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De'Aaron Fox has been under fire for his NBA Finals performance, but his struggles were a product of an injured ankle. His ailment was well-known, but that hasn't stopped the criticism, so the 2026 All-Star guard needs a bounce-back. He'll look for it when the new season arrives in October, but what if things don't go as he plans? A horrendous year could cut his stint with the Spurs short—something his critics would love. Good players can spiral when the pressure becomes too much What would be his worst possible outcome? Another injury that either sidelines Swipa for a stretch or keeps him from performing to his full ability? No. Playing poorly despite being healthy would be much worse. Players have down years all the time, and that's certainly on the menu for Fox depending on how he responds to the pressure he's facing. Fans have been pretty brutal at the ex-Sacramento star's expense. During the postseason, Fox mentioned not paying attention to the noise, but there's no way he's unaware of how he's currently perceived. The hate mobs haven't been very subtle. If he's the competitor we hope him to be, he'll respond strongly to the talk, but that's not a guarantee. Take a look at Ben Simmons. The former 76er was on an upward trajectory until his infamous playoff debacle against the Atlanta Hawks. His career crashed and burned after that, as Philly fans piled on him, and he couldn't handle the intensity of their vitriol. It's an extreme example, but the point remains. Good and promising players can go downhill under the right circumstances. Fox's Spurs reality is already different than he expected Fox came to San Antonio likely expecting to be Victor Wembanyama's number two. Hell, everyone thought he'd be the second-in-command. Instead, Fox ended up in a slightly lesser role than Stephon Castle. Despite that revelation, he still gave San Antonio one of his most efficient offensive seasons (48% FG). He helped lead the team to their first NBA Finals appearance in over a decade, but instead of being showered with love for his contribution, he's been berated for not finishing the deal. Feeling a lack of appreciation or betrayal from not just analysts but also the city's and the team's faithful could cause resentment. Resentment could lead to a bad product. I'm not saying that's what's going to happen. In the range of possibilities for next season's outcomes, it's on the board, though. If Fox turns in a lackluster year, the Spurs would be well within their rights to change course and move him sooner than originally intended, clearing the path for Dylan Harper to take over. That's what most people seem to want anyway. Whether they get it will depend on how much heart Swipa has.