NBA Rumors: 2-Time All-Star De’Aaron Fox Surfaces in Rockets Speculation
· Yahoo Sports
Dylan Harper averaged 11.8 points and 3.9 assists during his first season with the San Antonio Spurs. He shot 50.5 percent from the field while playing 22.6 minutes per game, giving the team strong early results from one of its top young players.
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2-Time AS De’Aaron Fox Surfaces in Rockets Trade SpeculationThe Spurs also reached the 2026 NBA Finals with Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox playing major roles in the backcourt. Keeping all three gives the team several lineup choices, but each player also needs minutes and chances to handle the ball.
Greg Swartz Proposes De’Aaron Fox Trade to Houston Rockets
Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz proposed sending Fox to the Houston Rockets for Fred VanVleet and Jabari Smith Jr. His October 6 article added that Houston could ask San Antonio for draft compensation.
The idea appeared in a feature about trades that Swartz believed should have happened during the 2026 offseason. It was his trade idea, not a report about talks between the two teams.
The deal would require both sides to make a clear choice. The Spurs would give their young guards more control of the backcourt. The Rockets would turn two players into the best player in the proposed trade.
Dylan Harper Could Make De’Aaron Fox Easier to Trade
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst provided the main reason for viewing Fox as a possible trade piece despite his value.
“The Spurs internally believe Dylan Harper is their second-best player,” Windhorst said. “That’s not a slight on De’Aaron Fox. That’s not a slight on Stephon Castle. Harper is a stud.”
Harper started only four regular-season games, while Castle opened 67 contests. If San Antonio wants both young guards in the starting lineup, trading Fox would open a spot without cutting either player’s role.
That does not make Fox a poor fit or a less useful player. It means the Spurs may no longer need three guards who can run the offense. His trade value could also help the team add players at other positions.
Why the San Antonio Spurs Could Consider the Deal
San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox (4) shoots against the New York Knicks during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Photo Credit: Geoff Burke, Imagn Images via Reuters ConnectMoney gives San Antonio one reason to look at the trade. Fox’s massive extension kicks in worth about $229 million over four years. It began in 2026-27 and runs through 2029-30.
VanVleet exercised his player option for 2026-27, so his contract has only one season left. Smith began a five-year deal worth about $122 million in 2026-27. That contract runs through 2030-31.
The trade would not remove all of the Spurs’ long-term salary. It would move part of that money from a guard to a younger forward while giving the team a short-term replacement for Fox.
Why the Houston Rockets Could Want De’Aaron Fox
The reason Houston would make the trade starts with Fox’s playmaking. He averaged 18.6 points, 6.2 assists and 1.2 steals across 72 games last season.
VanVleet missed the season after tearing his ACL. Fox played most of the year and handled a larger scoring role, giving the Rockets a more proven option at point guard.
The price would be high, but the deal would allow Houston to turn two players into one lead guard. The team would lose some depth in the process, especially at forward.
What Both Teams Would Give Up in the Trade
San Antonio would trade the player Swartz called the best in the deal. The Spurs would also be asking Harper to take on a bigger job after only one NBA season.
Houston would lose a starting forward who averaged 15.8 points and 6.9 rebounds across 77 games. Draft compensation would make the cost even higher.
The Spurs would be choosing fit and a clearer role for Harper over Fox’s proven play. The Rockets would be choosing the stronger current player over depth, a younger forward, and possibly a future draft pick.
The Last Word
Harper’s strong first season gives the Spurs a clear reason to review how much money and playing time should remain tied to another lead guard. A trade would make more sense if the team values a clear starting role for Harper over keeping Fox’s proven scoring and passing. The Rockets would face the opposite choice by giving up depth and future options for help at point guard now.
Featured Image: Scott Wachter, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
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Photo Credit: Scott Wachter, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect