Is Chris Paul willing to sacrifice a lavish Los Angeles lifestyle and money on the table for a better chance at winning a championship? We’re about to find out.
The Clippers, I'm told, take the threat of a Spurs free-agent pursuit of Chris Paul very seriously despite SA's current lack of cap space.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 26, 2017
I’ve been writing has the Spurs’ window closed in challenging the Warriors? Acquiring Chris Paul would certainly change that narrative. Many still regard Paul as a top four point guard in the league, alongside Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving. The 32-year-old Paul still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
When he hits the open market on July 1, this decision will be a real one for Paul. He’ll leave close to $30 million on the table if he doesn’t sign a max contract with the Clippers. But at the same time, he’s never been out of the second round of the playoffs with Los Angeles. The team has been snake-bitten by injuries and they do not match up well with the Warriors. At all. Signing with the Spurs would again make them the clear No. 2 seed in the West.
“They are manure right now,” Stephen Jackson said on FS1 Friday about the Clippers.
To sign Paul, the Spurs would likely have to either move on from LaMarcus Aldridge or free-agent-to-be Johnathan Simmons — both would be excruciating losses. Also keep in mind Gregg Popovich will turn 69 next January. He can’t coach forever and could persuade San Antonio’s front office to make an all-in type of move for Paul.
In 61 games last season Paul averaged 18.1 points, 9.2 assists and shot 47.6 percent from the field. Blake Griffin is also a free agent in July for the Clippers. Los Angeles has won 50-plus games in five straight seasons but has very little to show for it.