The San Antonio Spurs have a generational talent to build around in Victor Wembanyama, a high-level floor general in De'Aaron Fox, and all the options in the world this summer.
Between their trade assets, young talents, and second-overall draft pick, the Spurs could add an established superstar or draft a youngster brimming with talent. Either way, the Spurs heavily invested four first-round picks in the trade that brought Fox to town, and he only has one season left on his contract.
However, a new extension seems to be on the horizon.
"Expect a new contract for Fox to be finalized on Aug. 3, the first day he's allowed to sign an extension," predicted ESPN's Bobby Marks. "Fox is eligible to sign a four-year, $229 million maximum deal."
If the Spurs give Fox the max, and there's no indication that they won't, then it stands to reason that they won't have the money needed to add Giannis Antetokounmpo long-term. With Wembanyama nearing the end of his rookie deal, money will be tied up elsewhere.
Fox made it clear that he wanted to be a Spur, but for now, fans should have no reason to think that he will agree to a pay cut.
"I wanted to go to San Antonio," said Fox after the trade. "So, a lot of people are mad at me, saying I handcuffed the team by giving them a destination. Well, this is my career. If anybody else is in my position, you'd do the same thing. It's not my job to help build your team. I'm not about to just go where they want me to go. I wanted to have a destination."
If the Spurs stay the course this summer, a rotation of Wembanyama, Fox, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Julian Champagnie, and whoever they select 14th overall is deep, talented, and should be ready for a playoff push.
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