As the NBA offseason rolls on and training camp approaches, trade chatter continues to swirl. A recent proposal floated by Sai Mohan of Heavy.com suggested a blockbuster cross-conference deal between the San Antonio Spurs and the Boston Celtics. The hypothetical trade would ship De’Aaron Fox and Keldon Johnson to Boston in exchange for veteran forward Paul George and sharpshooter Sam Hauser.
While adding a player of Paul George’s caliber might initially look tempting on paper, executing a move like this would introduce far more problems than it solves, creating unnecessary headaches for San Antonio as they chase a championship.
The Financial Illusion vs. The Age and Health Risk
There is no denying the financial angle that catches the eye of trade analysts. As proponents of the deal note, swapping Fox’s long-term salary commitments for George—who holds a massive $56 million player option for the 2027–28 season—offers short-term financial flexibility.
However, San Antonio is firmly in win-now mode with their sights set on title contention. Bringing in a 36-year-old forward well past his prime who carries a heavily documented, troubling injury history is a massive gamble. Availability has been a primary concern for George over recent seasons, making him a risky cornerstone compared to trusting internal growth.
Betting on De’Aaron Fox’s Bounce-Back
Much of the external panic surrounding Fox and Keldon Johnson stems from their collective struggles during the Spurs’ hard-fought run to the NBA Finals. While their late-round playoff shortcomings were difficult to watch, hitting the panic button and shipping off core pieces after a single postseason roadblock is short-sighted.
Fox possesses significantly more long-term upside. Being eight years younger than George, and having spent the summer fully rehabbing his ankle and working on his game, Fox represents a safer, higher-ceiling bet for consistent production. Writing off a player of his caliber based on a single tough series ignores how quickly elite young guards can ascend. Trusting his bounce-back makes far more logical sense than trading for an aging, injury-prone veteran.
Patience and Internal Development Win Championships
San Antonio finds itself in a unique and enviable position. While the urgency to win is real, the front office does not need to rush panicked trades to fix every temporary flaw exposed under the bright lights of the postseason.
Internal development remains the bedrock of sustainable success. Allowing players like Fox and Johnson to process their experiences, adjust, and learn from their first deep playoff run is a far more reliable path forward than trading for the severe uncertainties and physical decline associated with Paul George at this stage of his career. Sticking to their internal core gives the Spurs the best chance to build a lasting contender.
