Report: Spurs Sign Chris Paul to One-Year Deal

The Silver and Black add an invaluable veteran presence to their rebuilding roster.

The San Antonio Spurs have opened free agency with a resounding statement, signing Chris Paul to a one-year, $11 million contract. Chris B. Haynes of Bleacher Report was the first reporter to break this bombshell news on Twitter a little less than three hours after the negotiation period began at 5 p.m. CT.

While the 39-year-old is fresh off his first experience as a sixth man, a season in which he hovered near career lows across the board, the front office has secured a short-term rental at point guard who can operate as a dependable pick-and-roll partner for Victor Wembanyama and extension of Head Coach Gregg Popovich.

Paul is no longer a superstar capable of steering teams to deep postseason runs, but he can still deliver immense value as an on-court and locker-room presence for one of the youngest rosters in the league. His mentorship could also streamline the development of Stephon Castle into a full-time facilitator.

Should fans expect the Silver and Black to make a legitimate playoff push with Paul on board? Anything is possible when you have a franchise cornerstone like Wembanyama at the helm, but this organization must make additional moves before anyone cements them as a top-six seed in a grueling Western Conference.

General Manager Brian Wright still has alternative routes to bringing in other instant-impact free agents this summer. San Antonio can create up to $16 million in cap space if they waive Devonte’ Graham, Charles Bassey, and Julian Champagnie, providing the Spurs enough money for a decent offer for rumored target Tobias Harris.

Does it feel realistic for this team to cut ties with Bassey and Champagnie for a shot at Harris? My gut tells me probably not, but they will have multiple mid-tier options like Kyle Anderson, Caleb Martin, and Nicolas Batum left on the table. Despite a relatively quiet day one of free agent festivities, more deals are undoubtedly in the works.

Chris Paul was the first domino to fall in the 2-1-0, and we will have brand-new words covering the 12-time All-Star up on The Vic-and-Roll this week. Stay tuned for our sit-down with Golden State Warriors writer Joe Viray as we pick his ingenuous basketball brain to see how CP3 can still make a mark on both ends of the court.