Spurs must handle newest star carefully during high-stakes negotiations

Lost in the hoopla of the NBA Draft and free agency is the upcoming De'Aaron Fox extension. Fox's extension can't be signed until August 3rd, giving the Spurs and Fox a chance to negotiate.

When he was acquired from the Sacramento Kings, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that he would get the full max. In fact, many fans suspected that he and the Spurs had already worked out an agreement.

That's considering that Fox chose San Antonio, something that many other stars haven't done, and steered his way to the Spurs to play with Victor Wembanyama. As a result, it may put the Spurs in a bind.

The Spurs must be careful in De'Aaron Fox contract negotiations

Stars talk to one another, and it would be one thing for a star to request a trade and to end up in San Antonio, only for the Spurs to be perceived as penny-pinching. Still, the Spurs probably shouldn't give Fox the full 4-year, $223 million max extension.

The cap raise that everyone expected would increase the cap by 10% likely won't happen, with the first year of the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) only producing a 7% raise. That means that a max Fox extension could outpace the raises in the cap.

That normally might not be a huge deal for a star's contract. But with the restrictive CBA making it harder for teams to have multiple stars, it means that Fox's potential extension may age like milk.

Fox playing well over the course of that extension would help to minimize the potential downside of a max extension to an extent. That would not only help the Spurs on the floor by potentially helping them make several deep playoff runs but also keep their options open going forward.

If he, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle can't coexist, then he may be the odd man out if they look like future stars. That might eventually lead to a Fox trade.

De'Aaron Fox's extension could affect the Spurs' rebuild

Hopefully Fox lives up to expectations, and the Spurs can figure out how to maximize their 3-headed guard trio. Having three players who can relentlessly attack the basket and create for themselves and others while being decent to good defensively is a rarity. Whether that is something that is sustainable is up in the air, and the Spurs should operate as though it isn't.

Trying to sign him to a 3-year, $150 million extension, as NBA expert John Hollinger suggested, is probably the best option for both sides. The Spurs getting three years guaranteed at far less than the full max would be a great concession. That's considering the average yearly salary for a Fox max would be $55.32 million, saving them at least $5 million a season.

From Fox's side, he could hit free agency again at 31 and could be in for one last big payday. That would coincide with the start of Harper's extension and give San Antonio a chance to restructure their team and possibly move forward with Castle, Harper, and Wembanyama.

With any luck, the Spurs will be able to make the most of those years with Fox before having to potentially part with him due to the CBA. In the meantime, nailing negotiations with Fox without alienating him will be key to the Spurs long-term