If there is one San Antonio Spurs player whose reputation took a hit during the 2026 NBA Finals, it is De’Aaron Fox.
The veteran guard struggled throughout the series as the New York Knicks improbably defeated San Antonio in five games, clinching their first championship since 1973.
Fox’s subpar performance raised questions about his long-term fit with the Spurs as they look to build around Victor Wembanyama. ESPN analyst and NBA champion Kendrick Perkins believes the answer is no.
Kendrick Perkins Argues Dylan Harper Has Already Earned De’Aaron Fox’s Starting Role With Spurs
Fox’s struggles throughout the Finals became the major talking point while dissecting San Antonio’s frustrating losses.
In Game 4, his late-game blunder cost the Spurs when he attacked the basket instead of dribbling out the clock with San Antonio leading by 1 point in the closing seconds. OG Anunoby blocked the two-time All-Star’s layup before tipping in the eventual game-winner at the other end, completing New York’s historic comeback from a 29-point deficit.
Fox followed that up with arguably his worst showing of the postseason in Game 5 to hand the Knicks the championship, mustering 7 points on 3-for-15 shooting.
Across the five-game series, Fox averaged just 12.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists while shooting 34.3% from the field and 25.0% from 3-point range.
Outside of a 20-point outing in Game 2, Fox failed to make a sizable offensive impact in the series. He was held to 12 points or fewer in three of five outings and shot below 40% in four of those contests.
When asked Sunday whether he still envisions Fox having a future with the Spurs after his disappointing Finals run, Perkins offered a blunt response.
“I don’t. They’re going to have to find another place for him,” Perkins said. “Number one, he makes too much money, and number two, he’s getting in the way of Dylan Harper. That spot belongs to Dylan Harper.”
Kendrick Perkins says the Spurs need to move on from De’Aaron Fox:
“They’re gonna have to find another place for him. Number 1, he makes too much money. Number 2, he’s getting in the way of Dylan Harper. That spot belongs to Dylan Harper.” https://t.co/WfAX4p3Uig pic.twitter.com/e7HvmRsfEO
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) June 14, 2026
The 2008 NBA title winner with the Boston Celtics pointed to Harper’s poise throughout the Finals as evidence that the rookie guard is ready for a larger role next season. Perkins then made it clear which players he considers “untouchable” for San Antonio moving forward.
“We saw last night and throughout the course of this series that he was their most consistent offensive player on their team,” Perkins said. “… There’s three guys that I’m looking at on the San Antonio Spurs that are untouchable, Wemby, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper. The rest of the roster needs to be re-evaluated.”
Harper averaged 18.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists across the five-game series while shooting 49.3% from the field. The rookie scored at least 15 points in four of his five appearances and saved his best basketball for last.
In Game 4, Harper scored 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting, becoming the youngest player in NBA Finals history to record a 20-point game. He followed that up with 25 points on 52.6% shooting in the Spurs’ season-ending Game 5 defeat, earning his veteran teammate Devin Vassell’s praise.
“He was upset with playing time and different roles that he was in,” Vassell said. “But when we needed him most, he stepped up, and we have a star in the making.
“I know that he’s going to put so much work into the offseason. It’s not just offensively, but defensively, he’s made a lot of plays. He’s grown so much.”
Fox’s lucrative four-year, $221.8 million contract extension is set to kick in, a deal that will pay him nearly $50 million next season and more than $60 million annually by the 2029-30 campaign.
The massive financial commitment could make any potential trade difficult as the Spurs weigh Fox’s future with the franchise.
