The San Antonio Spurs are still waiting to see star De’Aaron Fox make his season debut, but it's anyone's guess how he will look. Don't get me wrong, he should be highly productive with his ability to get into the paint at will, but how will he fit in?
He hasn't played with Dylan Harper and has barely played with Stephon Castle, and even less with Victor Wembanyama. If anything, incorporating him into the rotation could bring growing pains, almost as if the Spurs are starting their season over again.
Fortunately, in the long run, they will be better for it—especially after the team's two most recent losses to the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers. Fox should have plenty to offer the Spurs' suddenly rudderless offense and, yes, even help on defense, with him being a pickpocket.
However, in the short term, Castle will see his usage drop, Wembanyama's too, and Harper will see his minutes cut once he returns, as NBA Draft expert Sam Vecenie points out.
The Spurs need De'Aaron Fox, but they'll have some growing pains
On the plus side, that means Jordan McLaughlin will likely be out of the rotation, which isn't to say he's played poorly. The opposite, actually. He's been a fine fourth guard who has had to play a role as a third guard, even shooting the ball well in limited minutes.
That aside, Fox is simply better, and improving those minutes means the Spurs are that much better, especially with Harper now on the mend. Castle has also struggled with turnovers in Fox's absence, averaging 5 per game, suggesting that he isn't point guard material.
That increases the need for Fox to take the ball out of his hands. That would allow for Castle to be a secondary playmaker who has the ball in his hands around 30 times per game, as opposed to 60 times per game.
That actually should help Castle and help the Spurs solve that increasingly concerning problem. Harper will see fewer minutes once he returns, but the upside is that Fox is the better scorer and can help to shoulder the offensive load that Wembanyama has largely carried.
The Spurs desperately need what Fox can provide
Without Fox, Wembanyama has had to play big minutes in a couple of the team's recent wins, with them having to ride him or risk not having enough offense to get the W. That may have come back to bite them with Wembanyama playing poorly against the Suns and Lakers.
Both the Suns and Lakers swarmed him, and, without another big offensive weapon, those teams doubled and triple-teamed him. That threw him off his game and also wore him down in the process. Having Fox means they could simply run the offense more through him, helping the Spurs' offense by keeping teams from loading up on Wembanyama.
In fact, Fox and Wembanyama should help each other thrive. Fox's speed and Wembanyama's shooting could make them a lethal pick-and-roll pairing. That would keep teams from doubling Wembanyama while also freeing Fox up for easy shots in the paint.
That can't come soon enough for Spurs fans, concerned about the team's recent play. It will take time for Fox to realize his full potential with the Spurs, but he should soon make his season debut and provide immediate help.