Proposed Spurs Clippers Trade Would Send De’Aaron Fox to LA


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The San Antonio Spurs made a run to the NBA Finals last season. One would figure they're pretty happy with their lineup as constructed, with natural progression for the young dynamic players in their backcourt, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. 

But what about De'Aaron Fox and the four-year, $221M extension that kicks in this year? Are the Spurs regretting it? 

Bill Simmons is suggesting a Spurs/LA Clippers trade that could work for both teams:

LA Clippers receive:

  • De'Aaron Fox
  • Draft capital 


San Antonio Spurs receive:

  • Darius Garland

For the Clippers, according to Simmons, they could look to upgrade their point guard spot by getting Fox in place of Garland. Why would the Spurs do that, though? Here's the sales pitch from Simmons:

"If you're the Spurs, they're like, 'Well, we messed up this Fox thing. We didn't realize we were gonna get Harper when we did the wink-wink with the Fox extension. We're gonna have to have money to pay Wemby and Castle and eventually, Harper.'

"Could Garland be a two-year stopgap now (instead of the four years of Fox), to basically get out of those last two years? And could we use some of our picks and other stuff (to send in order for the Clippers to take on those extra two years)?"

Why the Clippers would consider hypothetical De'Aaron Fox trade

"If you're the Clippers, you're like, De'Aaron Fox, veteran guy, with Keaton Wagler (in the backcourt), kind of weirdly makes sense as a combo."

Wagler was the 5th overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, and is projected as an elite 6'6" shooting guard. Fox could be that veteran he could lean on to get his feet wet in the league. And either of them can play off or on the ball. 

Additionally, the Clippers could get back some draft capital lost in the cap circumvention scandal punishment. 

An intriguing proposition as training camps are set to open at the end of this month.