The season has been over for only some days for the Spurs however the rumors involving them are beginning to crop up. The most recent has them as a possible suitor for Chris Paul if the long run Corridor-of-Famer components methods with the Warriors, as Mark Stein wrote in his Substack ($):
“A possible staff to look at, ought to Paul and the Warriors half methods, is San Antonio, Among the many early personnel rumbles in circulation: The Spurs may emerge as a Paul suitor in the event that they resolve to pursue some veteran know-how on a short-term contract foundation to furnish presumptive Rookie of the Yr winner Victor Wembanyama with extra seasoned assist in Yr 2.”
Let’s take a better take a look at the rumor.
Why Paul to the Spurs is sensible
The Spurs appear finished experimenting with the purpose guard place. They settled on Tre Jones as their starter this previous season and Blake Wesley as his backup. Paul, even at age 39, may enhance the rotation, as he’s a greater shooter than each and has expertise on successful groups and enjoying subsequent to different stars. San Antonio may provide him a begin place whereas holding his minutes down by counting on Jones and all the time have an excellent flooring basic on the court docket. For a staff that struggled a lot with turnovers, bringing in an additional regular hand could possibly be beneficial.
Paul can be a pick-and-roll grasp who may assist in the half court docket. He punished the Spurs’ drop protection for years and will kind a scary duo with Victor Wembanyama to do the identical to others. If groups have their heart stick to Wemby to keep away from the lob, Paul can constantly hit mid-range jumpers, and in the event that they step as much as comprise him he’ll discover Victor for alley-oops. San Antonio wouldn’t be getting the star model of Paul, however as a stopgap veteran, he is sensible on the court docket.
Why Paul to the Spurs doesn’t make sense
How does Paul really get to San Antonio, precisely? The Warriors may assure the final yr of his contract value simply north of $30 million in hopes of buying and selling him for reinforcements, however ought to the Spurs spend belongings on a guard who’s near retirement? It doesn’t appear rational. And the Warriors wouldn’t go for a package deal that features a few of Devonte’ Graham, Zach Collins and possibly Jones. Golden State may merely not assure his contract, making him a free agent, however why would Paul select the Spurs then, when he may go to a contender? Or why wouldn’t he merely re-sign with the Warriors for much less to stick with them, which is what Stein says he prefers?
Past cap logistics, the opposite large query is do the Spurs want Paul? It could possibly be an excellent sign to Wembanyama that they’re attempting to enhance, however Paul is now not a difference-maker, so if he’s their large addition, the playoffs would stay a distant risk. He would carry extra order to the offense however doing so may necessitate enjoying at a decrease tempo and taking the ball out of youthful gamers’ fingers, which doesn’t appear preferrred. It could possibly be a good short-term transfer however no long-term plans that may contain a 39-year-old.
Don’t have a good time or panic, as a result of Paul to the Spurs appears unlikely
Whether or not you want the concept of including Paul or hate it, the fact is it looks as if an unlikely state of affairs. Stein says Paul is comfy in Golden State, so it wouldn’t be stunning to see him re-sign at a decrease wage. He’s not a starter on a contender at this level, however loads of good groups may use him, so if he leaves his present staff he’ll have loads of provides from established playoff hopefuls. Getting the chance to begin in addition to enjoying below Popovich and subsequent to Wembanyama could possibly be engaging however Paul doesn’t have a few years left within the NBA and shifting once more to a metropolis he doesn’t know as an alternative of prioritizing familiarity or chasing a hoop makes little sense for him.
As for the Spurs, whereas including Paul would assist regular them within the quick time period, it could halt the event of Blake Wesley, who confirmed some promise, whereas not catapulting them into competition. It could be a comparatively minor transfer, which might match the reviews that they aren’t doing something drastic this offseason, however one with a number of potential roadblocks.
Paul and the Spurs will possible be linked till the purpose guard’s future is set, however the realities of his scenario and San Antonio’s make his addition tough.
