The NBA Finals have taken a brutal turn for the San Antonio Spurs, and all eyes — and criticism — are locked on one man: De’Aaron Fox. After a disastrous Game 4 collapse, the star guard found himself in the crosshairs for a head-scratching late-game decision. Instead of dribbling out the clock against the Knicks, Fox opted to force a score while being swarmed — a move that insiders now say could be the final straw in a relationship that’s reportedly been fraying for months.
Now, according to sources close to the situation, the Spurs may be secretly preparing to do the unthinkable: shop Fox this offseason. And the proposed destination? None other than the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Extension That’s Haunting San Antonio
Last summer, the Spurs handed Fox a massive $229 million extension that runs through the 2029-30 season. At the time, it felt like a commitment to a franchise cornerstone. But now, league insiders are reportedly whispering that deal has become an albatross — one of the worst contracts in the NBA relative to the team’s shifting identity.
“De’Aaron Fox has basically played himself into a scenario where the Spurs really need to think hard about his future,” ClutchPoints insider Brett Siegel allegedly said during a recent podcast. “But that extension? It’s a nightmare. Given where this team is going, that contract is probably the single biggest financial anchor in the league right now.”
Young Guns Are Gunning for His Starting Spot
Here’s where it gets even more dramatic. The reason Fox may be on the outs isn’t just one bad playoff moment — it’s that the Spurs’ young guards have reportedly surpassed him on the depth chart. Rookie Stephon Castle has emerged as the go-to lead guard, and Dylan Harper is reportedly pushing hard for a starting role. According to team insiders, Castle and Harper have shown the kind of two-way consistency that Fox has allegedly struggled to provide.
“He is not the number one guard on this team anymore — it’s Stephon Castle,” Siegel reportedly continued. “He’s probably not even the number two because of Dylan Harper. If I’m the Spurs, I’m going straight to the Pelicans and saying, ‘I’ll give you De’Aaron Fox, plus three or four first-round picks, for Trey Murphy III and Jordan Poole.’”
What a Trade Could Mean for the Spurs
The logic, according to multiple reports, is that unloading Fox’s massive deal — even if it means attaching valuable draft capital — would give San Antonio financial flexibility and address their most glaring needs: wing defense and secondary shot creation. Murphy III, a 6-foot-8 two-way threat, would reportedly be a perfect fit alongside Victor Wembanyama, while Poole could provide instant offense off the bench or as a sixth man.
But the trade wouldn’t come cheap. The Spurs would reportedly have to swallow taking back Poole’s own hefty contract, which runs through 2026-27 and pays him over $30 million per season. Still, sources claim the front office is seriously examining the numbers, especially with the dreaded second apron looming over their long-term planning.
Breaking Down the Fallout
If the deal goes through, it would send shockwaves through the league. Fox, once seen as the veteran leader of a rising Spurs squad, would be dealt for a package built around youth and cap relief. Fans are reportedly buzzing about whether this signals a full rebuild around Wembanyama, Castle, and Harper — or if the Spurs believe Poole can rediscover his Golden State form.
For now, nothing is set in stone. But one thing is clear: the clock is reportedly ticking on De’Aaron Fox in San Antonio, and the Pelicans may be the perfect trade partner to make everyone’s offseason a lot more interesting.
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