The case for trading De'Aaron Fox is getting harder for Spurs to ignore

I've changed my mind on the De'Aaron Fox situation, and now, I'm hoping the Spurs will do the same. At the end of the season, they doubled down on their commitment to the maxed-out point guard, but like me, they've also been allotted time to consider their current situation. Multiple things can be true at once, and veteran San Antonio Express-News journalist Mike Finger laid them all out perfectly.

Finger's points are pretty inarguable. Dylan Harper performed so far above expectations that they should be forced to re-evaluate their stance on a long-term partnership with Fox. The best thing for both parties may be to move on as long as the franchise can find a deal that works for everyone. That will be the tricky part, but don't believe people who tell you his value has tanked. Why would it?

Swipa sacrificed a lead role to be more of a secondary player. From leading a team, averaging the most shots and points on the roster, to a cog in a machine led by Victor Wembanyama. His willingness to take a backseat yet step up when necessary helped lead a young team to an unexpected 62 wins and a trip to the NBA Finals. That will matter.

Fox will have increased his value in the eyes of plenty

As fans, we react to things strongly. Our emotions are so deeply tied to the team's success that overreactions occur daily. Just look at social media (or don't for your mental health). It's a cesspool of negativity and snap judgments on players who spent their entire lives training for these high-stakes moments.

However, executives aren't wired that way, and they usually have a different opinion from the public. Business decisions are approached with nuance, and there will be an acknowledgment of his contributions as well as the injury he was fighting through at the end of the postseason.

Not to mention, there are a bunch of teams that could use a point guard, and they don't all have high draft picks to pluck one from the 2026 draft class. The incoming group of ball handlers has been represented as a hindrance to a potential trade for San Antonio, but those people are looking at the wrong potential trade partners.

There are good teams that could use a point guard like De'Aaron Fox

Orlando, Houston, Phoenix, Minnesota, Miami, and the LA Clippers are just a few teams that could use a new playmaker. Now, the Pelicans have reportedly indicated a willingness to listen to offers for Trey Murphy—something they were resistant to before. But while that would be a fantastic option for San Antonio, it's unlikely the front office would send Fox to such a desolate organization.

Swipa hasn't done anything wrong to earn the Kawhi Leonard treatment. Being sent to Toronto may have worked out for the Klaw by means of a championship, but he never wanted to go there. That didn't stop the Spurs from kicking him across the northern border, though.

Fox's situation is completely different, and the Spurs would likely want to find him a spot where he can thrive with a chance to compete. It's well-deserved for a man who showed up, made an all-star team in his first full year with the team, helped steward the young talent, and was a key piece to an unforgettable season.

The original plan was to stay connected for a long time. But plans change, and being adaptable is imperative to sustained success. We know the Spurs know that because they've been one of the best-run organizations in North American sports for decades. That's why we can't rule out a Fox trade, and maybe it'll be better that way.

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