Major Decline! What Is De'Aaron Fox’s True Level with the Spurs?

Fox’s Disastrous Return to Sacramento

Playing against your former team is always emotional.

For De’Aaron Fox, his first game back in Sacramento since being traded to the Spurs was supposed to be special.

According to sources, he had this game marked on his calendar for weeks.

But when the moment arrived, Fox completely flopped.

In 33 minutes, he managed just 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists, shooting 6-of-17 from the field and 0-of-6 from three.

By the final buzzer, his plus-minus was a dreadful -19, the second-worst on the team.

And here’s the real kicker—when Fox was off the floor, the Spurs actually outscored the Kings by one point.

The Problem: It’s Not Just One Game

Bad games happen. Even stars struggle against their old teams.

But the real issue isn’t this one game—it’s a much bigger trend.

Since arriving in San Antonio, Fox’s production has collapsed.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Before the trade (with the Kings):

• 25.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.1 APG

After the trade (with the Spurs):

• 19.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 6.7 APG

He’s scored 30+ just once in 14 games.

He’s failed to reach 25 points in all but three games.

And he’s already had multiple single-digit scoring nights—including 9 points against Orlando and 7 against Houston.

His shooting numbers have taken a huge hit:

• Field Goal Percentage: 43.0% (2nd-worst of his career)
• Three-Point Percentage: 24.4% (worst of his career)
• True Shooting Percentage: 51.9% (2nd-worst of his career)

When Fox was traded, some Spurs fans thought he could push the team toward a playoff spot.

Even after Victor Wembanyama’s season-ending injury, there was hope that Fox could at least keep them competitive.

Instead, the opposite has happened.

Fox's Impact: Spurs Are Worse When He Plays

Since the trade deadline:

• When Fox is on the floor, the Spurs give up 119.6 points per 100 possessions and have a net rating of -8.1.
• When Fox is off the floor, the Spurs allow just 111.2 points per 100 possessions and have a net rating of +2.1.

Yes, you read that correctly—the Spurs are significantly better without Fox.

That’s a brutal reality for a player who was supposed to be a franchise-caliber addition.

What’s Causing Fox’s Struggles?

There are a few possible explanations for Fox’s steep decline:

1. He’s Playing Through Injury

Fox has been battling a dislocated left pinky all season.

The injury has forced him to tape his pinky to his ring finger, affecting his ball-handling and shooting.

Reports suggest that if the Spurs fall out of playoff contention, Fox will undergo surgery immediately.

2. He’s Struggling to Fit in San Antonio’s System

The Spurs already had a crowded backcourt with:

• Devin Vassell
• Jeremy Sochan
• Malaki Branham
• Blake Wesley

Now, they’ve added Fox, but his role is smaller than expected.

His usage rate has dropped from 28.1% (in Sacramento) to 25.5% (in San Antonio).

His average time of possession has fallen from 5.7 minutes per game to 5.2 minutes per game.

He’s simply not controlling the ball as much—and it’s hurting his production.

3. Maybe He Wasn’t as Good as We Thought

Fox’s elite reputation was built on his All-Star and All-NBA season in 2022-23.

But even then, he was never an efficient scorer.

This season in Sacramento, before the trade, his shooting splits were just 46.9% / 32.2% / 82.9%.

From December until the trade, Fox’s numbers had already dipped:

• 22.8 PPG
• 44.4% FG
• 30.9% 3PT
• 54.0% true shooting

And looking at his entire career, Fox has never been an efficient scorer.

At one point, he was a solid mid-range shooter.

But when he started increasing his three-point attempts, his efficiency collapsed—and he lost his mid-range touch as well.

Why Didn’t the Kings Give Fox a Max Contract?

Sacramento’s front office saw the writing on the wall.

Last offseason, the Kings offered Fox a three-year, $165 million extension.

Fox wanted five years, $300 million with a designated veteran max clause.

The Kings refused.

That’s when things started falling apart—and ultimately led to the trade.

Now, the problem belongs to the Spurs.

How Should San Antonio Handle Fox’s Contract?

Fox’s current deal expires in two years, and his next extension will be a critical decision.

But based on his current play, he isn’t worth a five-year, $300 million deal.

In fact, even $30 million per year might be too much.

That puts the Spurs in a tough spot.

They traded three first-round picks for him—so they can’t just let him walk for nothing.

But committing too much money could cripple their long-term flexibility.

A five-year, $200M-$250M deal might be a fair compromise.

But will Fox accept it?

And if he doesn’t, what’s San Antonio’s next move?

The last thing the Spurs need is a contract that locks them into mediocrity—especially when their future belongs to Wembanyama, Vassell, and the young core.

Whatever happens, this offseason will be a defining moment for the franchise.