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Spurs predicted to trade De'Aaron Fox for $226M star duo to pair with Victor Wembanyama
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- Spurs predicted to trade De'Aaron Fox for $226M star duo to pair with Victor Wembanyama
Spurs predicted to trade De'Aaron Fox for $226M star duo to pair with Victor Wembanyama originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The San Antonio Spurs are looking to make it back to the NBA Finals after falling short last season in a series that, at times, felt like it was largely controlled by them. However, there were moments when the youth and inexperience of the Spurs showed.
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No one had a more difficult time than De'Aaron Fox, who battled injuries throughout the Finals. At one point, there were even calls for him to be benched in favor of rookie Dylan Harper.
"The Spurs are outscoring the Knicks by 15.3 points per 100 possessions when Dylan Harper shares the court with Victor Wembanyama. Needing to win three of the next four to force a Game 7 in the NBA Finals, it's time to bench De'Aaron Fox in favor of Wembanyama's long-term option," NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
Another major issue was on the defensive end. It was no secret that Harper was the better defender, and the rookie was also better equipped physically to handle the matchup.
"Harper, listed at 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, is bigger than Fox (6-3, 185) and defends far more physically. That better equips him to guard Brunson and potentially switch onto bigger players as well," CBS Sports' Sam Quinn wrote.
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There have also been rumors about San Antonio potentially moving on from Fox. Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes proposed a trade that would send Fox, Luke Kornet and significant draft capital to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy III.
"San Antonio Spurs Acquire: Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray. New Orleans Pelicans Acquire: De'Aaron Fox, Luke Kornet, 2027 first-round pick (via ATL), 2028 first-round swap (via BOS), 2030 first-round pick, 2031 first-round swap (via SAC), 2027 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick (NOP's own), 2029 second-round pick (NOP's own)," Hughes wrote.
This would be a massive move for the Spurs because it would give them additional size and versatility. Murphy is an excellent defender and would add another two-way presence to the roster. It would also clear the way for Harper and Stephon Castle to develop as San Antonio's young backcourt of the future.
Murray and Murphy combine for $226 million on their current contracts. Murray would also give San Antonio another proven scorer, while Murphy could provide spacing and two-way ability on the wing.
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For a Spurs team trying to make another run at the NBA Finals, this could be a bold way to reshape the roster around Victor Wembanyama while giving the organization a younger and more versatile core.
