San Antonio Spurs General Manager Brian Wright has stated that the team has "ultimate faith" in guard De'Aaron Fox, amid speculation about his future with the team following their NBA Finals defeat.
Fox, who was named the Clutch Player of the Year for his regular-season performance, struggled during the NBA Finals series against the New York Knicks. The Spurs lost the series in five games, with Fox averaging just 12.8 points in the Finals and 11.8 in the Western Conference Finals, a significant drop from his regular-season average of 18.6 points per game.
During Game 5 of the Finals, Fox shot 3-for-15 from the field. A key moment in Game 4 saw his attempted layup in the final 15 seconds blocked by the Knicks' OG Anunoby, which contributed to New York's 29-point comeback victory.
Despite these struggles, the Spurs did not bench Fox during critical moments of the Finals. The team, which fielded the youngest roster in the NBA this season, acquired Fox via trade and he is set to begin a four-year, $229 million contract extension in the 2026-27 season.
Wright's comments come as the Spurs also have developing player Dylan Harper, who impressed during the playoffs, potentially creating a logjam at the guard position. Some have suggested that Harper's emergence could lead to Fox being traded. However, Wright's definitive statement aims to quell such rumors, asserting that "there’s no wavering in that at all" regarding the team's belief in Fox.
The Spurs' commitment to Fox, even with his significant contract, suggests a long-term vision for the team, which is focused on developing its young core.