• Loading stock data...
Friday, August 29, 2025
Front Office Sports Honors winners are here! View the 2025 winners

Spurs Are Spending Big Now, but Can They Afford Their Future?

The Spurs handed Fox a max deal, but they also have young guards like Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper who will need extensions in the coming years.

Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox played just five games together last season after the Spurs traded for the veteran guard in February. But as expected, San Antonio still handed Fox a max deal to serve as Wembanyama’s sidekick for the foreseeable future.

Fox agreed to a four-year, $229 million max extension with the Spurs on Monday, according to ESPN. The deal for the one-time All-Star starts in 2026 and runs through the 2029–30 season.

The deal ostensibly locks in the Spurs duo until the end of the decade, especially with Wembanyama’s extension eligible starting next offseason. He could sign a five-year deal that would run until the 2031–32 season.

However, as seen this offseason with the Celtics and Suns, a lot can change in the next few years, given the league’s two-apron salary-cap structure.

The Spurs have a bevy of young guards on the roster that could become redundant with Fox in the coming years. Stephon Castle, the reigning Rookie of the Year, will be extension-eligible in the 2027 offseason. Given his performance last year, he could command a max or close to that if he continues to progress.

In June, San Antonio selected Rutgers guard Dylan Harper with the No. 2 pick—a selection it lucked into despite just a 12.5% chance at a top-two pick in the 2025 draft. While Harper has not played a second in the NBA, the 19-year-old, who is the son of NBA legend Ron Harper, will likely still command much more than the $14 million per year his rookie deal pays.

Long-Term Questions

The Spurs are in a decent place financially for the next two seasons due to the abundance of young talent on cheap deals. Despite signing center Luke Kornet on a four-year, $41 million deal last month, they are well below the luxury tax threshold for this upcoming season.

They can also avoid the tax next year as Wembanyama’s potential extension will not yet be on the books.

The question is whether the Spurs—one of the league’s most successful franchises, though also one of its smallest markets—will be able to afford their players in about three or more seasons.

San Antonio’s moves will likely be determined by how they perform on the court over the next few years. If Fox and Wembanyama can lead the Spurs to the playoffs—or a playoff series win for the first time since 2017—then they may be satisfied with what they have at present. Otherwise, their young guards could be given the keys.

The Spurs should also monitor the situation in Milwaukee as they have the pieces to create an enticing deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo, should he become available.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Breanna Stewart

Breanna Stewart’s Injury Meant Rare Presence at WNBA CBA Talks

Stewart “makes the league sit up straight,” the union director told FOS.
May 24, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban celebrates after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game two of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center.

Mark Cuban on Why NBA Expansion Isn’t Imminent

Cuban said the next CBA could help solve some expansion issues.
Dawn Staley

Dawn Staley Says She Would Have Left South Carolina for Knicks

Staley says she would have made the NBA leap “for women.”

Rhyne Howard Calls Out Dream Fans for A’Ja Wilson ‘MVP’ Chants

The Las Vegas Aces overtook the Atlanta Dream in the standings.

Featured Today

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
August 22, 2025

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.

Connor McDavid: ‘All Options on Table’ As Historic Free Agency Looms

The Oilers superstar remains largely mum on his long-term plans.
Monica Wright
August 26, 2025

WNBA Expansion Teams Still in Dark As CBA Fight Drags On

Portland and Toronto won’t know the draft rules until a CBA is signed.
United
August 28, 2025

Manchester United Knocked Out of Cup by Team With $2.6 Million Payroll

United’s team payroll is almost 100 times larger than Grimsby’s.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
August 25, 2025

Trey Hendrickson Ends Stalemate for $14 Million Bengals Raise

The defensive end will make $30 million this season.
August 22, 2025

$2B A’s Vegas Stadium Hits Milestones, on Track for 2028

Construction progress and costs pick up in the Las Vegas project.
August 21, 2025

Amid Dream Season, Valkyries Face Potential Playoff Arena Conflict

The Valkyries are seventh in the WNBA standings.
Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore
August 21, 2025

Timberwolves Lay Off Dozens After A-Rod, Lore Take Over

Rodriguez and Lore took over the Wolves and Lynx in June.