Whereas the primary 17+ hours of free company has been unusually quiet (perhaps groups are lastly taking anti-tampering guidelines critically and never making behind-the-scene offers earlier than the negotiating window even opens), one of many larger preliminary shocks of day 1 was 39-year-old Chris Paul seemingly giving up his quest for a championship ring and becoming a member of the younger San Antonio Spurs.
In talking with NBATV final night time, Chris Haynes, who initially broke the information of the signing (which technically received’t occur till July 6), revealed he had spoken with Paul, and he’s “very keen and motivated” to start out for the Spurs and play alongside Victor Wembanyama. Haynes mentioned Gregg Popovich bought him on the tradition and what they’re attempting to construct, and Paul is keen to indicate he nonetheless has it as a participant.
After noting the comparability to his time with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, once they had been on the similar stage of their rebuild because the Spurs at the moment are and the way he helped them drastically enhance in closing video games, Greg Anthony went on to elucidate what a very good mentor Paul will likely be for the younger Spurs and the way they need to see a pure bounce to play-in contenders in 12 months two of Wemby.
That’s all properly and good, however most likely the most important takeaway is that Paul is anticipated to start out for the Spurs, a minimum of initially. That will or might not be stunning, relying on who you ask, but it surely does beg the query: the place does that place Tre Jones and Stephon Fortress within the rotation? It clearly strikes Jones to backup level guard, which if we’re being trustworthy is most probably the place his profession will lead (to not point out, we’re hoping the Spurs are accomplished with Munchkin lineups), however maybe the larger query is for Fortress.
A degree guard going into school who agreed to play out of place for the sake of UConn profitable a nationwide championship, the idea has been the Spurs will a minimum of attempt to return him to his pure place. This places them within the conundrum of will he start his NBA profession as a wing, be it beginning subsequent to Paul or coming off the bench subsequent to Jones, or does Jones fall to 3rd string level guard regardless of realizing the system, Wemby, and having the complete belief of the teaching workers? (We’re working below the idea that Fortress is not going to be spending a lot, if any, time in Austin.)
In the end it’s a bit early to know for certain, however will probably be fascinating to see how issues pan out at level guard. Personally, I might be intrigued by a possible beginning lineup that includes Paul, Fortress, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan and Wemby. It might actually be stout defensively, and Fortress might act as a secondary playmaker whereas studying from Paul and never being instantly thrown into the proverbial NBA hearth. On the similar time, we will hope that Vassell, Sochan and Wemby preserve enhancing as outdoors shooters to assist the offense sustain whereas, barring any huge trades, they’d have a way more dependable bench unit behind them than final season, led by Jones and Keldon Johnson.
Extra excellent news is that if this pairing doesn’t work, Paul is on a really tradable contract at reportedly simply 1 12 months, $eleven-plus million. And who is aware of? Possibly the objective is to get his mentorship for half a season earlier than sending him to a contender that wants “another piece”. Even when that’s not the case, right here’s one thing to bear in mind.
The Spurs are working on a one-year timeline proper now. The objective is to maintain as a lot cap house and roster spots open for 2025 as potential, when each the draft and free company class will likely be a lot stronger. This strikes brings the veteran management that followers (and Wemby) wished with out impacting the longer term. Paul might not have all the time been a favourite opponent of Spurs followers, however assuming he buys in — which it seems like he has — will probably be very useful down the highway.
