Spurs' high-stakes De'Aaron Fox decision comes with a looming deadline

Lost in all the trade rumors surrounding the San Antonio Spurs this summer is star De'Aaron Fox and his upcoming contract extension. Fox will be eligible for an extension in August, and it could prove significant to the team's long-term flexibility.

Fox is eligible for a four-year, $228 million extension that would keep him under contract for the next five seasons, including his last year of his current contract. At 27 and a half years old, the Spurs would be paying Fox through his age 32 season, when he'd be making as much as $60 million.

Even with the salary cap expected to rise 10% each season, which would help to lower the percentage of the cap his salary takes up, that's still a risky price point. To that point, NBA insider John Hollinger recently mentioned on the Hollinger and Duncan podcast a few possible alternatives that could help the Spurs.

Will the Spurs extend De'Aaron Fox's summer?

One potential option Hollinger floated was San Antonio signing him to around 25% of the salary cap rather than a 30% max contract. That would significantly lower his potential $228 million extension. In that case, that would obviously be advantageous to the Spurs, who would be able to pay him at least $7 million less per season.

Still, that seems unlikely, as Hollinger noted that the Spurs and Fox may have already worked out an agreement prior to him being traded to San Antonio. Another option he floated was the Spurs signing him to a 30% max contract, but making the fourth year a team option.

Or even a third-year player option. That would give the team an out that would either coincide with the final year of Stephon Castle's rookie contract or projected number two overall pick Dylan Harper's rookie deal.

Hollinger notes that Fox could be eligible to be traded at next year's trade deadline, but that would depend on when he signs a potential extension. With the 2025-26 season's trade deadline set at February 6th, Fox would have to sign his new extension on or before August 6th in order to be trade eligible next year.

Should the Spurs consider trading De'Aaron Fox?

Trading Fox a year into his tenure with the Spurs would be surprising considering that he wanted to play in San Antonio after his relationship with the Sacramento Kings broke down. Even so, San Antonio has what appears to be their backcourt of the future with Castle and Harper.

Extending Fox would potentially increase his trade value with his next team being able to ensure that he'd be around for the long term. On the other hand, a pricey new deal could deter some teams.

There is also the possibility that San Antonio could make a three-headed monster guard rotation of Fox, Castle, and Harper work. In that case, price will play a huge factor in the long-term viability of the Spurs, with Fox hopefully willing to take less than the full max. Even taking a four-year, $218 million extension would save the team $2.5 million a season, giving them more breathing room.

All in all, the Spurs will have to be careful when signing Fox to an extension this summer. Timing and cost will be everything, with him potentially being eligible to be traded six months after being extended and San Antonio hoping to sign him to an affordable long-term deal. Whether that happens remains to be seen, however.