NBA Rumors: Spurs, De’Aaron Fox, Sixers, roster, expansion

Spurs

Despite some speculation following the NBA Finals, it doesn’t sound like the Spurs are looking to move on from De’Aaron Fox.

Fox struggled throughout much of the Finals while battling an ankle injury, averaging 12.8 points and shooting just 34.3 percent from the field as the Knicks captured the championship in five games.

That, combined with the emergence of young guards Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle, has led some observers to wonder if Fox could eventually become a trade candidate.

For now, though, that appears unlikely, according to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.

Also, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said the Spurs remain committed to Fox as their starting point guard and continue to view him as an important part of the organization’s future.

Fox, meanwhile, said he hopes to continue building alongside the young core.

“We want to continue to work together, continue to get better obviously as individuals and as a team,” he told reporters after the Finals.

So despite the chatter, all signs continue to point toward Fox remaining in San Antonio.

76ers

The Sixers have a few smaller decisions looming before free agency begins.

As detailed by Philly Voice’s Adam Aaronson, Philadelphia must determine what to do with team options involving Dominick Barlow, Trendon Watford and Dalen Terry before the June 29 deadline.

Barlow emerged as a useful rotation player after arriving on a two-way contract, but Aaronson suggested the Sixers may decline his option and attempt to negotiate a longer-term agreement instead.

A similar path could make sense with Watford. As for Terry, Aaronson expects Philadelphia to exercise his $2.6 million option and keep him under contract entering next season.

None of the moves would generate major headlines. But as every contender knows, roster depth matters.

Expansion

The NBA’s long-discussed expansion plans may finally be inching closer to reality.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the league’s Board of Governors is scheduled to meet in July, and expansion could become one of the major topics on the agenda.

Las Vegas and Seattle continue to be viewed as the leading candidates for new franchises.

The NBA has already spent months evaluating both markets and exploring ownership interest.

If expansion moves forward, the next steps would likely include establishing a timeline, opening the bidding process and eventually determining expansion-draft rules.

There would also be another major question to answer.

With both potential expansion teams expected to enter the Western Conference, the NBA would likely need to move one existing franchise to the East. According to Windhorst, teams such as the Timberwolves, Grizzlies and Pelicans could eventually enter that discussion.