Dylan Harper made Spurs' De'Aaron Fox decision obvious in NBA Finals

The San Antonio Spurs dropped the NBA Finals to the New York Knicks, and Dylan Harper proved he should be the team’s starting point guard moving forward over De’Aaron Fox. The rookie had 25 points in Game 5 and was the Spurs' best offensive player with the series on the line. Harper averaged 18.0 points, 3.0 assists, and 6.4 rebounds in 31.0 minutes per game in the NBA Finals. He shot over 49.2 percent from the field and kept getting buckets off the bench as Fox struggled. 

It wasn’t just Game 5. Fox was dealing with an injury throughout the playoffs, but this is a max contract player. He scored seven points in the decisive game on three of 15 shooting from the field. He shot 34.2 percent from the floor in the NBA Finals. Fans know he struggles to make threes, and many were calling for Harper to overtake Fox for a while.

Harper looks like a superstar in the making. The 20-year-old will only get better from here. He already has five 20-point playoff games, despite not starting a single postseason game. Fox had just one in the final two rounds. This is Harper’s position moving forward. He earned it in this shocking NBA Finals run. 

Dylan Harper should be the Spurs' starting point guard over De’Aaron Fox

The number two overall draft pick in 2025 showed plenty of flashes in the regular season, but he took his game to another level in the playoffs. His ability to get to the rim, rebound, and make plays was impressive. Harper’s a star and may already be the Spurs’ second-best player. 

Stephon Castle is a future star in his own right. He is an elite defender and was San Antonio’s second-leading scorer in the playoffs. The 21-year-old is locked in as a starter. 

That leaves the Spurs with a difficult decision. Fox begins a four-year contract worth $221.7 million next season. The two-time All-Star is an elite scorer and playmaker.  The Spurs getting three top picks in three straight years has built them an impressive young trio. It is time to let them cook. That means moving on from Fox. 

Charles Barkley wanted the Spurs to do it at halftime of Game 5. 

Instead, head coach Mitch Johnson went with a three-guard lineup down the stretch. That is not ideal against the best teams in the NBA.

San Antonio should look to trade Fox for a wing or a forward that fits. Victor Wembanyama may already be the best player on the planet. The Spurs need to build around him. They have their backcourt of the present and future. The next move is a Fox trade that gets them the final piece of their championship roster. 

San Antonio had an incredible season. Nobody expected them to win the Western Conference and reach the NBA Finals. This was a young squad with virtually zero playoff experience coming in. That is how special Wemby is. For Harper to outshine him offensively in Game 5 shows the Spurs got three special young talents to build around for years to come.

The San Antonio Spurs should make Dylan Harper their starting point guard and move on from De’Aaron Fox. The NBA Finals made that clear. Fox is not a max contract player. Yes, he was injured in the playoffs, but Harper has a higher ceiling and may already be better. The Spurs can’t worry about feelings. They must maximize their roster to get Wemby a title. That means giving Harper the keys and trading away Fox. 

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