The Silver and Black family gained two new members this weekend. On Sunday, the San Antonio Spurs acquired De’Aaron Fox and Jordan McLaughlin in a three-team trade that sent draft capital, Tre Jones and Zach Collins to the Chicago Bulls, and Sidy Cissoko plus three first-rounders to the Sacramento Kings.
The acquisition of Fox gives the Spurs the second star they’ve been looking to pair with Victor Wembanyama. Fox or “Swipa” (a “Dora the Explorer” reference for the uninitiated) is a 27-year-old point guard and former all-star. He’s spent 7 and a half seasons with the Kings after being drafted 5th overall in the 2017 draft. Fox played for coach John Calipari at Kentucky, where he turned heads with his speed and skill. Before attending Kentucky, the Texas native played his high school ball at Cypress Lakes High School in Katy, Texas. He will wear #2 for San Antonio, a number not worn by a Spur since Kawhi Leonard in 2018.
This season, Fox is averaging 25 points, 6.1 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 46.9% from the field, 32,2% from three, and 82.9% from the free throw line. Fox’s Achilles heel has been his three-point shot, but he is coming off a season last year in which he shot 36.9% from three, so there is some hope he can turn around his shooting numbers. Fox is one of the most efficient pick-and-roll ball handlers in the NBA with his combination of speed and pull-up shooting. He’s aggressive at the point of attack defensively. He led the NBA in steals last season.
Fox’s best season came in 2022-23 when he made the all-star team, was selected All-NBA third team, and won the first-ever Clutch Player of the Year award. That year he averaged 25 points, 6.1 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 51.2% from the field and 32.4% from three. Those numbers are very similar to the stats he’s posting this season. He has two years left on his current contract and will be owed $37M next season. He will be eligible for an extension this upcoming offseason.
Fox is the headliner of the trade, but they also picked up a solid depth piece in McLaughlin. The 6-year veteran guard has played for the Minnesota Timberwolves for five seasons, and the Kings for one. McLaughlin is known for being a steady hand at the point guard position off the bench. He’s averaged 4.2 points and 2.9 assists while shooting 37% in 14.5 minutes per game throughout his career.
McLaughlin played four years at USC for Andy Enfield where he was named first-team All-Pac-12 as a senior. He’ll join the Spurs as the third or fourth point guard in their depth chart behind Fox, Chris Paul and Stephon Castle. Having depth at the guard position is important, especially for a team that is becoming more and more reliant on veteran talent. McLaughlin should be able to provide floor spacing and solid point guard play off the bench when he’s needed.
