Star point guard De’Aaron Fox reached a four-year, $229 million maximum contract extension with the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. The deal sparked disbelief among NBA fans, with Los Angeles Lakers supporters praising their team for extending superstar guard Luka Dončić on a more team-friendly contract two days earlier.
Upon being shipped from the Sacramento Kings to his preferred destination, San Antonio, at February’s trade deadline, Fox played just 17 games for the franchise. The one-time All-Star underwent season-ending left pinkie finger surgery on March 18 after making just five appearances alongside his new co-star, Victor Wembanyama.
Nevertheless, the Spurs, who drafted point guard Dylan Harper at No. 2 in the 2025 NBA Draft, appear confident in Fox’s long-term fit alongside Wembanyama despite outside skepticism.
Why Did Lakers Fans Celebrate Luka Dončić’s Extension After De’Aaron Fox’s New Contract?
Fox’s lucrative four-year extension, which keeps him in San Antonio through the 2029-30 season, will pay him an average of $57.3 million annually, ranking among the NBA’s highest salaries.
BREAKING: San Antonio Spurs star De’Aaron Fox has agreed to a four-year, $229 million maximum contract extension with the franchise, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN. The max deal secures Fox’s future in San Antonio through the 2029-30 season. pic.twitter.com/vvCdMExAbt
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 4, 2025
By comparison, Dončić agreed to a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension on Saturday, averaging out to $55 million a year.
BREAKING: Los Angeles Lakers All-NBA star Luka Doncic has signed a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension with the franchise, with a player option in 2028, agent Bill Duffy of WME Basketball told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/oRxAVIm2oD
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 2, 2025
While Fox has earned one All-Star selection and one All-NBA nod (Third Team), Dončić is a five-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA First Team selectee. Moreover, Dončić is a far more prolific offensive hub, with a career scoring average of 28.6 points per game, compared to Fox’s 21.5 ppg.
As such, fans on X were quick to pile on Fox’s deal, labeling it an overpay.
“That’s a BAD deal,” one fan said.
That’s a BAD deal
— Fat Kid Deals (@FatKidDeals) August 4, 2025
“What an awful contract lmaooooooo,” another wrote.
What an awful contract lmaooooooo
— 𝔹𝕠𝕝𝕨𝕣𝕝𝕕 (@BolWrld) August 4, 2025
Meanwhile, the Lakers’ fan base immediately began juxtaposing Fox’s contract with Dončić’s, with some expressing gratitude to the Dallas Mavericks for sending the latter to LA in early February.
“[Mavericks general manager] Nico [Harrison] not only gave us a top 3 player in the world, he made sure we got him on a discount,” one fan quipped.
Nico not only gave us a top 3 player in the world, he made sure we got him on a discount 😂
— JB (@JB4Threee) August 4, 2025
“Lakers got Luka for cheaper,” another remarked.
Lakers got Luka for cheaper. https://t.co/jbcqmyIgSW pic.twitter.com/sSh6JkZXUP
— Showtime Luka (@showtimeluka) August 4, 2025
“The Lakers are getting Luka Doncic for cheaper than De’Aaron Fox. Thank you Mavericks! 😂!” one user commented.
The Lakers are getting Luka Doncic for cheaper than De’Aaron Fox.
Thank you Mavericks! 😂 https://t.co/rknajBlaXV
— Red Mamba (@Purpl3andGold) August 4, 2025
“Luka and DeAaron on the same contract 🤯🤯🤯,” another chimed in.
Luka and DeAaron on the same contract 🤯🤯🤯
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) August 4, 2025
Despite Fox being widely regarded as a lower-tier star than Dončić, he shares an impressive feat with the 2024 NBA scoring champion. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, “Fox is just one of two players to average 20 points, 5 assists and 1 steal in each of the past six seasons, along with Dončić.”
Still, San Antonio may have to vastly improve upon its injury-plagued 34-win 2024-25 campaign and develop into a contender for fans to warm up to Fox’s contract.
