After another early playoff exit with the Clippers, Chris Paul is expected to exercise his early-termination option, give up almost $24.27MM for next season and hit the free agent market. If and when he does, the Spurs have quickly come to the forefront as a possible destination for the nine-time All-Star.
There has been rumored “mutual interest” between both sides and while San Antonio has limited cap space, the Clippers view the Spurs as a serious threat for Paul’s services, per ESPN’s Marc Stein (link via Twitter). As previously noted, to make room for Paul’s hefty salary, the Spurs would likely have to renounce the rights to Patty Mills and not match an offer sheet to restricted free agent Jonathan Simmons. Additionally, Dewayne Dedmon and David Lee have player options the Spurs would likely have to renounce to swing an agreement with Paul — trading Tony Parker, LaMarcus Aldridge, or Danny Green could make space, too.
At 32 years old, Paul is still one of the best players at his position and in the NBA. Adding him to a Gregg Popovich-led Spurs could help the team — which was swept by the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals — possibly supersede Golden State in the Western Conference.
Last October, Paul said to reporters, including ESPN’s Andrew Ham, that he does not look ahead, instead prioritizing his current situation.
“And I always say this — I don’t think about things long term,” Paul said. “I think about right now. I don’t know who said it — somebody said it: The funny thing about the NBA is, everybody comes into the season pretty optimistic. You know what I mean? Everybody is like, ‘Oh, this could be our year.’ I guess it’s one of those things only time can tell.”
Six years in Los Angeles has not yielded a championship and Paul is not getting any younger. However, the Clippers, led by Doc Rivers, have always been on the verge of greatness but have fallen short each year. It will be up to Paul to decide what he wants to do.
That brings up a series of important questions: Does it make sense for the Spurs to devote a significant chunk of their cap space to Paul? Would acquiring Paul be the move that puts the Spurs over the top? Is staying with the Clippers Paul’s best best at a championship?
Share your thoughts on Paul down below!
Simply put. The answer is No.Mills could be let go because I think Bryn Forbes has the potential to be him or better especially if improves his pg skills. Plus George Hill would be a better option and he can take a discount. Keep in mind they have Miltounov and Hanga coming next season with Nemanja Dangubić, Cady and Hanlan waiting for their turn. The spurs need to find a way to make Tony retire and trade lamarcus because hes not the answer like most had of hoped. They’ll compete with paul on the roster but they would need to revamp that entire roster and have them learn the system the right way. Not sure if thats how the spurs would like to run things there. Keep it homegrown. Plus next summer they’ll have the flexibility to sign someone big.
Just Trade Parker.
Lee plays for Warriors.
I think they have to if they want to contend with the warriors right now. While there depth will be gone, they’ll have a better facilitator in place, that way kawhi can play off ball. While the Spurs would have to change their offense and Chris would have to change his, it would work, and help give less pressure to lamarcus, making it easier to do pull ups from mid range, and Lund the ball inside. They’ll have to either give up pau, or he opts out of his contract and goes for the minimum. Parkers contract is much, and you’d waive him with the stretch provision over three years, or if he comes back trade him to any team that will take his contract, like a rebuilding nets, 76ers. That’d be enough for Chris. Maybe after they sign him they can go into luxury tax, or sign guys to the minimum or use the mid level exception. But Dejounte can run the backup point. Bryn Forbes is capable for back up at shooting guard. Will still have Kyle Anderson at back up small forward. And we can work with signing big men with the minimum, etc. The Spurs would manage. But if they are more for the future then I’d wait. But I highly doubt that the Spurs wouldn’t do everything they could to win now.
*pound not Lund.
They will sign Paul but make it a ridiculously team friendly deal that will allow them to keep Pau
No, too much work, it’s be like the work the warriors did to get KD, except spurs don’t have the team the warriors did before the warriors got KD. It just doesn’t seem something the spurs would do, sacrificing depth for one player.
I think Paul either stays or goes to Chicago or Miami. Just my gut feeling. I think the one to leave the Clippers is Blake even though reports say he will stay. OKC may be strapped for cash but they can make the room for him and I think they not only really need him but he’d love to play for his home town team. Another team he may go to is the Celtixs. That team has the cash for him and who wouldn’t want to go play for that team? They are so close. Ass Blake Griffin and the number one pick and I think it helps them get that edge to possibly knock off Cleveland if not this next year the next after that for sure afte rails of the young guys develop a little more. Anyone have any thought a ok where CP3 Ana Blake Griffin go? Does anyone else think it’s time to shake up the Clippers? I think they should trade for Carmelo personally and bring back CP3. Blake is a beast but he can’t stay healthy.
pretty sure if it’s ah mutual interest between the 2 they get ah deal done and keep all their major pieces in place… just like golden state… everyone give up money to add another star player