I know some people think we could have done more or didn't do enough but we gave Fox every chance to be the shining star of this franchise and for this to happen now is just the biggest stab in the heart. He could have given it his all, signed an extension, and asked to be traded if we didn't reach the second round or WCF in 2 years but this happened. He has undone everything I ever felt about him.
Agree with everything you say here.
WRT the bolded portion, I'll keep reiterating the same thing. Not reaching the 2nd round or higher isn't an indictment on the franchise, it's an indictment on De'Aaron Fox. He's supposed to the franchise player. They gave him the 2nd contract then surrounded him with Keegan, Malik, HB, Sabonis, and now Deebo, yet he hasn't elevated the team.
That's squarely on him, no one else.
If he couldn't elevate this roster beyond first round or play-in game and out -- how's he going to elevate the Spurs? They're several games behind the KINGS in the standings.
If the Spurs make a jump with De'Aaron on the team it'll be due to Wemby taking steps or a couple of their current role players taking steps. It won't be because they now have #5.