Report: Spurs expected to start Chris Paul

Chris Paul signed a one-year, $11 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs at the onset of free agency. The move was somewhat shocking as the Spurs are in the early stages of rebuilding around Victor Wembanyama, who was born the same year the 12-time All-Star made his NBA debut.

Chris Haynes shared that the opportunity to start was among the reasons the veteran point guard joined San Antonio. Speaking on NBA TV’s Free Agent Fever, the NBA insider stated:

I spoke to Chris Paul. He’s very eager and motivated for this opportunity to return to a starting role. He still believes that he’s a starter. He still believes he can play at an elite level. And he’s excited about the chance to pair up with Wembanyama.

He said him and Gregg Popovich had a really good talk today and Pop just sold him on the culture and what they were trying to do. You’re going to get a really inspired and motivated Chris Paul at this stage of his career. He wants to show and prove to people that he still has it.

Paul had never came off of the bench prior to his one-year stint with the Golden State Warriors in 2023-24. He made just 18 starts in 58 games played and had the worst season of his 19-year career. He averaged 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.1 blocks in 26.4 minutes per game while shooting 44.1% from the field, 37.1% from three-point range and 82.7% from the free-throw line.

"I spoke to Chris Paul… He's excited about the chance to pair up with Wembanyama… Pop just sold him on the culture and what they're trying to do." @ChrisBHaynes on CP3 landing with the Spurs pic.twitter.com/bMLeGbftJy

— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 1, 2024

Chris Paul contract could allow him and the Spurs to part ways prior to the season’s end

Mar 7, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Chris Paul (3) gestures to teammates during the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Many expected Chris Paul to sign with a contender and ring chase as he nears the end of his career. Instead, he joined the rebuilding San Antonio Spurs on a one-year pact. The structure of the contract reportedly allows the sides to part ways prior to the end of the season. Keith Smith of NBA Front Office Show shared the news, tweeting:

Quick Chris Paul thoughts… $11M is an interesting number. Very tradable, should the Spurs hit the deadline and want to get him to a contender. A team with their MLE could even bring him in by using the MLE as a TPE. Also: $11M is less than the NTMLE amount. That means if Paul wants a buyout, he can join any contender. Yes, any. Even a first or second apron team.

The opportunity to earn significantly more than the veteran minimum, return to a starting role, and potentially have his pick of contender’s when the title picture becomes clearer was likely too great for Paul to pass up. While he was coming off of a down year, he will look to prove that it was a fluke.

Quick Chris Paul thoughts…

$11M is an interesting number. Very tradable, should the Spurs hit the deadline and want to get him to a contender. A team with their MLE could even bring him in by using the MLE as a TPE.

Also: $11M is less than the NTMLE amount. That means if Paul…

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 1, 2024

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