Windhorst 'Expects' De'Aaron Fox to Sign 'A Big' Spurs Contract in NBA Free Agency

The San Antonio Spurs don't appear to have any concerns about De'Aaron Fox giving them a long-term commitment as soon as this summer.

Appearing on the Thursday morning edition of SportsCenter, ESPN's Brian Windhorst explained he "expects" that Fox will sign "a big" extension to remain with the Spurs:

"San Antonio was able to make a major upgrade to their roster at the trade deadline because they heard that De'Aaron Fox was available and within like four days they execute a trade for him. That is as a big of an upgrade as you can get. They didn't give up any of their core pieces to do it. And so now regardless of whether they make the play-in or not, the second half of this season will be about Fox and Wembanyama establishing a rapport together. I would expect Fox to sign a big contract extension in the summer. It was pretty much understood that was the way it was going to go. So no matter what happens, that's what you're watching with them."

It makes sense the Spurs would be confident in their ability to keep Fox, otherwise they likely wouldn't have given up the package they did to acquire him from the Sacramento Kings prior to the trade deadline.

Fox also made it known he was hoping to play for the Spurs if he were to be traded by the Kings.

"I think with the way that they're built with the athleticism, with the length they have," Fox told reporters on Feb. 5. "Also, the youth. I just felt like this could be a special team."

Fox has one more year remaining on his current contract with a $37.1 million salary in 2025-26.

Per ESPN's Bobby Marks, Fox is eligible to sign a four-year, $229 million extension this summer ($57.3 million per season). Since he was traded during the season, he will have to wait six months from the date of the trade (Feb. 3) to sign that deal.

Marks did point out if Fox were to play out of his current deal and sign a new contract with Bird rights in the summer of 2026, he could get up to $296 million over five years ($59.2 million per season).

Based on Windhorst's comments, it seems like Fox is just going to sign the extension this summer to get it done and lock himself in as part of the Spurs' new dynamic duo with Victor Wembanyama.

Fox has looked very comfortable in his new home so far. The 27-year-old is averaging 21.6 points on 50.0 percent shooting and 7.8 assists per game in five starts with the Spurs since the trade.