Chris Paul to the Spurs sounded fantastical and unlikely when the rumors first started last week, but reports indicate the Los Angeles Clippers star would consider San Antonio a destination if he were to leave LA.
ESPN reporter Marc Stein tweeted about the potential destination for Paul on Friday, then elaborated in a story that said Paul would give “serious consideration” to the move.
If Paul decides to go elsewhere, San Antonio would be a real possibility as a landing spot.
The Spurs, sources say, are increasingly considered a lock to at least secure a face-to-face meeting with Paul when free agency begins July 1, despite the fact San Antonio would almost certainly have to sacrifice considerable roster depth to make him a representative contract offer.
As daunting as some of the moves are that San Antonio would have to consider to create the requisite salary-cap space to aggressively pursue Paul, one source said of the Spurs’ interest in the veteran floor leader: “They love him.”
The price they’d pay in losing existing assets to put Paul in black and silver is pretty significant. Patty Mills and Tony Parker are likely castoffs, and Pau Gasol’s contract situation is up in the air as well. It’s a huge risk, but with Manu Ginobili’s status next season already up in the air, it’s very possible San Antonio sees big changes this summer. Adding Paul to the Spurs might give them a better shot of competing in the West against Golden State, especially if Kevin Durant decides to stick around after this season.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, is taking the threat of losing Paul seriously. Though Doc Rivers says he’s sure Paul is coming back, Stein’s report indicated their courtship of Jerry West to their front office is a move designed to keep Paul in LA.
Free agency is still a month away, but sources say the Clippers, meanwhile, have already begun contemplating roster and organizational changes aimed at convincing Paul to re-sign.
Sources say the Clippers’ pursuit of NBA legend Jerry West to join its front office, as ESPN reported earlier this week, is an example of a potential addition aimed at swaying Paul to stay.
It’s said Paul loves Los Angeles, but the Clippers have never gotten to a conference finals and Paul is desperate to find postseason success and win a title. Joining Golden State like Durant is definitely out of the question, but the Spurs are a pretty strong backup plan, if both sides can make it work.
