Since February 3, 2025, De’Aaron Fox has been a member of the San Antonio Spurs, before that, he spent the entirety of his career with the Sacramento Kings.
On Saturday night, the Spurs hosted the Kings in the second of their games taking place in Austin.
Before the game, Kings head coach Doug Christie was asked about the transition Fox has made in taking his game to South Texas. Christie served as an assistant to the Kings from 2021-2024 before taking the head coaching position in 2024.
“When he first
came in he was all speed, everything was speed, speed, speed, and then he started to find his game. I think watching him [in Texas], he has so may different weapons and he’s an unselfish player, so that plays right into wheelhouse. His ability to use his speed to get downhill to create advantages….it just takes his game to a different level. There was a steady progression to his game. Watching him, defensively, being on a team like this with a rim protector and multiple guys on the perimeter who play defense allows him to gamble a little bit because of his quickness and his anticipation skills. I thought there was a steady climb in where he was going and what he was doing. He iss a three-point threat in the open court and in one-on-one situations.”
Fox has had to transition from being the leader of the Kings and face of a franchise to playing next to a generational player.
In fact, even as his role seems to diminish, his statistics have not. He is averaging almost three less shots per game and consequently two-points less per game. And he’s only shaved about a minute if playing time from his average. But overall, his rebounding, assists, steals, blocks, and personal fouls are right in alignment with his career averages from his time in Sacramento.
In other words, Fox hasn’t changed, his surroundings have. And having this leading man and supporting cast has elevated his team overall. Add in a certain level of health that has upheld the Spurs throughout this season, the second best schedule in the Western Conference does not seem as farfetched as it did only a few weeks ago.
Older Spurs fans might remember how David Robinson handed the baton to Tim Duncan, allowing Duncan to become the face of the franchise and focal point to the team’s offense. Robinson’s willingness and humility not only elevated Duncan at a healthy pace, it built the foundation for multiple title runs.
Although Fox came in after Victor Wembanyama was drafted, his humility and selflessness resonates with the Spurs culture. Mitch Johnson recognized it immediately.
“It’s been incredible to see…a twenty-eight-year-old All-Star in his prime that wants to sit next to the face of the franchise, who’s twenty-two and still figuring out as good as he is, and want to complement him and be enthusiastic about growing with him.”
Johnson went on to complement how Fox allows Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper to make their own mistakes as part of their growth. In moments where Fox could feasibly take over the game, he stays back so that the team as a whole can grow into the champions they hope to be.
“I really, really appreciate his willingness to try and grow with the group, even though he’s probably a little bit ahead in terms of just experiences.”
Fox, although not initially listed as a 2026 All-Star, Fox was chosen by Adam Silver as a replacement for Giannis Antetokounmpo, an acknowledgement of the Spurs place in the standings not belonging to one singular player.
Fox also hit the game winner for USA Stripes in the All-Star competition.
On a court with LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Donovan Mitchell, Fox was fed the ball and trusted by a team of all-time great players.
A vote of confidence at that level says it all.
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