This offseason, the San Antonio Spurs are one of the league’s most exciting teams to watch. After years of accumulating assets, they still have the opportunity to improve their perspective, and their present and future are bright.
The 2024–25 top eight scorers and San Antonio’s promising core, led by French sensation Victor Wembanyama, have contracts for the upcoming campaign. Additionally, they have the Nos. 2 and 14 overall picks in this year’s draft, opening the door for the possible addition of two more gifted young players. However, veteran point guard Chris Paul’s status is said to be worth keeping an eye on since he is about to enter free agency ($).
Chris Paul is expected to leave the Spurs in free agency, according to signs.
“Anticipation is building that Paul could be on the move again this offseason,” according to well-known NBA insider Marc Stein. A break may be imminent, even if the 40-year-old played a crucial mentoring role in his first and possibly only campaign in San Antonio.
However, the 12-time All-Star’s contributions to the team are not particularly related to the impending Spurs-Paul split. The other players on the roster and one who might soon join the team are more important.
“The reality now, though, is that San Antonio acquired De’Aaron Fox in February and just watched Stephon Castle assemble a Rookie of the Year season,” Stein stated.
Dylan Harper, a terrific guard from Rutgers who is regarded by many as the second-best incoming prospect of the 2025 class, is another player Stein brings up. The Spurs have not considered trading out of the chance to choose him as of this writing. San Antonio is keen to call his name on June 25 in addition to this.
“Since winning the May 12 draft lottery, San Antonio has likewise attempted to convey a desire to rival teams that it intends to keep the No. 2 overall pick in next month’s draft to select Rutgers’ Dylan Harper,” Stein stated.
Yet, even if the front office goes in a different direction, the longtime pundit suggests we’ve seen the last of Paul in a Spurs uniform.
“With or without Harper in the Alamo City next season, it is difficult to see how there would be room in the Spurs’ backcourt next season,” Stein stated.
Between Fox, Castle and presumably Harper, the Spurs already have a bevy of on-ball creators. Figuring out how to deploy them harmoniously is challenging enough for first-year full-time head coach Mitch Johnson, who recently shed the interim label. Another mouth to feed would only further complicate matters.
In his 20th season as a professional, Paul nonetheless demonstrated that he is still a valuable contributor. He created history by averaging 8.8 points, 7.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. This late in their career, “The Point God” became the first player to start and play in all 82 games. An impressive accomplishment that demonstrates his longevity.
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