Welcome to Pounding the Rock’s 2024-25 participant opinions! The collection will take a look at the gamers who completed the season with the San Antonio Spurs on assured contracts and who performed consequential minutes and/or an important position (so no two-way gamers as a result of we hardly noticed them this yr, and no gamers who had been traded away).
De’Aaron Fox
2024-25 stats (complete): 62 video games, 23.5 factors, 6.3 assists, 46.3 FG%, 31.0 3PT%
Spurs stats: 17 video games, 19.7 factors, 6.8 assists, 44.3 FG%, 27.4 3PT%
Contract Standing: 1 yr, $34.8 million remaining (extension eligible)
Age: 27
Because the Spurs entered their second season of the Victor Wembaynama period, a lingering query was the place his first star teammate would come from (as a result of as everyone knows, it takes a minimum of two to tango nowadays). Would somebody from inside develop into the position, or would he come by way of the draft or free company? It turned out, the reply was commerce. As January rumors swirled that the Spurs had been engaged on buying De’Aaron Fox from the Sacramento Kings, followers had been cautiously optimistic however knew to not get their hopes too excessive.
Then, it truly occurred. Not solely did the Spurs pull off arguably their largest commerce in franchise historical past (a minimum of amongst those who had been for optimistic causes), however they did it with out giving up a single core participant. Three fringe/non-rotation gamers (Tre Jones, Zach Collins, Sidy Cissoko) and solely considered one of their very own draft picks — as properly two protected picks that weren’t prone to convert within the first spherical and Minnesota’s 2031 choose — is a steal of a deal for a star, and in restricted enjoying time, Fox confirmed what the longer term may maintain.
Regardless of enjoying by a torn tendon in his thumb since coaching camp, Fox continued to submit his typical stat line with the Kings earlier than the Spurs acquired him at the start of February. His arrival marked hope throughout a tough stretch, with the Spurs having slogged by a brutal January schedule and simply setting out on the Rodeo Street Journey. They received a win in Atlanta whereas Fox led the staff with 13 assists in his first look, and regardless of clearly attempting to defer to his teammates as they constructed chemistry, there have been promising indicators.
Sadly, he solely received to play in 5 video games along with his new star teammate earlier than Wemby was dominated out for the remainder of the season with deep vein thrombosis. It ended up costing the Spurs useful team-building time, and whereas Fox would go on to play of their subsequent 12 video games, it was turning into clear that the play-in was simply out of attain with out Wemby. Maybe figuring out what was to return, Fox put out his greatest efficiency with a close to triple-double in a house win over the Mavs on March 12 earlier than he was shut down for the rest of the season to get his thumb mounted, bringing an finish to a short however promising Spurs debut.
Wanting forward
There actually wasn’t an excessive amount of to remove from Fox’s first 17 video games as a Spur, however the future is what’s essential. He brings a number of intangibles that the Spurs have been missing in recent times: a go-to scorer, shot-creator, somebody who may take among the defensive strain off of Wemby, and the clutch gene as a former Clutch Participant of the Yr. Whereas his taking pictures numbers took a minor dip in San Antonio, it might probably presumably be chalked as much as a scarcity of chemistry and his thumb, which has now been surgically repaired.
Though shutting him down could have price the Spurs a shot on the play-in (they received shut as they received extra within the final month whereas different play-in contenders struggled), what’s extra essential is the sooner restoration time means Fox can spend rather more time working towards along with his new teammates within the offseason, and hopefully Wemby — who appears to be cleared for contact sports activities now — will quickly be a part of him. (Oh, and the Spurs ought to have a top-10 draft choose, so there’s that profit as properly.)
Contract-wise, Fox is eligible to signal an extension this summer season, which he’s anticipated to do. (The Spurs seemingly wouldn’t have traded for him if there was any concern that he wouldn’t.) Fox turned down a 3-year, $165 million extension supply from the Kings final fall, however he’s eligible for as much as 4-years, $229 million with the Spurs. Since successful appears to be his final objective (and enjoying for the Spurs has been a dream of his), he could also be keen to barter down a bit, and each side appear keen to work with one another.
It might have been nice to see extra of the Wemby-Fox duo this season, however the future is way brighter with him in-tow, and expectations might be a lot larger going ahead.
Prime Efficiency
March 12 vs. Dallas Mavericks: 32 factors, 9 rebounds, 11 assists, 12-25 taking pictures
Closing Grade: Incomplete (A- for complete season)
Up subsequent: Julian Champagnie
Earlier Critiques:
Bismack Biyombo, Charles Bassey, Malaki Branham
Blake Wesley
Sandro Mamukelashvili
