Oh, how the turntables have turned. After signing a max contract over the summer and being criticized for his performance during a recent loss, San Antonio Spurs star De’Aaron Fox has won over his biggest critics.
Without three of the team’s four best players, Fox has been relied on to pick up the slack, and he has done so masterfully. The Spurs are currently 3-1 without star Victor Wembanyama, with Fox efficiently scoring at least 25 points in each game.
That highlights his true value to the Spurs. Although he was brought in to be a co-star to Wemby, he was also an insurance policy too. After all, even the most durable stars miss time, and depending on the talent around them, that could make or break a contender’s championship aspirations.
San Antonio adding Fox gives them a player who they can rely on in the event that Wembanyama gets into foul trouble or is forced to sit out games.
De’Aaron Fox gives the Spurs a Victor Wembanyama insurance policy
Wembanyama has been in foul trouble at least twice already this season. Thus, having Fox there to pick up the slack ensures San Antonio has an elite offensive player on the court, which should dramatically increase San Antonio’s floor.
With Wembanyama out, Fox is averaging 26.5 points, 6.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 42.3% from three. Him upping his game without Wembanyama is exactly what the Spurs need from him.
Of course, the goal is for Wembanyama and Fox to eventually thrive playing alongside one another, and they have only appeared in 10 games together thus far. Getting Wembanyama back and the two of them on the same page will go a long way toward this team reaching its full potential.
De’Aaron Fox is getting a chance to spread his offensive wings
However, a big silver lining of Wembanyama missing a couple of weeks is that it gives Fox a chance to become the focal point of the offense. He’s clearly looking to balance being a scorer with also being a distributor who doesn’t disrupt the flow of the offense.
So far, so good. He’s done a terrific job knowing when to create for others and when to get buckets. It’s saving the Spurs as they work to get Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper healthy.
All told, given how many injuries the Spurs have already sustained, having a co-star like Fox step up and lead the team proves that they made a wise decision in trading for him. Especially when Wembanyama misses time, making him the Spurs’ insurance policy, and he is already paying out.
