The NBA's trade landscape is heating up. While Zach LaVine, Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram, and Nikola Vucevic continue to dominate headlines, a recent entrant to the trade block sent shockwaves through the association. Earlier this week, ESPN's Sham Charania reported that the Sacramento Kings opened discussions to trading former All-Star De'Aaron Fox.
Following the report, Fox was almost immediately linked to the San Antonio Spurs. The interest between the two parties is said to be mutual. The 27-year-old guard is only under contract for one and a half more seasons. He's slated to make $35 million this season and $37 million next before hitting unrestricted free agency.
San Antonio has their sights set on De'Aaron Fox
The Kings' openness to trading Fox largely stems from their belief that he will depart the organization in the 2026 offseason. As for Fox's preferred trade destination, San Antonio will operate with maximum salary cap space in the summer of 2026. Besides financial flexibility, the Spurs are one of the more intriguing teams in the NBA—largely due to Victor Wembanyama's sudden ascension to All-Star and franchise centerpiece at only 21.
The Spurs are already competitive, currently 21-24 and 12th in the rigorous Western Conference. However, San Antonio lacks several key components for an up-and-coming roster to fully blossom, including a franchise point guard to share the floor with 7-foot-4 Wembanyama. The Spurs drafted Stephon Castle and signed Chris Paul in the offseason, but the former is largely expected to play more of a combo-guard role moving forward, while the latter is a short-term bridge option.
While the Spurs' interest in Fox is relatively fresh, their sights have been set on improving the backcourt for quite some time. NBA Insider Jake Fischer via The Stein Line listed numerous guards the Spurs have monitored dating back to the 2024 offseason. San Antonio was reportedly interested in trading for Cleveland Cavaliers' Darius Garland before discussions were abruptly shut down.
The Spurs have an envisioned a future Giddey and Wembanyama pairing
Furthermore, Fischer named Charlotte Hornets' guard LaMelo Ball as a top target of San Antonio's. However, the Hornets have always rebuffed offers for their lone star. Lastly, Fischer threw out one more name that is certainly inexplicable. Chicago Bulls point guard Josh Giddey. Fischer stated, "…Giddey has likewise been a young guard that San Antonio has envisioned possibly pairing with Wembanyama down the road."
To recap, two-time All-Star Darius Garland, one-time All-NBA Third Teamer De'Aaron Fox, former Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball, and Josh Giddey? Yes, that's right, the latter of the quartet averages 11.5 points and 6.7 assists this season—not bad numbers by any means, but in comparison, Garland, Fox, and Ball all clear 21.5 points and 6.0 assists per game.
The tidbit in Fischer's latest was certainly out of nowhere. Nonetheless, the base-level understanding is that San Antonio is keen on adding a playmaker to its roster. Even with a rookie Castle and an aging Paul, the belief is that Wembanyama and the Spurs are and can be competitive. Hence, the Fox rumors and the recent intrigue in other noteworthy guards.
The Spurs' interest in Giddey fuels speculation about whether the San Antonio squad inquired about the Aussie guard last offseason after he requested a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Chicago ultimately dealt Alex Caruso for the former sixth-overall pick last June. However, it's equally possible San Antonio could have sent Tre Jones, Zach Collins, or perhaps draft compensation to the Thunder in exchange for Giddey.
Furthermore, it's well-documented that Giddey is playing on an expiring contract. Might the Spurs, with nearly $30 million in future salary cap space, make a run at Giddey in free agency? That's surely a possibility, especially if the Spurs don't trade for Fox in the coming days.
Lastly, if San Antonio doesn't move the needle regarding Fox trade talks, is Giddey a plausible trade candidate for this trade deadline? The 6-foot-8 guard has rarely been mentioned as an in-season trade candidate, but that's more so concerning his lack of suitors. Teams, including the Bulls, are still awaiting Giddey's performance to decide whether he's a long-term starter, worthy of a sizable contract.