De'Aaron Fox’s San Antonio Spurs added free-agent guard Jordan McLaughlin on July 13, locking in insurance behind their star point guard after a season marred by injuries.
What happened?
McLaughlin agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Spurs, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on July 13. The deal keeps the 32-year-old guard in San Antonio for a ninth NBA campaign, after he appeared in 44 games last season.
Why it matters for De'Aaron Fox
Fox missed significant time in 2025-26. He opened the season late with a right hamstring injury, then had surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left pinkie that ended his partial season in March 2025. He also battled right ankle soreness during the Western Conference finals, missing the first two games of the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
McLaughlin won’t replace Fox’s production — Fox averaged 18.6 points and 6.2 assists in the regular season. But the Spurs need more than three playable guards to navigate injuries, foul trouble, rest nights and schedule congestion. McLaughlin averaged 2.0 points, 0.9 assists and 0.7 rebounds in 6.4 minutes per game last season, converting 42.5% of his 3-point attempts.
What comes next?
The one-year deal preserves roster flexibility. San Antonio now has 14 standard roster spots filled, leaving one opening for another addition. The move keeps Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper as the primary backcourt options, with McLaughlin ready to step in when needed.
McLaughlin’s role is limited but specific. He won’t demand offensive volume or disrupt development of younger players. Instead, he offers steady minutes, reliable decision-making and enough shooting to avoid damaging spacing. The Spurs’ depth chart places Harper and Castle in prominent roles, with Fox as the lead point guard.
Head coach Mitch Johnson now has a veteran who already understands the system and the tendencies of the team’s core. That familiarity matters when Fox’s health remains a question mark entering another deep playoff push.