Photo: Peter Baba

While Dylan Harper’s rise has generated discussion about the Spurs’ backcourt future, San Antonio remains committed to De’Aaron Fox as its starting point guard despite his struggles during the NBA Finals.

Fox endured one of the toughest stretches of his season against the New York Knicks, shooting 34.3 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range during the series.

His struggles were highlighted in the Game 5 closeout loss, where he finished just 3-of-15 from the floor.

The disappointing performance led some fans to suggest that Harper should replace Fox in the starting lineup. However, the Spurs’ internal view reportedly remains unchanged.

Team sources described Fox as a calming presence and one of the club’s most reliable closers throughout the season, noting that he was also dealing with an ankle injury during the Finals.

San Antonio acquired Fox in a February 2025 trade and later committed to him with a four-year, $229 million extension.

The deal begins next season, increasing his salary from $37.1 million to $49.8 million before reaching $61.7 million in the final year of the contract in 2029-30.

Head coach Mitch Johnson indicated there is no urgency to resolve any questions about the team’s backcourt hierarchy, stressing the importance of continuity for a young group that reached the Finals earlier than many expected.

“Teams that have been in this space before typically have a group of people that have played together for some time,” said Johnson. “These guys are going through that for the first time this year. They’re typically a lot better in Year 2 and Year 3.”

Spurs Committed To De'Aaron Fox As Starter Despite Looming Push From Dylan Harper's Camp https://t.co/DS2TalSh0j