De’Aaron Fox has solely performed 17 video games with the San Antonio Spurs to date, however there may be already rather a lot at stake. He just lately signed a 4-year max extension price $229 million, placing strain on him to stay as much as expectations. Which may be exhausting sufficient to do, but it surely’s made difficult by his having to share the ball.
For Fox to thrive in San Antonio, he’ll must coexist with a number of gifted individuals. He’ll not solely must discover ways to play with fellow star Victor Wembanyama but additionally with reigning Rookie of the 12 months Stephon Fortress and 2025 second total decide Dylan Harper.
Working with Wembanyama needs to be straightforward sufficient with them seemingly being a tailored pick-and-roll pairing. The Spurs have not had a guard like Fox who can get into the paint at will through the Wembanyama period and that may very well be enormous.
De’Aaron Fox must coexist with two different Spurs guards
With Wembanyama setting screens for him, Fox would be capable to use his velocity to show the nook and assault the paint. That will drive the opposing massive man to retreat to maintain from being blown by.
In flip, that ought to free Wembanyama up for loads of wide-open threes. Earlier than his 2024-25 season ended prematurely, he was on tempo to set the Spurs’ franchise report for made threes. Put even an honest quantity of capturing round these two, and the Spurs ought to be capable to fry groups on offense.
That’s all properly and good, however Fox must work out find out how to play with Fortress and Harper. None of them are good shooters, however the finish purpose will doubtless be to pair the three of them along with Wembanyama and presumably Jeremy Sochan. That will be an amazing potential pairing, however that may very well be a deadly flaw if Fox is not capable of adapt.
Fox has to alter his sport to suit with the Spurs
Fox is not the best shooter on the planet, as a profession 33.0% 3-point shooter, however he is not shy about taking them. He tried 6.1 3-point makes an attempt per sport final season, which at the very least retains defenses trustworthy since he has no downside taking these pictures.
Taking part in with Wembanyama and at the very least one different playmaking guard signifies that he’ll in all probability be enjoying extra off-ball. In consequence, he must get extra comfy recognizing up.
Even enhancing to being a 35% 3-point shooter on excessive quantity would make a giant distinction, given how mild on shooters the Spurs are. He’ll nonetheless play lots with the ball however must tweak his sport to accommodate different Spurs who want the ball; if he can, then the Spurs may be capable to make a Fox, Harper, and Fortress trio work.
All advised, Fox must alter his sport to thrive as a member of the Spurs, with him having to play extra off-ball. Will probably be a giant adjustment, but when he can, then the Spurs can play some unorthodox lineups that might wreak havoc on the remainder of the NBA.
