(Carlos Osorio/AP)
The San Antonio Spurs were swept out of the Western Conference Finals and now have plenty of questions to answer in the postseason.
Chief among those questions is how the Spurs will reinforce their point guard position. Tony Parker was having a bad season and his recent injury leaves even more questions around his production in the future. Patty Mills is a free agent. Meanwhile, Dejounte Murray showed promise in the playoffs but it’s unclear how ready he is for a bigger role.
That’s why the Spurs have been linked to many free agent point guards. The most notable is Chris Paul, the Clippers’ superstar about to hit free agency. After a disappointing season saw the Clippers fall in the first round, there’s intrigue around CP3’s offseason decision.
According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe on the Lowe Post podcast, there’s “mutual interest” between Paul and the Spurs. Transcription via Ryne Nelson of Slam:
“I know they’re concerned about their point guard position. Dejounte Murray looks good, but he’s not ready yet.
“There’s been a lot of rumblings about Chris Paul, and I think that’s real. I think there’s mutual interest there.
“I don’t know how real it is given that the Clippers can offer a gigantic amount of money and are also a really good team. And also that the Spurs have no cap flexibility to get there.
The biggest question is money, as Lowe points out. Paul was the main player representative in the new CBA negotiations which would allow him to sign a deal north of $200 million with the Clippers. Meanwhile, the Spurs would have to do some gymnastics to clear enough room for a max deal.
If the two sides do have interest, however, there’s a chance this can work out. Most everyone believes Paul would be a phenomenal fit with the Spurs.
