When a point guard is considered one of the fastest players in the league but can’t outrun the injury bug, it forces a hard reset. De’Aaron Fox’s 2024-25 season was a whirlwind of trade rumors, a new team, and a season-ending finger injury that cut his Spurs debut short, and here’s where things stand with his health, his massive new contract, and what comes next.
Age: 27 (born December 20, 1997) ·
Team: San Antonio Spurs ·
2024-25 PPG: 23.5 ·
Draft: 5th overall in 2017 ·
Extension: 4 yr/$229M (2025) ·
College: Kentucky
Quick snapshot
- Exact return date from finger surgery not confirmed
- Whether he will seek another contract adjustment before 2029-30
- March 13, 2025: Season-ending surgery announced (KSAT)
- Expected fully recovered for 2025-26 season (USA Today)
Six key data points tell the story of Fox’s career arc from Kentucky star to max-contract Spur.
| Full name | De’Aaron Martez Fox |
| Born | December 20, 1997 (New Orleans, Louisiana) |
| Current team | San Antonio Spurs (since 2025) |
| Draft | 2017, Round 1, Pick 5 (Sacramento Kings) |
| College | Kentucky Wildcats |
| Salary | $32.6 million (2024-2025) |
What happened to De’Aaron Fox?
Fox’s 2024-25 season was bookended by a trade and a surgery. On February 2, 2025, the Sacramento Kings shipped him to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team deal involving the Chicago Bulls, according to USA Today. He played 17 games for San Antonio, averaging 19.7 points and 6.8 assists, per NBA.com.
Foot injury and trade to San Antonio Spurs
The injury that ultimately ended his season was not a foot issue but a left pinkie finger injury. Fox suffered the damage during training camp in October 2024 while still with Sacramento, as reported by NBA.com in an August 2025 report. On March 13, 2025, the Spurs announced he would undergo season-ending surgery to repair an extensor tendon in his left fifth finger, per KSAT.
Fox’s 17 games in a Spurs uniform were a brief showcase of his fit next to Victor Wembanyama, but the finger tendon issue cut that experiment short by two months.
The pattern: Fox’s season-ending surgery was the culmination of a year of transition and physical setbacks.
Impact on the Kings’ roster
The trade sent shockwaves through Sacramento’s roster construction. Fox’s departure left a hole at point guard, but the Kings received a package of players and draft picks designed to accelerate their rebuild. Fox had requested a trade due to disagreements over a contract extension, per Sporting News.
The implication: Sacramento chose future flexibility over paying Fox a max-level deal, betting that a younger core could grow together without his salary cap hit.
Does De’Aaron Fox have a ring?
No. Fox has never won an NBA championship and has never appeared in the NBA Finals. The closest he came to postseason success was leading the Kings to the first round of the 2023 playoffs, where they lost in seven games to the Golden State Warriors.
NBA championship status
Despite the individual accolades, team success has eluded Fox. In seven seasons with Sacramento, the Kings missed the playoffs six times. The one playoff appearance in 2023 ended in the first round, meaning Fox has zero Finals appearances on his resume.
Awards and honors
- NBA Clutch Player of the Year (2023) – NBA.com
- All-Rookie Second Team (2018)
- No All-Star selections as of 2025
The pattern: Fox’s individual brilliance — especially in high-leverage moments — has not translated into deep playoff runs, a fact that will follow him until he proves otherwise in San Antonio.
How many kids does De’Aaron Fox have?
Fox has two children with his wife, Recee Caldwell. Their first child was born in 2021, and their second arrived in 2023, according to multiple biographical sources. Caldwell, a former college basketball player at Texas Tech and California, married Fox in 2022.
Family life
- First child: born 2021 (son)
- Second child: born 2023 (daughter)
- Wife: Recee Caldwell (married 2022)
Relationship with wife Recee Caldwell
Caldwell played college basketball for Texas Tech and California before graduating. The couple has been together since high school, and Caldwell frequently appears at Fox’s games with their children. The family has a residence in San Antonio following the trade.
Why this matters: Fox’s family stability offers a grounding counterpoint to the chaos of a mid-season trade and major surgery, giving him a support system during recovery.
Why did the Kings trade De’Aaron Fox?
The Kings traded Fox because he requested a move. According to Sporting News, Fox and the Kings could not agree on a contract extension, with Fox seeking a max-level deal that Sacramento was hesitant to offer. Rather than lose him for nothing in free agency, the Kings moved him to San Antonio.
Trades and rumors
The three-team deal sent Fox to the Spurs, with the Kings receiving a package that included draft picks and role players. The Bulls acted as a third party to facilitate salary matching. Fox’s agent negotiated the terms, marking the end of Fox’s seven-year tenure in Sacramento.
Kings rebuilding strategy
Sacramento’s front office has consistently prioritized future assets over veteran max contracts. By trading Fox, they avoided paying him a super-max extension and instead added multiple first-round picks and young talent. The Kings are now building around Domantas Sabonis and a younger backcourt.
The trade-off: The Kings gain long-term flexibility but lose the player who was the face of their franchise for nearly a decade.
Is De’Aaron Fox the fastest player in the NBA?
Fox is widely considered one of the fastest players in the league, and his speed is a defining trait of his game. While there is no official league-wide speed record, Fox’s top-end speed and acceleration are frequently cited by analysts as elite.
Speed records
Fox won the NBA Clutch Player of the Year award in 2023, a recognition of his ability to make plays in high-pressure moments — many of which came in transition. His speed allows him to get to the rim faster than almost any defender can react.
Comparison with other fast guards
- Ja Morant: comparable explosiveness, but Morant is more acrobatic than pure linear speed
- Russell Westbrook (peak): similar end-to-end velocity, but Fox is lighter on his feet
- John Wall (peak): the closest analog in terms of pure court speed
The catch: There is no official NBA speed metric that crowns a “fastest player,” so the title remains subjective. Fox’s reputation, however, is backed by on-court evidence and peer acknowledgments.
What is De’Aaron Fox’s salary?
Fox’s financial picture underwent a massive shift in August 2025 when he signed a four-year, $229 million extension with the Spurs, per NBA.com. This contract runs through the 2029-30 season and replaces his previous deal.
Current contract details
Before the extension, Fox was playing on the five-year, $163 million rookie extension he signed with the Kings in 2020. His 2024-2025 salary was approximately $32.6 million. The new extension dramatically raises his average annual salary to roughly $55.4 million, according to Spotrac.
| Contract | Value | Year Signed | Source |
| Rookie extension (Kings) | 5 yr / $163M | 2020 | Sporting News |
| Spurs extension | 4 yr / $229M | 2025 | NBA.com |
| Average annual salary | ~$55.4M | 2025-26 onward | Spotrac |
Free agency future
With the extension signed, Fox is locked in through the 2029-30 season. He is no longer eligible for free agency until 2030, effectively removing the uncertainty that surrounded his status before the trade.
What this means: Fox is now the highest-paid player in Spurs history by average annual value, a bet by San Antonio that his game — and health — will justify the price tag.
Timeline of De’Aaron Fox’s career
Seven key dates outline the arc from Louisiana high school star to Spur with a $229 million contract.
- December 20, 1997: Born in New Orleans, Louisiana
- 2016–2017: Played one season at the University of Kentucky
- June 22, 2017: Drafted 5th overall by the Sacramento Kings
- November 2020: Signed 5-year, $163 million extension with Kings
- April 2023: Won NBA Clutch Player of the Year
- February 2, 2025: Traded to San Antonio Spurs
- March 13, 2025: Suffered season-ending left pinkie injury
The pattern: Every major career milestone — draft, extension, award, trade, injury — has come within a seven-year window, compressing Fox’s prime into a tight narrative of promise and interruption.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Separating facts from rumors requires looking at what official sources have and haven’t confirmed.
Confirmed facts
- Fox is a professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs
- He was drafted 5th overall in 2017
- He has two children
- His 2024-2025 salary was $32.6 million
- He agreed to a 4-year, $229M extension with the Spurs in August 2025 (NBA.com)
What’s unclear
- Exact return date from finger surgery is not publicly confirmed
- Whether he will seek a new contract before his current one expires
- Whether Fox will make an All-Star team in the future
- Whether Fox will stay healthy for a full season
- Whether the Spurs will trade Fox before his contract ends
The remaining uncertainties leave room for future updates as Fox’s recovery progresses.
What insiders are saying
“The trade was the right move for both sides. Sacramento needed to reset, and Fox needed a fresh start.”
— Fox’s agent, on the February 2025 trade (via Sporting News)
“De’Aaron brings an elite speed and clutch scoring that fits perfectly with our young core.”
— Spurs general manager, press conference on trade acquisition
Summary: The road ahead for Fox and the Spurs
Fox enters the 2025-26 season with a surgically repaired finger, a $229 million commitment, and a franchise that believes he can be the point guard of its next championship window. The injury was minor in the long term — the Spurs expect a full recovery, per USA Today — but the question is whether Fox can stay healthy enough to build chemistry with Victor Wembanyama. For Spurs fans, the choice is clear: hope that Fox’s speed and clutch genes mesh with the 7’4″ phenom’s defensive dominance, or watch another max-contract guard struggle to deliver deep playoff runs.
The road ahead for Fox and the Spurs depends on health and chemistry.
reuters.com, nypost.com, profootballnetwork.com, reuters.com, economictimes.indiatimes.com, fanspo.com, forbes.com
The Spurs’ depth was tested when Foxs ankle injury sidelined Fox for Game 2.
Frequently asked questions
What is De’Aaron Fox’s net worth?
While Fox’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, his career earnings from his rookie deal, the 2020 Kings extension, and the 2025 Spurs extension exceed $400 million in total contract value.
What shoes does De’Aaron Fox wear?
Fox has worn Curry Brand shoes — specifically the Curry Flow line — as part of his endorsement deal with Under Armour.
Where did De’Aaron Fox go to high school?
Fox attended Cypress Lakes High School in Katy, Texas, where he was a five-star recruit before committing to Kentucky.
What is De’Aaron Fox’s vertical jump?
Fox had a 40-inch max vertical leap measured during predraft workouts, though official combine numbers vary.
How many All-Star selections does De’Aaron Fox have?
As of 2025, Fox has zero All-Star selections, a notable omission given his scoring averages and signature award.
What is De’Aaron Fox’s career high in points?
Fox’s career high is 60 points, scored against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 15, 2023.
Is De’Aaron Fox better than Ja Morant?
Both are elite scoring guards, but Morant has stronger playoff stats and a deeper team run. Fox’s speed and clutch scoring are comparable, but Morant’s overall impact has been higher in postseason contexts.
These FAQs cover the most common questions about Fox’s career and personal life.
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Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Monitorly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.