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There was much talk about De’Aaron Fox‘s future with the San Antonio Spurs after his disappointing performance in the 2026 NBA Finals.
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Fox went from being the Spurs’ lead guard during the entire season to averaging just 12.8 points per game on 34 percent shooting, plus a Game 4 blunder that cost them the game and potentially the series. In the aftermath, some fans urged the Spurs to move the veteran guard so that Dylan Harper can start alongside Stephon Castle in what many believe is the backcourt of the future.
However, in a recent interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Harper explained why he sees Fox as a big piece of their championship puzzle, and he has no problem playing with him.
“My thing is, me and him never had a problem. Like, what’s — I’ve never seen a problem playing with two to three ball-handlers on the floor. Everyone last year said that it was not going to work — this, that and the third — but I think it worked pretty fine this year. I think we exceeded expectations a lot. So, I mean… for me, all I care about is doing what’s best for the team and winning, and he is a big factor, and he’s a big piece in us winning now and in the future,” Harper said.
The Spurs’ dominant three-guard lineup
The Spurs traded for Fox and already had Castle on the roster when they drafted Harper. Despite questions about whether they would fit together, the three helped Victor Wembanyama lead the Spurs to their best regular season since 2015-16, when they won 67 games.
Fox was the Spurs’ second-leading scorer behind Wembanyama during the regular season, averaging 18.2 points per game along with 6.2 assists. His performances earned him his second All-Star Game appearance. However, his production dipped in the playoffs, especially in the championship series, when the Spurs needed his poise and scoring more than ever.
Meanwhile, Harper played limited minutes during the regular season behind Fox and Castle. But after averaging just 22.6 minutes of playing time during the year, his playing time increased to 26.7 minutes per game in the postseason, including 31 minutes per game in the Finals, where he was the Spurs’ second-best player behind Wembanyama.
Despite that, Harper explained why keeping all three of them in the backcourt is a difference-maker for San Antonio.
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“I think what’s so special is that we’re three dominant guards, but we both — we all play both sides of the ball. And I feel like there’s 6’3″, 6′5″ and 6‘6″. Me and Steph can guard one through three, one through four. So, I mean, I feel like there hasn’t been a team like us assembled where we all — like, we all play both sides of the ball, and we’re unselfish all the time,” he added.
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The next Steph and Klay?
While he did not talk about Fox, Charles Barkley recently said that Castle and Harper will be the most dominant backcourt duo over the next decade, even comparing them to Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
“Those two guards, I don’t want to see them for the next 10 years if I’m a guard in the NBA, Harper and Castle,” Barkley said on The Bill Simmons podcast. “If I’m a guard in the NBA, I don’t want to see them, boys, for the next 10 years. They’re going to be the next Steph and Klay.”
There’s no question Castle and Harper would give the Spurs their ideal starting backcourt, with both guards offering two-way ability and elite athleticism. But as Harper pointed out, having another elite guard in Fox gives San Antonio a unique advantage. Wembanyama may be their best player, but their three-headed backcourt could ultimately be the biggest edge they have over the rest of the league.
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This story was originally published September 8, 2026 at 11:29 PM.