Sneaky stat proves Chris Paul’s value to Spurs is higher than some realize

Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama have the highest-rated plus/minus number (+180) of all two-man lineups on the Spurs roster this season. Some fans will probably be shocked to know that CP3 is involved in quite a few of the best two-man lineups for San Antonio. He may not be what he once was, but Paul can still play. We just need to look at his contributions with nuance.

Chris Paul has positive plus/minus numbers with several players when you look at two-man stats because he's Chris Paul. He elevates most of his teammates offensively due to his advanced basketball IQ. It's the defense where he struggles. When he had a better defender next to him, it was less of an issue, but it doesn't work next to De'Aaron Fox.

CP3 can be more effective in a lesser role

The Point God spent most of the year coming off the bench when he was with the Warriors. That was the case almost every time they went on a winning streak, but when he started, they were a .500 team (9-9). They finished the season 46-36, meaning they played below their standard when Chris Paul started.

Many people seem to believe San Antonio promised Chris Paul a starting role for the duration of the season prior to his acquisition last summer. If that's the case, the Spurs have no choice but to honor their word, but the onus then shifts to CP3. He must be the one to go to the coaching staff and say, "I'll take a backseat."

The Silver and Black desperately needed him to start when he first joined the team. They still need him for his veteran leadership and experience, but they only need him to play about 20-25 minutes a night. He can run the bench unit and give them the organization they need to run more effectively.

While Stephon Castle is having a standout year, he's not quite ready to orchestrate the offense to the level this team needs for the entire unit to thrive. De'Aaron Fox's arrival should permit San Antonio to consistently put out lineups with a talented floor general. The decisions are so baffling that a national NBA analyst accused the Spurs of tanking.

A team with the leading Defensive Player of the Year candidate, the leading Rookie of the Year candidate, the sixth-highest bench scorer in the league, who just acquired Swipa from Sacramento, cannot be tanking. Rather, they should not be tanking.

Playing a starting lineup with Fox and Paul gives San Antonio an extremely small backcourt. While Fox can be an aggressive defender at times, and they can both get the occasional steal, neither is exactly a defensive stalwart. That makes Wembanyama's job much more difficult. The Spurs' starters ranked 18th in defensive rating in the five games Fox and Paul have started together.

Prior to Fox's arrival, San Antonio's starting five ranked 8th in the league, but during that stretch, they always had either Stephon Castle or Jeremy Sochan—good defenders—in the game. Making these connections is very simple. The Spurs' new point guard and their literal old one shouldn't be starting together. Hopefully, Chris Paul can see that and puts his ego aside to let Fox take charge.