The Spurs are just one De'Aaron Fox-to-Rockets trade from unlocking their future

With two rising stars in Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle, the San Antonio Spurs must trade De'Aaron Fox, and the Houston Rockets may be the ideal landing spot. Especially after Castle and Harper's preseason play. Making a big decision based on the preseason might seem like a knee-jerk reaction, but it's clear that the Spurs' future is Victor Wembanyama, Castle, and Harper.

Despite that, the Spurs haven't appeared interested in trading Fox. However, a proposed trade by Bleacher Report would certainly be worth considering. Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz recently proposed a deal that would send Fox to the Rockets in exchange for Fred VanVleet and Jabari Smith Jr.

Depending on the pick situation, San Antonio would be wise to consider such an offer if it were actually on the table. After all, VanVleet would be a solid stopgap point guard and is on a massive expiring contract.

He'd slot in perfectly with the second unit, giving them an experienced playmaker and shooter. Equally as important, VanVleet would allow San Antonio to start Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle together.

Proposed De'Aaron Fox trade would help both the Spurs and Rockets

As for Smith Jr., he is on a 5-year, $122 million deal, but it's still mostly a theoretical player. Houston seems to believe in him, but he has yet to break out entering his fourth season, and the Rockets may instead prioritize playmaking.

The Rockets are banking on VanVleet being healthy and giving them enough playmaking to improve their middling offense. That is a risky proposition, and they may be willing to take a chance on Fox given that he is a dramatic upgrade.

His contract is considered to be an albatross at the moment. Yet when you subtract Smith Jr.'s contract from Fox's, they'd only be paying between $25 million and $35 million more over the next four seasons than they would already are. That might be more reasonable for the Rockets than for any other team.

Despite the two teams being arch rivals, they actually make perfect sense as trade partners. Fox is a depressed asset at the moment, and teams likely know that his NBA Finals flame-out isn't an accurate representation of his talent.

Would the Rockets and Spurs agree to this trade?

Fox will get a chance to prove himself over the first half of this season, with neither team likely to make a big deal before the trade deadline. That would give the Rockets time to see if he'd be a perfect option for their team.

If Fox plays well, then his trade value will be higher and might entice the Rockets to make a move, especially if Houston's offense hasn't dramatically improved. For the Spurs part, the prospect of trading Fox and lessening their financial burden may be enticing.

VanVleet is on an expiring contract, and they could let him walk after this season or bring him back at a dramatically reduced rate. As for Smith Jr., he might have enough trade value as the former third overall pick to be re-traded later.

Or, he could give the Spurs a versatile defensive big man, though his offense can be hit or miss. The main goal of the trade would be to free up Castle and Harper to start together while not costing the Silver and Black an arm and a leg to offload. This trade would accomplish that; it would just force them to trade with the rival Rockets.

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