There may be substance behind the rumors that Chris Paul would consider joining the Spurs, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN.com. As a guest on a podcast with ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz, Lowe suggested there is “mutual interest” between the parties.
Paul is considered certain to exercise his early-termination option and give up nearly $24.27MM for next season. He has a June 29th deadline to make that decision. Paul would be eligible for a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $205MM if he remains with the Clippers.
However, at 32, he may put a greater value on a shot at a championship, and San Antonio, which reached the Western Conference finals this year, could improve his chances.
Money would be a major impediment if Paul decides to go that route, as any team other than L.A. would be limited to an offer of four years at about $152MM. Then there’s the matter of cap room. With Pau Gasol expected to opt in for 2017/18, San Antonio only has about $10MM to spend, a figure that could decrease if Dewayne Dedmon ($3MM) and David Lee ($1.6MM) both decide to opt in for another year.
If Paul’s interest is sincere, it could prompt the Spurs to try to shed some salary before the July 1st start of free agency, especially considering their fragile point guard situation. Incumbent starter Tony Parker suffered a ruptured left quadriceps tendon in this year’s playoffs and isn’t guaranteed to be ready for the start of next season. He turned 35 in May and has one year left on his contract, so he doesn’t figure to be in the organization’s long-term plans. Backup Patty Mills is headed toward free agency, and Dejounte Murray played just 38 games as a rookie.
If Paul does consider leaving the Clippers, he will be among the most highly sought-after free agents on the market. A nine-time All-Star, he remains among the top point guards in the league, averaging 18.1 points and 9.2 assists this season.
Trade Gasol and stretch Parker and you’re about there in opening up max cap space.
Lol, Chris Paul and Popovich in the same locker room.
Who wins that battle of egos and wills ??
Remember the jazz chose Deron Williams over the arguably more talented Paul because of Chris’s strong ego and personality.
And the Utah Jazz are known for making good franchise decisions so there’s no need to question this argument at all
Chris Paul is the most overrated “superstar” in the last 20 years.
You are out of your mind, Paul is a 4 time 1st All NBA player and a hall of famer. You put him on the Spurs with Pop under him he will easily be in the Finals next season. Then again I prefer they just start Murray, the kid can score,pass, and shoot the 3 pointer and is fearless. Spurs might be better off signing Ingles, he’s a Pop product and can guard multiple positions and invest the rest of the money on Greg Monroe. Pop can work Monroe into a legit starting center
Pop is a great coach, but he’s not a miracle worker (Monroe).
put your clipper and chris paul bias out of your mind and come to your senses please
Spurs should go for it, they are in win now mode.
theyre always in win now mode
They’ve been in win now mode for 20 years.
Chris Paul is a ball dominated PG can he even fit into SA ball movement system
have you ever watched chris paul play basketball
CP to the Spurs means no more championships for the Spurs in the near future.
I’m not a Chris Paul fan … I say stick with pretty much the same team.
I would leave CP3 and D-Rose along and go after George Hill and play him at the point since he is a combo guard. He know our system and has the size and ability to guard.
They can work a trade for Rubio instead of Paul i dont Think Paul’s game fit in S.A