Spurs fans better hope NBA expansion will solve costly De'Aaron Fox error

News of NBA expansion could help the San Antonio Spurs solve a potential De'Aaron Fox issue before it becomes a larger problem. By now, many Spurs fans already know about the prospect of an expansion draft.

In the event of an expansion draft, teams can protect nine players from being selected by a new franchise. That could give San Antonio a unique opportunity to get rid of Fox's expensive max contract by unprotecting him.

That's not to say Fox won't have a bounce-back season this year, but his contract currently looks like a potential albatross. Let's say he does have a strong season, and he helps the Spurs win a championship; even then, teams may be hesitant to take on the remaining four years of his max contract in a trade.

NBA expansion gifts the Spurs a unique De'Aaron Fox opportunity

Of course, in that scenario, an expansion draft could allow San Antonio to get off of his contract without hassle by unprotecting him. In that case, Seattle or Las Vegas would be free to draft him, and they might be tempted to do so.

After all, he will be at least a two-time All-Star and only 30 years old by the time Seattle and Las Vegas are set to join the NBA. Looking back at the last expansion draft in 2004, it's clear that there's usually a massive lack of talent available.

However, even if Fox is only as good as he was last season, he'd still be far better than the players normally available in expansion drafts. If Las Vegas or Seattle drafts Fox, it would give the Spurs a clean break and allow them to begin a new era with Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper.

De'Aaron Fox is a luxury for the Spurs, not a need

While the Spurs could definitely use the best version of Fox, he is a luxury rather than a need. Long-term, Wembanyama, Castle, and Harper are projected to be the Spurs' big three, leaving no room for Fox.

The team can afford to hold onto Fox for this season and next before things get very expensive. However, an expansion draft gives them an out in case they aren't able to trade Fox and slash salary in the same deal.

An expansion draft is still a couple of seasons away at the earliest, giving Fox time to course correct. Hopefully, he'll play well over the next couple of seasons and help the Spurs win a championship or even two. In doing so, his trade value may recover, but if it doesn't, an expansion draft gives San Antonio another option.

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