De'Aaron Fox Trade Rumors Could Heat Up If He Starts Season Strong

The San Antonio Spurs have gone from rebuilding to reloading faster than almost anyone expected. After a Finals run that turned heads across the league, the silver and black are hungry for another shot at the title. But as the franchise tilts its timeline around Victor Wembanyama, a quiet question is starting to form in the backcourt: What happens to De’Aaron Fox?

For now, the Spurs insist Fox is a critical piece. He’s a veteran guard with scoring punch and playoff experience, the kind of stabilizing force every young contender needs. But San Antonio’s backcourt is crowded, his contract is massive, and one league insider believes Fox could become a trade candidate — but only under one specific condition.

According to Heavy.com’s Sean Deveney, that condition is a strong start to the season. Deveney laid it out plainly: “We’re putting De’Aaron Fox back on the board because, though it will be tough to trade a guy with four years and $223 million on his upcoming contract, he does figure to crop back up in NBA trade rumors if, in fact, he plays well coming out of the gate. He does not have a long-term future in San Antonio, but he does have a long-term contract.”

That’s a bold claim, but it’s not baseless. Fox, at 28, is young enough to be a core piece, yet San Antonio’s championship window is built around Wembanyama — a once-in-a-generation talent who accelerates every timeline. If Fox plays too well early, rival contenders might come calling. If he struggles, the Spurs might be stuck with an expensive contract they no longer need. Either way, the next few months could define Fox’s future in Texas.

So what would a trade actually look like? And more importantly, would the Spurs benefit from moving him?