Spurs’ biggest offseason blunder was a possible trade they may have left on the table

The start of training camp is just weeks away for the San Antonio Spurs, but one move they didn't make still raises questions of what if. The play of De'Aaron Fox in his first full season with the Spurs left a lot to be desired.

Yes, he made the NBA All-Star team, but he averaged nearly seven points fewer than he did just a season and a half ago as a member of the Sacramento Kings. That is already a concern, as is the fact that San Antonio will soon pay Fox the max. However, they had a chance to get out from under that questionable deal this offseason.

The Spurs' rivals, the Houston Rockets, had a similarly quiet offseason but might have been open to a Kevin Durant-for-Fox swap. While Fox was coming off an awful NBA Finals performance, a player-for-player swap might have actually made some sense for Houston as well as San Antonio.

The Spurs should've considered trading De'Aaron Fox for Kevin Durant

Durant is among the most polarizing players in the NBA, and he seemed to wear out his welcome in Houston last season. That's despite him having a strong season. The Rockets also need a point guard.

Had the Spurs offered Fox and perhaps another asset or even two, it might have been a realistic trade possibility. Durant, despite his personality, would have been a far better fit for the Spurs than Fox.

Even if it might have cost them the Atlanta Hawks' 2027 first and another asset. Remember, Fox is set to start a five-year max extension while Durant only has one guaranteed year left on his contract.

After passing on a Durant trade, the Spurs have clearly chosen Fox

Trading for Durant could have helped the Spurs in both the short term and the long term. In the short term, Durant would have given them an elite offensive player more than capable of punishing teams, say, for instance, the New York Knicks.

In the long term, trading for Durant and having him play a season, possibly two, would save the Spurs from having to pay Fox a max for the next five years. Of course that door is likely closed.

Instead, the Spurs appear resigned to trying to make it work with Fox. It will take some adjustments to maximize him, namely having him play more with the ball in his hands.

If they can get more out of Fox, then he could make all the difference in San Antonio's championship hopes. Still, they missed a chance to trade him for Durant.

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