The Spurs made their first transfer in free company by agreeing to phrases with future Corridor-of-Fame level guard Chris Paul, in accordance with Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes. He’ll signal a one-year, “$11 million-plus” contract, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
It’s an fascinating determination from the Spurs to usher in a veteran on his final legs into the fold, however Paul is not only any former star. He’s been among the finest level guards the league has ever seen, a grasp of the decide and roll that even on this late age can elevate the play of huge males who display for him or punish defenses with a lethal elbow jumper that tormented San Antonio’s drop protection for years. He’s additionally been identified to be a tricky however truthful chief who can command the respect of a locker room. His vocal type can and has alienated teammates previously, however that shouldn’t be an issue with the Spurs, since everyone seems to be already used to a disciplinarian like Gregg Popovich guiding them. If it made sense to signal any 39-year-old, it was Paul.
What will likely be necessary to recollect is that Paul isn’t a star anymore. He has averaged profession lows for 3 seasons in a row in scoring and final season his per-game numbers had been 9.2 factors, 6.8 assists and three.9 rebounds, positively respectable however not mind-blowing by any means. He was enjoying subsequent to a high-usage scoring guard and a ahead who shared playmaking duties in Stephen Curry and Draymond Inexperienced, respectively, however it will be silly to anticipate to see prime CP3 all of the sudden return in San Antonio. He’s additionally by no means been essentially the most sturdy participant, which suggests different guards might want to step up when he inevitably misses time. He’s not a savior, and the Spurs won’t be able to depend on him to unravel each subject that they had on offense final season.
Fortunately, he doesn’t have to show again the clock to be useful. Just by having him cut up level guard minutes with Tre Jones, the Spurs may have a gradual hand on the helm always, which ought to do wonders for an offense that turned the ball over an excessive amount of and would generally get confused about performs final season, as most younger groups do. The match subsequent to Victor Wembanyama can also be nice within the half-court since Paul could make groups that gear their whole protection into stopping lobs and pocket passes pay through the use of his pull-up jumper from mid-range. The vary doesn’t lengthen to past the arc anymore, as Paul had made simply 30 p.c of his pull-up threes within the final three seasons, however he’s sufficient of a risk just by being prepared to let it fly that opponents need to account for him.
The key issues are about his function and whether or not the Spurs will alter to him or he’ll alter to them. Paul got here off the bench in Golden State for 40 of the 58 video games he suited up for and logged a career-low 25.4 minutes a sport for the Warriors final season, exhibiting a willingness to sacrifice his particular person numbers for the nice of the staff. However he did that on a franchise that had large ambitions earlier than struggling. Will he be prepared to do it in San Antonio, particularly if there’s a gradual begin, or does he see himself as a serious piece amongst untested teammates? Right here’s how Haynes described the assembly Paul reportedly had with Gregg Popovich and Paul’s expectations:
Chris Paul had a terrific discuss with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and was bought on the tradition and alternative to assist elevate the sport of Victor Wembanyama. CP is raring and motivated to showcase he’s nonetheless an elite guard on this league. https://t.co/SUgdpWviVQ
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2024
Paul isn’t an elite guard anymore and making an attempt to reclaim that former glory may very well be detrimental to him and the staff. The Spurs may completely use a ground normal who can play off the ball, look to go first and compete on protection for 20-25 minutes a sport, and Paul ought to be capable to give them that. If he as a substitute tries to have the offense run by means of him by slowing down the tempo and dominating the ball like he did in his prime, he’ll drive a staff that was constructing an id round ball motion and tempo (second in assists per sport final season and third in tempo) to make an enormous adjustment. Change isn’t essentially dangerous, particularly after a 22-win season, however Paul will solely be in San Antonio for a short while and adapting to him is senseless.
Whereas there are some potential points, it’s too early to get overly involved about what may go unsuitable. Paul is a great participant who in all probability understands he’s becoming a member of a younger staff in a mentor function. He may get pissed off if the Spurs don’t win a lot or he struggles, however there appears to be a stage of mutual respect with Gregg Popovich that ought to maintain every thing copacetic each on the courtroom and within the locker room it doesn’t matter what. Whether or not he’s beginning subsequent to Stephon Fortress or backing him up, he’ll educate him rather a lot about being a scorer and playmaker and can elevate Wemby’s play as he has with each heart he’s performed with in his storied profession. And since he’s on a one-year deal, there’s no danger to his addition, and if issues go poorly he may very well be traded or waived.
The Spurs didn’t get the star level guard many followers had been hoping for heading into free company, however Chris Paul may find yourself being of super assist to the rebuild, each on and off the courtroom, if he buys in. So long as the expectations about his function align between the franchise and the legendary ground normal, this may very well be a small step in the proper route for a San Antonio mind belief that continues to be affected person however is clearly on the lookout for a base stage of competence.
