Potential blockbuster Kevin Durant Spurs trade could lure top free agent back

With the San Antonio Spurs expected to select guard Dylan Harper second overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, that seemingly leaves little place for Chris Paul. Despite starting all 82 games for the Spurs this season, NBA insider Marc Stein is not expecting Paul to return to the team next season.

In fact, Stein believes that the Dallas Mavericks could even lure him away. However, with rumors swirling about a potential Kevin Durant trade, it's not entirely impossible for Paul to return to the Spurs next season.

Could Chris Paul re-sign with the Spurs this summer?

Whether Paul will return to the Spurs is, of course, up to him, but money likely wouldn't be an object, with San Antonio having non-Bird rights for Paul. That means that they can give him a 105% raise on his $10.3 million salary from this season without having to dip into the mid-level exception to do so.

That's a big deal in the event that they are able to trade for Durant. While acquiring Durant could result in the Spurs being $12.2 million over the salary cap, they could push to include Malaki Branham in the deal.

That would allow them to save $4.9 million in salary for next season. Trading him would ensure that they have enough wiggle room underneath the luxury tax to use their mid-level and bi-annual exceptions and bring Paul back at a slight raise.

Chris Paul may have to choose between playing time and contending

If San Antonio trades Devin Vassell in the Durant trade, it would clear out a starting role for Harper. That would mean the Spurs' starting lineup for next season could feature De'Aaron Fox, Harper, Stephon Castle, Durant, and Victor Wembanyama.

Should that happen, it would free up minutes at backup point guard for Paul. Paul still appears to value playing time. However, he may have to choose between sacrificing minutes to be on a championship contender or joining a team like the Mavericks.

There, he would likely start on a team that might only contend for the play-in tournament. Additionally, Paul would likely only be a short-term starter, with Kyrie Irving expected to return in January of next year.

That could help keep Paul in San Antonio if the Spurs are able to pull off a Durant trade. With a bench of Paul, Julian Champagnie, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, and a backup center such as Brook Lopez or Luke Kornett, the Spurs would have a championship-caliber roster.

Ultimately, whether Paul returns will depend largely on whether the Spurs are able to trade for Durant. If they're able to include Branham in the deal, then it would clear out not only playing time but enough space underneath the luxury tax to be able to bring Paul back. Stay tuned!