De'Aaron Fox will be the San Antonio Spurs' highest-paid player every season through 2030, thanks to a contract loophole that gives him a long-term financial edge over teammate Victor Wembanyama.

Fox signed a four-year, $229 million maximum veteran extension with the Spurs earlier this year. That deal is valued at the full 30% maximum salary slot. Wembanyama, meanwhile, agreed to a five-year, $252 million rookie-scale extension but took the standard 25% rookie max instead of the 30% he was eligible for.

How does the contract loophole work?

Veteran maximum contracts are structured at a higher percentage of the salary cap than rookie-scale extensions. That's the key difference.

Fox's deal kicks in at 30% of the cap. Wembanyama's starts at 25%. Even though Wembanyama is the franchise superstar and led the Spurs to a near championship last season, his annual salary will trail Fox's for the life of both contracts.

Fox will earn $49.5 million in 2026-27. That jumps to $53.5 million in 2027-28, then $57.4 million in 2028-29, and finally $61.4 million in 2029-30.

Why it matters for De'Aaron Fox

Fox's contract has drawn criticism. Bleacher Report's Dan Favale ranked it as the fourth-worst deal among the NBA's eight least favorable contracts in a recent league-wide evaluation.

But the Spurs aren't complaining. Wembanyama's team-first approach to his own extension gave San Antonio extra financial breathing room. Even with Fox's hefty salary, the Spurs still have cap flexibility to build around both players.

Fox played a major role in San Antonio's run to the NBA Finals last season. His scoring and playmaking were essential. The Spurs' front office has shown no indication they're considering a move, despite ongoing speculation about Fox's future.

What comes next for the Spurs?

San Antonio has its core locked in. Fox and Wembanyama are both under contract through at least 2029-30. That gives the franchise stability.

Some analysts think Fox's deal is above market value. But the Spurs see it differently. They have the salary-cap room to keep adding pieces and keep their championship window open.

For Fox, the contract loophole means he'll be the top earner on a team with championship aspirations. That's a strong position for any NBA player.