Report: Fox Not Tradable! Harper Willing to Be Patient: Staying as Sixth Man Next Season

On July 17, per TA's Jared Weiss, San Antonio's lineup is largely finalized—Fox is untouchable in trade talks, and Harper is open to remaining as the sixth man.

The Spurs lost to the Knicks in this year's Finals, missing out on the championship. Fox struggled throughout the series. He is now set to begin a four-year, $222 million maximum contract extension.

Rookie Dylan Harper's standout performances and second-year guard Castle's growth into the team's offensive anchor led outsiders to question Fox's long-term future in San Antonio.

However, multiple team and league sources indicate that the Spurs' front office still views Fox as a key piece of the franchise's future. They say general manager Brian Wright's public support for Fox at the end of June has never wavered. Wright stated in a June 24 interview: "We have 100% trust in De'Aaron—in his on-court ability, his contributions to the team, and what he means to this organization. That trust has not diminished one bit."

Fox became the main focus of criticism for the Spurs' Finals loss. A defining moment came at the end of Game 4: with the Spurs leading by one point and the shot clock expiring, he chose to drive for a tough layup and was blocked—arguably the most costly mistake among many Spurs errors in the series. Fox averaged just 12.8 points per game in the Finals, shooting 34.3% from the field and a dismal 25% from three-point range.

The Spurs' front office downplayed the impact of his playoff struggles, attributing them to an ankle injury that limited his performance, and insisted the real issue was that many excellent scoring opportunities failed to convert. According to sources, given Fox's current contract situation, a trade is not feasible at this stage; his rebound in performance next postseason and restoration of his trade value are critical to the Spurs' backcourt transition plan.

Castle has secured a starting spot. Although the team occasionally uses three guards late in games, they won't start all three unless one evolves into a consistent elite shooter. Despite Harper's promising rookie season and potential to eventually start, it's unlikely to happen next season—unless Fox voluntarily moves to the bench.

The Spurs still have high expectations for the young guard. Multiple scouts, coaches, and league executives are impressed that at just 20 years old, he reached the highest stage of the Finals, showing mature finishing ability, frontline perimeter defense, and poise under pressure.

An anonymous league source says Harper has proven in the Finals that he is on the path to superstardom. People familiar with Harper's mindset indicate the young guard is willing to be patient, accepting the sixth-man role next season while gradually adapting to the full-time ball-handling and playmaking responsibilities.

Even though Fox's performance collapsed toward the end of the playoffs, he still holds a significant advantage over Castle and Harper: the ability to consistently read the game's pace, orchestrate the offense, and create scoring opportunities beyond the initial set play. While the two young guards develop this skill, Fox's experience is indispensable to the team.

Victor Wembanyama voluntarily gave up his supermax extension eligibility, partly to free up salary cap space for the team—so that when Harper's rookie contract expires in a few years, they can retain him. This move also set an example for the entire roster: the front office hopes every player is willing to make sacrifices for the team.