Potential date for Fox's inevitable surgery would lead to good things for Spurs

De'Aaron Fox has played 14 games in silver and black since the trade that brought him to the Alamo City from Sacramento. He's only been averaging 19 points per game since he's arrived, while shooting poorly from the field. However, nobody is panicking. Adjusting to new surroundings and unfamiliar teammates takes time.

Things have been awkward for Fox since he landed on the Spurs' roster. He hasn't had a chance to be coached by Gregg Popovich, the team was starting a month-long road trip, and Victor Wembanyama was ruled out for the season five games into the New Orleans native's new tenure.

None of that takes his own health into account. Swipa has been playing with a dislocated pinky on his shooting hand all season. Fans have wondered when he would shut it down to get the surgery, with any hopes of the postseason lost when the Wemby announcement came out. After the loss to the Kings, he finally answered that question.

Fox getting surgery early is the best thing for him and the Spurs

There would be three very real benefits to a decision to get that finger taken care of before the season is over. The most obvious is the increased chances of losing more games to gain more favorable odds for a higher draft pick. The upcoming class is stacked with talent, and San Antonio needs much more of that to build this team into the contender they're meant to be.

They haven't needed much assistance in the losing department lately, but the Spurs aren't completely devoid of talent, so on any given night, they can play well enough to win. The victory against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 2 is a perfect example of that.

The second benefit of an early surgery is the added experience Stephon Castle would receive as the offense's initiator. The rook is having a fantastic season. He'll easily win Rookie of the Year at this rate. More playing time and added responsibility will only make him a better player, as he continues to sharpen his understanding of NBA basketball.

The final benefit would be Fox's ability to start his recovery process immediately. He and Victor will both be sidelined, preventing them from working together at the beginning of the offseason. Once they're both healthy enough, they can resume perfecting their chemistry. These two, along with Castle, will lead the team next season, so being on the same page is important.

Time can be San Antonio's biggest asset in preparation for next season, but they must use it wisely. Their decisions may decide whether next year's squad hits the ground running or stumbles out of the gate.