What medicine is sold in the gourd?

Feng Zihan reported

On August 5, according to the well-known NBA reporter Shams Charania, Dillon Fox has reached a four-year, max-salary renewal contract with the Spurs, which does not include any player options and transaction terms.

Fox's contract originally had about US$37.1 million in the last year, and the new contract will be executed from the 2026-2027 season. It is worth noting that by the 2029-2030 season, Fox's annual salary will reach as high as 63.3 million US dollars.

The maximum salary renewal was somewhat unexpected for Fox. Not to compare him with "old guns" such as James, Durant, Curry, etc., compared with Doncic, Tatum, Alexander, and Booker, Fox's data and qualifications are also much lower.

So, why are the Spurs willing to offer him such a high salary?

As the No. 5 pick selected by the Kings in 2017, Fox has averaged more than 20 points per game and assisted more than 5, and his personal abilities are unquestionable since his third grade. In the 2023-2024 season, while averaging 26.6 points and 5.6 assists per game, he also averaged 2.0 steals per game and was elected as the league's steal king. Although there are obvious shortcomings in the stability of the outside projection and the elasticity of the replacement, he is in his year of playing. The Spurs received a maximum salary of 4 years, basically locking in Fox's peak period. As long as Fox can ensure health and attendance, this deal will not be a loss.

The current Spurs have neither record pressure nor salary pressure, so they can develop at their own pace.

As an extremely young team, the Spurs' lineup can be called a backbone and have certain qualifications, so Fox is the one who can count. From Fox down, the tactical core is Wenban Yama, defender Castle is only in the second grade, and the two new players selected this year are second-tier Dylan Harper and forward Carter Bryant.

It is reasonable to let Fox, a middle-aged player, lead the team as the "big brother", and it is also reasonable for the Spurs to give him a high-paying contract. More importantly, they can afford to pay the money now after eating the rookie bonus.

At present, the total salary of the Spurs has just exceeded US$180 million, ranking 22nd in the NBA. Wenban Yama still has two years of rookie contract, Castle still has three years of rookie bonus, and Harper still has four years of full. The Spurs will be able to hold two maximum salaries in the future, including the same style as Castle, Harper and Fox, and they can make choices in the future.

The rise of the two youth armies of the Thunder and Rockets made the Spurs believe that the way to "make a fortune" through independent training can be achieved, which is also the reason why they are not in a hurry to achieve results. With the escort of Fox in the next few years, the Spurs' boys will be more calm.

The future really comes to the day when Fox contract expires, young potential players such as Wenban Yama, Harper, Castle have also evolved. At that time, the Spurs' new facade surface will surface and will open a new chapter for them.