NBA Scout Makes Audacious De'Aaron Fox Trade Statement

SAN ANTONIO — When an All-NBA-caliber point guard, still in his prime, is described as expendable, the team he's on is either in a miraculous situation, or it's the dead of the offseason.

The San Antonio Spurs? The latter applies. But their situation isn't bad, either.

In a recent ESPN story, several league scouts and executives were asked to opine about the 2025 NBA Draft class after a week of Summer League games. A few superlatives were handed out, including one to Spurs rookie Carter Bryant — the "steal" of the draft. Bold claims were made, too.

Perhaps only under the watchful eye of anonymity.

An anonymous Western Conference scout believes Dylan Harper could make De’Aaron Fox expendable in San Antonio

"[Harper] has some [Manu] Ginobili to his offensive game. If the 3-point shot ever becomes a true weapon [for him], he makes Fox expendable and gives San Antonio a nice… pic.twitter.com/cArwTCtOH4
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 24, 2025

"(Dylan Harper) has some (Manu) Ginóbili to his offensive game," one Western Conference scout said. "If (his) 3-point shot ever becomes a true weapon, he makes Fox expendable and gives San Antonio a nice trade asset."

Harper has cited a sit-down with the former Spurs legend numerous times since he was drafted with the No. 2 overall pick; if it wasn't apparent before, his ability to drive to the rim with decelerating steps mirrors that of Ginóbili.

But even if Harper does end up following a similar path as Ginóbili, the idea that he would displace Fox — especially within the first few seasons of his career — is outlandish.

#Spurs rookie Dylan Harper on making his debut after four months without basketball: “I’m just happy to play … I was smiling the whole game just happy to be out there.” #PorVida pic.twitter.com/V7FvUQUx2o
— Matt Guzman (@mattgzman) July 12, 2025

San Antonio made the intentional decision to trade for Fox to facilitate a pairing between him and Victor Wembanyama. Granted, it wasn't aware of its impending lottery fortune, but drafting Harper second overall instead of searching for a better fit was proof of its plan to incorporate all three of him, Fox and reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle into its game plan.

It wasn't the genesis of an escape plan from Fox.

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