The 2016-17 NBA season is less than one week away what better time to start talking about free agency then right now.
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Wait, what?
Preseason is still going strong and some are already talking about possible free agents and suitors for those players that are in their last year of contract with their respective teams.
Case in point, Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski.
During his podcast, The Vertical Podcast, “Woj” mentioned Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul, who will be free agents at years end. During his show, he speculates the San Antonio Spurs might chase the All-Star point guard in next summer’s free agency period.
“There’s going to be teams like the Knicks, I think the Spurs and it’s very interesting. The Spurs now are involved, whenever there is a big free agent now, they’re in the mix. They put themselves really since getting LaMarcus Aldridge, whether it was even Kevin Durant last year taking a meeting, he looked at them.”
“But I think San Antonio would be in the conversation there with Chris Paul there at the table in the event he starts looking.”
Could Paul be a good fit for the Spurs?
Lets dive into some pros and cons of this happening:
Pros:
- -Great defender.
- -Exceptional passer.
- -A true point-guard that facilitates the game.
- -Likes the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.
- -Makes everyone better on the floor.
- -Leadership.
- -Work ethic.
- – A scorer.
Cons:
- -Age.
- -When he is shut down on the offensive end, it effects the whole team.
- -Mistake prone. Tends to get into a rush and will commit turnovers.
- -Inconsistent jump shot.
- -What about Tony Parker? Do you jettison him?
With that said, do you still feel that Paul would be a good fit for San Antonio?
The Spurs have proved they can make a player out of anyone within their system. Paul, heading into his 12th season, is a player that the Spurs can use on their team. It is close to a no-brainer.
What Paul has done and continues to do with the Clippers is make everyone around him better. He trusts in his teammates. He is an exceptional passer and though he does force passes at times, he still is a threat on the floor.
Paul in his career is averaging 18.8 points, 9.9 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and is shooting just under 48-percent from the field. During the 2015-16 season, he averaged a shade under 20 points, 10 assists and shot 46-percent from the field.
There is no doubt what Paul can bring to the Spurs, but can this really happen?
Financially, the Spurs will have some cap space next season, so on this front it could work should Paul demand a max or a near-max deal. But do not forget, he can score a bigger payday staying with the Clippers.
Let’s also not forget, Parker will still be under contract with San Antonio next season. Will Parker take a back seat to CP3? Will the Spurs have to trade Parker in order to make this happen? Will the Spurs tell Parker they are going in a different direction and he is no longer needed despite all he has done for this franchise?
There are areas within the Spurs that have drawn free agents like LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol to sign with San Antonio. The winning pedigree, the locker room atmosphere, the five championships, there is a foundation that has been built in San Antonio and every player on the roster knows their roles. Not to mention a chance to play with All-Star Kawhi Leonard. This would work to help convince Paul to make the jump to S.A.
Must Read: Tony Parker to be more of a facilitator this season
Regardless, the Spurs will do their due diligence and there will be a sit down with Paul if he does decide to explore his options. How far that will go we shall see.
No matter where he does decide to go, someone will be getting a pretty good point guard to run their team whether it be the Clippers or another team.