Victor Wembanyama could be losing one of his most trusted teammates sooner than expected originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The San Antonio Spurs are two wins from the NBA Finals as the Western Conference Finals are level at 2-2 following their dominant 103-82 Game 4 victory. Victor Wembanyama is playing the best basketball of his young career.
And yet, in the middle of this playoff run, a credible report has surfaced that could reshape the entire franchise’s future. It directly concerns the player Wemby has leaned on most this season.
De’Aaron Fox, 28, is that player. And according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, his time in San Antonio may be shorter than anyone expected.
Fox arrived in San Antonio last February via a three-team trade with Sacramento and Chicago, then signed a four-year, $229 million max extension in August. He averaged 18.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.2 assists across 72 regular-season games this season.
In the playoffs, the New Orleans’ native has been Wembanyama’s primary ball-handler and a steady veteran presence in a young locker room. He missed Games 1 and 2 of this series with a right ankle sprain before returning in Game 3.
Amick wrote, “There’s already league-wide chatter about how his time here might be cut short. The assertion, shared by rival executives and media folks alike, is that rookie guard Dylan Harper, the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft, is simply too good to come off the bench for long and will eventually need to start alongside second-year guard Stephon Castle.”
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“I basically was told by a very good source that they’re going to explore their options and I think that with some of the young talent that they have why not, right?”
(Via @957thegame) pic.twitter.com/V8EGbl8ZAE
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) May 25, 2026
His $229 million max deal is the main issue in this narrative. Keeping him as an expensive reserve would force the Spurs to consider whether he fits their long-term future. By contrast, rookie Dylan Harper has a much more team-friendly contract. He will make $12.9 million next season, followed by two team options for $13.6 million and $17.1 million.
His postseason play has accelerated this conversation. The 20-year-old averaged 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists over 69 regular-season games. He has played even better in the playoffs, averaging 13.3 points.
According to Amick, the Spurs are not having internal conversations about trading Fox. San Antonio also has a history of managing backcourt depth, having won championships with Manu Ginobili coming off the bench.
So, for now, he remains Wembanyama’s veteran running mate in the Conference Finals, but the front office will face tough decisions this offseason.
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- Victor Wembanyama showed his true colors in emotional moment in Game 4 and it’s heartwarming
- Kevin Durant bet on Rockets’ veterans over Spurs’ young team and it’s backfiring fast
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