Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox is set to make his season debut Saturday night against New Orleans, Shams Charania of ESPN said in an appearance on NBA Today (Twitter video link).
Fox is working his way back from a hamstring injury and will miss his eighth straight game tonight as San Antonio hosts Houston in an NBA Cup contest. Sources tell Charania that today is considered to be a “ramp-up day” for Fox in preparation for playing on Saturday.
This shapes up to be the first extended run for Fox and Victor Wembanyama as teammates since Fox was acquired from Sacramento in February. They only played five games together before Wembanyama was declared out for the season with deep vein thrombosis.
The Spurs traded for Fox in hopes of finding an accomplished point guard who could bring out the best in the young French star. Since then, they unexpectedly rose to No. 2 in the draft lottery and selected Dylan Harper, raising questions about whether Fox, Harper and Stephon Castle can be successful on the same team.
Even with those concerns, San Antonio gave Fox a four-year max extension in August. Based on current projections, the deal could be worth up to $228.6MM.
Fox’s return comes at an opportune time, as Harper is currently sidelined with a strained left calf and is expected to miss multiple weeks.
Fox was a former All-Star with the Kings and was considered to be one of the best young point guards in the league. He was traded after extension talks failed amid the belief that he wouldn’t sign a long-term deal in Sacramento.
Finally …. Really want to see how this works.
link to yardbarker.com
Mo slowing down Fox lols.
I can’t wait to see them when they’re ask healthy. The perimeter can be rotated in waves with Fox, Vassell, Castle, and Harper. Add Sochan and Wemby and the D is just ridiculous.
Good news – would be better news if he was playing tonight against the Rockets. At least they’ll only play 2.5 with Harper and Fox both out. Castle is great but he’s clearly better off the ball. It’s a big load to guard the opponent’s best player every night and run the point.