The Well-Worn Park Bench of Chris Paul

[Chinook]

I actually like this move, especially if Castle starts at SF next to him rather than backing him up. If not, Jones should be traded, even though you want PG depth with his age.

[ace3g]

So what # will he wear?

[CGD]

I suspect this means Castle is off the bench until he’s ready to take the reins as the year goes on. Def think Tre is on the move.

[Mr. Body]

Fucking brilliant, what I was waiting for.

Every young team he's been on improved their play. He just boosts the understanding. I get he wears out his welcome, but that won't happen here. Castle gets a great mentor.

He gets flexibility to move on next summer if he wants.

The contract is pretty dang cheap so he can be moved to a contender that really needs him during the season.

Talk about trading Tre doesn't make sense. Not like CP is here forever, and he can learn from Paul, too.

No real expectation about starters at this point. Doesn't really matter right now. Can have Tre and Stephon come in off the bench. Just see what works.

[Mr. Body]

Let's get Batum and there's your short-term great vets you need right now.

[slick'81]

Paul finishing his career in sa:flag:

[ace3g]

If Keldon lets him wear #3

https://x.com/BP3/status/1807584117178905021

[scott]

1 year, $11mil. Not the worst deal. Wonder if this means Castle is viewed as a wing?

Finally the earth shattering move the Spurs Media Braintrust has prepped us for.

[scott]

I wanna see Cliff Paul forced to wear some bullshit jersey number like #61.

[scott]

Can't think of a better possible mentor than CP3 for Rob Dillingham. Master stroke of genius here.

[thOOdee]

Can't think of a better possible mentor than CP3 for Rob Dillingham. Master stroke of genius here.

F@CK ROB DILLINGHAM! Even if he reaches the heights of chris paul, all that would get us is continued first round knockouts and maybe one finals appearance, ala chris paul.

[TrainOfThought5]

Can't think of a better possible mentor than CP3 for Rob Dillingham. Master stroke of genius here.

not gonna lie. This kinda pisses me off when you think about it like that.

[mo7888]

I really like this signing alot. He'll make everyone around him better and more competitive and that's what we need this year..

[SouthernFryd]

You think 30 PG's might be overkill?

[jesterbobman]

I think CP3 has been very well received when he's joined young teams, he gets a bit annoying to players when they're more experienced that they're not looking to be given constant directions from a PG. Worked well in LA at the start, in OKC, helped the Phoenix jump up a level. We're very young, a the mentoring is probably worth it. Probably a slight overpay on on court value (but like, a few million). Perfectly fine as a 1 year deal.

Couldn't think of a better on court teacher for Castle etc, moves Vassell to lower responsibility as a less on ball player next to CP3, but the future hierarchy and focus of the build is still clear.

[Dejounte]

Phoenix took the next level when CP3 came, and stayed like that after he left. CP3 will elevate the game of all the players on the roster.

[benefactor]

Pop is tired of coaching but doesn't want to quit. Enter Chris Paul.

[Fizziksman]

Pop is tired of coaching but doesn't want to quit. Enter Chris Paul.

TBH

[spurraider21]

Would have preferred him a year ago, but as I’ve said… he may not be a mentor/leader type but he leads by example, will demand accountability/professionalism from the kids. He helped okc go from a mess to organized and elevated Phoenix from a young talented team to a legit contender.

one year deal is a no brainer. Bring in Batum for a year as well

[Chinook]

Would have preferred him a year ago, but as I’ve said… he may not be a mentor/leader type but he leads by example, will demand accountability/professionalism from the kids. He helped okc go from a mess to organized and elevated Phoenix from a young talented team to a legit contender.

one year deal is a no brainer. Bring in Batum for a year as well

The single-best thing about Paul being on the team is he will teach Wemby how to be a real roll-man. No one else on the Spurs had the experience or cachet to do so. But Paul isn't going to take that "slip the screen and throwing up your hands with three guys around you" technique that Victor came into the league with. I think he's going to teach him how to hold his screen and read the defense so he can time his rolls better. It's the same way Paul was able to help DeAndre Jordan back in the LAC days or Tyson Chandler was able to help Paul back in the NOP days. As I've said a million times, it makes no sense to thing young bigs need a young PG. They should have an experienced PG work with them.

[Mr. Body]

I think it's also overall game management. So many times last year when the pups would get overwhelmed by a veteran team amping things up and making runs. As the season progressed they got better at fighting back or making runs of their own. Chris Paul has seen every game situation conceivable and knows how to keep his head.

This seemed to help the Thunder and Suns young players start to trust themselves and learn to adapt to changing game situations. Inexperienced players often get blown away.

[widowmaker]

Wow

[spurraider21]

Would have been great to have Paul tame Dillingham as well tbh

it still hurts

[scott]

Underrated aspect of this signing: Spurs can now opt for the double occupancy room at the nursing home, save some money and get Pop a roommate.

[Mr. Body]

Would have been great to have Paul tame Dillingham as well tbh

it still hurts

They weren't ever picking Dillingham though.

[99 Problems]

:bobo

[playbonner15]

1 year, $11mil. Not the worst deal. Wonder if this means Castle is viewed as a wing?

Finally the earth shattering move the Spurs Media Braintrust has prepped us for.

There's a good chance CP3 will mentor Castle like he did for SGA

[John B]

What will be the Spurs’ record with CP3? He’s not here to lose. He took OKC to the playoffs. And with PG13 leaving the Clippers, the Dubs losing Klay, etc. The Spurs might slip in there in the playoffs, maybe.

1 Thunder
2 Nuggets
3 Timberwolves
4 Mavericks
5 Grizzlies
6 Suns
7 Kings
8 Spurs
9 Pelicans
10 Rockets
11 Lakers
12 Clippers
13 Warriors
14 Jazz
12 Trailblazers

[Raven]

I actually like this move, especially if Castle starts at SF next to him rather than backing him up. If not, Jones should be traded, even though you want PG depth with his age.

come on, enough with that. He's not going to see a minute as a sf, at least in principle. He'd have to flop really hard to be considered a sf.

[scott]

What will be the Spurs’ record with CP3? He’s not here to lose. He took OKC to the playoffs. And with PG13 leaving the Clippers, the Dubs losing Klay, etc. The Spurs might slip in there in the playoffs, maybe.

1 Thunder
2 Nuggets
3 Timberwolves
4 Mavericks
5 Grizzlies
6 Suns
7 Kings
8 Spurs
9 Pelicans
10 Rockets
11 Lakers
12 Clippers
13 Warriors
14 Jazz
12 Trailblazers

John B, you're an inextinguishable beacon of hope... but please tell me you're kidding this time.

[Raven]

Would have been great to have Paul tame Dillingham as well tbh

it still hurts

i'm really enjoying the meltdowns over such an easy bust to predict lol

[John B]

John B, you're an inextinguishable beacon of hope... but please tell me you're kidding this time.

Do you see any of the teams below better? The Spurs are not tanking for sure. They will play the right way with CP3 on the helm. And I doubt if the Spurs are done. I expect to see another 2 vets signing.

[scott]

Do you see any of the teams below better? The Spurs are not tanking for sure. They will play the right way with CP3 on the helm. And I doubt if the Spurs are done. I expect to see another 2 vets signing.

Yes? Like, all of them other than the Jazz and Blazers :lol

You think CP3 is the added piece we need to pick up the 20+ game gap between us and the teams above? You also left out the Grizzlies, who should also be better than us.

[John B]

Yes? Like, all of them other than the Jazz and Blazers :lol

You think CP3 is the added piece we need to pick up the 20+ game gap between us and the teams above? You also left out the Grizzlies, who should also be better than us.


If you say so. And I put Grizzlies at 5th

[spurraider21]

They weren't ever picking Dillingham though.
They should have

[mystargtr34]

Yeah I think the only team the Spurs are a lock to be better than are the Jazz and Blazers. Even the Blazers with Clingan and Avdija should improve by 5-10 wins just for their size and defense.

Thunder
Wolves
Nuggets
Mavs

Suns
Grizzlies
Pelicans
Lakers
Kings

Clippers
Warriors
Rockets

Spurs
Blazers
Jazz

Tbh

[Obstructed_View]

There's a good chance CP3 will mentor Castle like he did for SGA
If you think Castle has a chance to be a player in this league, there might not be a better person for him to spend every day with.

[Obstructed_View]

What will be the Spurs’ record with CP3? He’s not here to lose. He took OKC to the playoffs. And with PG13 leaving the Clippers, the Dubs losing Klay, etc. The Spurs might slip in there in the playoffs, maybe.

1 Thunder
2 Nuggets
3 Timberwolves
4 Mavericks
5 Grizzlies
6 Suns
7 Kings
8 Spurs
9 Pelicans
10 Rockets
11 Lakers
12 Clippers
13 Warriors
14 Jazz
12 Trailblazers
As usual, it all hinges on if certain first round draft picks show up to camp with a reliable three.

[RC_Drunkford]

What will be the Spurs’ record with CP3? He’s not here to lose. He took OKC to the playoffs. And with PG13 leaving the Clippers, the Dubs losing Klay, etc. The Spurs might slip in there in the playoffs, maybe.

1 Thunder
2 Nuggets
3 Timberwolves
4 Mavericks
5 Grizzlies
6 Suns
7 Kings
8 Spurs
9 Pelicans
10 Rockets
11 Lakers
12 Clippers
13 Warriors
14 Jazz
12 Trailblazers

:lol @ Clippers at 12 with Kawhi and Harden on the team. Pelicans also got better. Lakers and Dubs are trying to add pieces. We're tanking and might, just might make it to the 10th seed.

[playbonner15]

They should have

Who's a better pick? Dillingham or Nunez?

[Dejounte]

https://youtu.be/-j5xDDhuURk?feature=shared

[Dejounte]

Yes? Like, all of them other than the Jazz and Blazers :lol

You think CP3 is the added piece we need to pick up the 20+ game gap between us and the teams above? You also left out the Grizzlies, who should also be better than us.

CP3 will prevent this team from playing like a discombobulated mess. Towards the end of last year, the team started to play sharper and hesitated less on running plays. I think with CP3 we start that way instead of ending that way and feed off that momentum as the season goes along. Structure is an underrated aspect of how successful a team is vs the talent that is on the team. Folks are going to be surprised how good the team is, IMO. This is like how night and day it was when Tre was running the show vs how Sochan was… and how much the team looked better because of it.

[Chinook]

come on, enough with that. He's not going to see a minute as a sf, at least in principle. He'd have to flop really hard to be considered a sf.

No. It seems basically certain he'll play some SF at this point. To think otherwise is just putting one's head in the sand. Unless you think he and Paul will never play together.

[Dejounte]

Another component here is that stars on other teams will see how well Paul and Wemby play together and will desire to flock over here even more after seeing it. Folks here need to hope this works out well and translates well, because it won’t look good if adding Paul doesn’t translate to wins. It might make people’s minds change about Wemby and they will believe that he isn’t a winner. The narrative will change and people will think he is a career loser.

[Mal]

I fucking hate Chris Paul, but this maybe good move for young Spurs team.

[Raven]

No. It seems basically certain he'll play some SF at this point. To think otherwise is just putting one's head in the sand. Unless you think he and Paul will never play together.

why do people think castle will start? I think it's a given that he will not. I mean...

[Chinook]

why do people think castle will start? I think it's a given that he will not. I mean...

He'd probably be the SF on the bench too. Color me all kinds of skeptical that Branham will be sent to the deep bench so that Castle could play the two.

Paul, Jones
Vassell, Branham
Champangie, Castle
Sochan, Johnson
Wembanyama, Collins


That would be the likely rotation to my eyes if Castle comes off the bench.

[spursparker9]

CP3 will be Pop's successor to be next Spurs Head Coach

Calling it first

[Dejounte]

Top 10 picks have historically started for the team. They’re held to a higher standard.

[LeBowen]

I didn't expect Spurs to sign another point guard.
I guess having CP3's leadership was too good to pass on and I can get behind the decision.

Castle should and will start, but having both Castle and Jeremy on nominally forward positions won't work.
Jeremy has to be benched and I think 6th man role would be way better for him at this stage of his career.
Wesley is most likely definitely gone, he has no NBA skills whatsoever.

I'd also prefer to move Tre. If he stays, Castle won't be getting any minutes as the primary ballhandler.
Start CP3 and Castle, but stagger their minutes so one of them is always on the floor.
30mpg for both. Together on the floor to start and close the game out. 18mpg for Castle as the point guard sounds reasonable.

Hopefully we move Tre+Keldon for a starting wing and then get another wing in FA to space the floor.

CP3/Devin/Castle/?/Wemby starters.
Malaki/?/Jeremy/? off the bench, at least as the initial rotation.

I think Malaki is useless, but Pop still hasn't given up on him.
I put a question mark for backup C position because I detest Collins and I'm hoping he gets moved.

[Raven]

He'd probably be the SF on the bench too. Color me all kinds of skeptical that Branham will be sent to the deep bench so that Castle could play the two.

Paul, Jones
Vassell, Branham
Champangie, Castle
Sochan, Johnson
Wembanyama, Collins


That would be the likely rotation to my eyes if Castle comes off the bench.

seems reasonable.. i mostly expect him to be in lineups with wesley or malaki where they cover each others flaws, at least until the all star weekend.

[spurraider21]

Who's a better pick? Dillingham or Nunez?
Dillingham, and not close. Nunez is a point guard who (sigh) can’t shoot, and isn’t athletic enough to be a good defender, and may or may not even come to the states this year or maybe ever

If Dillingham didn’t pan out as a starter he had a long career ahead of him as a bench microwave scorer/creator

[rascal]

Do you see any of the teams below better? The Spurs are not tanking for sure. They will play the right way with CP3 on the helm. And I doubt if the Spurs are done. I expect to see another 2 vets signing.

Yes NO has a great team.

[scott]

seems reasonable.. i mostly expect him to be in lineups with wesley or malaki where they cover each others flaws, at least until the all star weekend.

Man, if we give Castle this treatment (which is how we used to treat rookies when we were actually good), then really wtf is this team doing? It wouldn't surprise me if Pop did this, it would just be incredibly stupid of him.

[BackHome]

Well you all wanted trades so now you got to deal with it LOL Also, you know Pop loves his old Vets he will be given plenty of playing time at others players expense

[Raven]

Man, if we give Castle this treatment (which is how we used to treat rookies when we were actually good), then really wtf is this team doing? It wouldn't surprise me if Pop did this, it would just be incredibly stupid of him.

not sure what nba have you been watching, but unless a team has nobody on the spot, they really need to impress to start... i mean, how many rookie starters do you remember from last year?

[Pauleta14]

Could we stick to one CP3 thread? :lol

[scott]

not sure what nba have you been watching, but unless a team has nobody on the spot, they really need to impress to start... i mean, how many rookie starters do you remember from last year?

Not sure if you've noticed, but our team sucks ass. If Castle is backing up Champagnie for any amount of time, boy have we lost the plot.

[scott]

Could we stick to one CP3 thread? :lol

This is the official CP3 thread from here to eternity

[CitizenDwayne]

If Dillingham didn’t pan out as a starter he had a long career ahead of him as a bench microwave scorer/creator

This. Again, Dilly haters around here severely underrating the guy. He’s a walking bucket who will contribute early. Seriously comparing him to Nunez is comical tbh.

I could easily see Dilly going down as the best player in the draft.

[KobesAchilles]

Castle is starting and CP3 is coming off the bench. We don’t draft a kid #4 and not start him. Plus you don’t sign CP3 to teach the kid how to play PG and then not play him PG. makes no sense

[Pauleta14]

This is the official CP3 thread from here to eternity

cool, then let me copy/past that...

Interesting observation from a journalist on the domino effect that lead Paul to SA...

I wonder if PATFO just jump on the opportunity or had this option in mind for a while.

https://x.com/JakeLFischer/status/1807805777177981244

[CitizenDwayne]

Castle is starting and CP3 is coming off the bench. We don’t draft a kid #4 and not start him. Plus you don’t sign CP3 to teach the kid how to play PG and then not play him PG. makes no sense

Couldn’t Vassell start at 3, with Paul and Castle in the backcourt? With the assumption that Castle will be the PG of the future

[Raven]

Not sure if you've noticed, but our team sucks ass. If Castle is backing up Champagnie for any amount of time, boy have we lost the plot.

.... right... castle on the ground of his 11 ppg and 2.5 ast in college clearly is a plug and play guy..

[scott]

.... right... castle on the ground of his 11 ppg and 2.5 ast in college clearly is a plug and play guy..

Now do Jeremy Sochan

[Dex]

Castle is starting and CP3 is coming off the bench. We don’t draft a kid #4 and not start him. Plus you don’t sign CP3 to teach the kid how to play PG and then not play him PG. makes no sense

Castles not a proven PG anyways, start him at the 2 and give him some ball-handling responsibilities while letting Paul run the show and let him learn

Paul/Castle/Vassell/Sochan/Wemby
Tre/Branham/Johnson/Mamu/Collins

[KobesAchilles]

Couldn’t Vassell start at 3, with Paul and Castle in the backcourt? With the assumption that Castle will be the PG of the future
The Spurs could do that but they won’t. If anything they would move Castle to SF over Vassell. But Castle is here to play PG. we have a guy here who is brought in to teach Castle how to play PG. Playing Castle another position is a waste of time and does nothing to develop him. I had hoped we wouldve learned our lesson with Sochan. CP3 might close over Castle in the 4th ala Manu. But he isn’t starting over him

[DAF86]

not sure what nba have you been watching, but unless a team has nobody on the spot, they really need to impress to start... i mean, how many rookie starters do you remember from last year?

We literally have nobody on the spot. :lol There's no way Castle comes off the bench. He's the 4th highest pick in the history of the franchise. All the recent high picks have started right away.

[KobesAchilles]

Castles not a proven PG anyways, start him at the 2 and give him some ball-handling responsibilities while letting Paul run the show and let him learn

Paul/Castle/Vassell/Sochan/Wemby
Tre/Branham/Johnson/Mamu/Collins
The only way to learn how play PG is to actually play PG. And Castle was a PG in high school. He just gave it up for one year in college. The longer we keep him away from the position he is supposed to play the worse it is for him in development. SG and PG are two way different positions and responsibilities. Castle needs to go through the fire, lean on Chris Paul for advice, watch CP3 up close and personal, and then try his best to mimic what he is learning

[LeBowen]

Tre should be traded.

CP3/Devin/Castle as starters, stagger CP3 and Castle so one of them is always on the floor.
If both play 30mpg, they would start and close out games together, with Castle having ~18mpg as the primary ballhandler.

[Dex]

The only way to learn how play PG is to actually play PG. And Castle was a PG in high school. He just gave it up for one year in college. The longer we keep him away from the position he is supposed to play the worse it is for him in development. SG and PG are two way different positions and responsibilities. Castle needs to go through the fire, lean on Chris Paul for advice, watch CP3 up close and personal, and then try his best to mimic what he is learning

Which he can do from playing the 2.

He can watch Chris Paul in practice all he wants, it's not the same as the game. My opinion is to let his play alongside Paul and see how things actually look in action, then slowly taper responsibilities from Paul to Castle.

I'm sorry, but throwing an untested rookie who is not a PG into the starting lineup from day 1 and expecting them to run a team is not a good way to develop them. We saw how the whole Sochan experiment blew up in Pop's face.

[KobesAchilles]

Which he can do from playing the 2.

He can watch Chris Paul in practice all he wants, it's not the same as the game. My opinion is to let his play alongside Paul and see how things actually look in action, then slowly taper responsibilities from Paul to Castle.

I'm sorry, but throwing an untested rookie who is not a PG into the starting lineup from day 1 and expecting them to run a team is not a good way to develop them. We saw how the whole Sochan experiment blew up in Pop's face.
1. Sochan had never (and I mean never) played PG in his life. Also Pop did Sochan a disservice anyways by not bringing in a veteran back up PG to teach Sochan. But Castle dribbles way better than Sochan. He’s much faster than Sochan and he is a much better passer than Sochan. The Sochan experiment was a half baked idea that the franchise themselves didn’t go all in on. That was Pop’s ego thinking he could do anything

2. Castle has played PG before. He played it on high school. He is only one year removed from playing PG and the longer you don’t do something the harder it is to remember how to do it. This isn’t a bicycle. You don’t just hop on and remember. Castle has to practice as a PG. He has to play as a PG in games. He needs all the reps as a PG. He doesn’t need any reps of anything else bc he won’t be playing any other position and shouldn’t be playing any other position.

3. Spurstalk has this weird thing where they think that positionless basketball is a real thing. And it isn’t. You still need a fucking PG. The PG position is waaaaay different than the SG position. They share none of the same responsibilities at all. They are in different places on defense, the SG has way less a role on the offense. You’re basically saying Castle will learn how to play PG by being in Danny Green’s role or KCP or whomever. It doesn’t work that way at all. Castle needs to learn how to set up the tempo of the whole game. He needs to learn where his teammates like the ball. He needs to initiate the offense and run pic n rolls as the primary guard. He needs to learn when it’s ok to look for his shot and when he needs to slow things down and just run through Wemby. He will learn none of this as a SG

4. CP3 is washed. Spurstalk didn’t watch him play last year so they assume he can still start. But he can’t. The dude cannot get in the lane anymore. He can’t finish at the rim and he can’t really execute the offense anymore like he used to do. What he still has is about 25 minutes a game in him where he can use his smarts and vet experience to play pretty well. But he isn’t someone you want as a starter and he isn’t a player anymore that you want in front of your #4 pick in the draft who you know plenty of PGs have started when they are picked top 5.

[The Truth #6]

Yeah, he's washed. Part of a long tradition of getting legends at the denouement of their career. Dominique. Moses. Et cetera.

[The Truth #6]

I think he may be just as helpful on the bench yapping at players when they screw up like a coach.

[Russ]

The thing that's good about this is that it's so off the Spur's timeline that it's actually on it.

If CP3 was 25 that might be a problem, but at his age it's a non-issue -- by the time they get really good CP3 will be long gone.

This might be a trend for the Spurs signing established free agents.

[thiste]

We literally have nobody on the spot. :lol There's no way Castle comes off the bench. He's the 4th highest pick in the history of the franchise. All the recent high picks have started right away.

5th

Sean was drafted at #3.

[paperboy77]

I actually like this move, especially if Castle starts at SF next to him rather than backing him up. If not, Jones should be traded, even though you want PG depth with his age.

Probably the best player dedicated thread name. :bobo

[TrainOfThought5]

5th

Sean was drafted at #3.

David, Tim, and who am I missing?

[Seventyniner]

David, Tim, and who am I missing?

The tallest one of all.

[Chinook]

The tallest one of all.

Edey?

[Obstructed_View]

David, Tim, and who am I missing?
Vic?

[Seventyniner]

Vic?

Yup. The tallest #1 draft pick the Spurs have ever had, that's what I meant.

[Obstructed_View]

Yup. The tallest #1 draft pick the Spurs have ever had, that's what I meant.
Well I know you know. :lol

[ace3g]

https://x.com/FredKatz/status/1851280010889285999

[scott]

This is like needing a Jedi Warrior but all you get is old, about-to-die, Yoda

[TheBallsbreakers]

This is like needing a Jedi Warrior but all you get is old, about-to-die, Yoda
See how this season plays out, let us.

[exstatic]

This is like needing a Jedi Warrior but all you get is old, about-to-die, Yoda

Mean, are you!

[scott]

CP3's commitment to the team should never be questioned. Homie changed his name and everything.

https://i.redd.it/eco5b2v82the1.jpeg

[Dverde]

Only Keldon can make us miss Branham.

[CGD]

Serious question: is CP3 our lowkey tank commander this season?

[LeBowen]

Tbh, I'm back to team CP0.
Fuck him and his ego.
Leadership and mentorship is great until it's time for his student to take over...which he can't accept and has to shove himself into the closing lineup.
He's got a higher IQ than Mitch and obviously knows he can't be out there with Fox/Castle/Devin already on the floor, he already got absolutely shit on all game long due to his lack of size, but his ego is too big to sit it out and we lose the game.

I'd honestly be happy if a top contender calls us for a buyout, there's nothing to gain from CP3's on court ability since we got Fox.

[Manu-of-steel]

Tbh, I'm back to team CP0.
Fuck him and his ego.
Leadership and mentorship is great until it's time for his student to take over...which he can't accept and has to shove himself into the closing lineup.
He's got a higher IQ than Mitch and obviously knows he can't be out there with Fox/Castle/Devin already on the floor, he already got absolutely shit on all game long due to his lack of size, but his ego is too big to sit it out and we lose the game.

I'd honestly be happy if a top contender calls us for a buyout, there's nothing to gain from CP3's on court ability since we got Fox.

Agree with this. The youngsters are doin great, he should have been the first to say- let them do their thing, they're doin great. I'll be out cheering for them. CP3 was a defensive liability on this game

[scott]

Something to keep an eye on... we may have watched CP3's last game as a Spur last night. The deadline to buy him out in time for him to be eligible for a playoff roster is Saturday.

If it is his last game with us, it will have been a fairly unceremonious 4 point, 4 assist game... but I'll have been happy for his time here. Despite how the season has spiraled out of control at this point, he did bring some stability to the team and showed us some glimpses of what can be. No doubt he imparted some lessons on our young guys.

Will be watching this space.

[LeBowen]

Something to keep an eye on... we may have watched CP3's last game as a Spur last night. The deadline to buy him out in time for him to be eligible for a playoff roster is Saturday.

If it is his last game with us, it will have been a fairly unceremonious 4 point, 4 assist game... but I'll have been happy for his time here. Despite how the season has spiraled out of control at this point, he did bring some stability to the team and showed us some glimpses of what can be. No doubt he imparted some lessons on our young guys.

Will be watching this space.

If he actually gets a buyout, which I don't think will happen, I'd be 2/2 with my hater avatars, I'm coming for Mitch next. :lobt:

[Raven]

i don't see the point of playing him.

[RC_Drunkford]

they not buying him out

[Leetonidas]

Yeah CP can gtfo. Thanks for the early season contributions but we have a real PG now and your services are not needed any longer

[Bruno]

Well, a possible scenario would be that Paul sticks with Spurs for the end of the season and comes back next season as a head coach.

I don't know what Paul wants to do after his playing career but I definitively can see him becoming a great coach if it's his wish.

[scott]

Have seen it suggested multiple times that CP3 move into coaching after he retires, but it also seems like being away from his family in LA is weighing heavily on him. He may just want to spend some time with them until his kids finish high school before he jumps into coaching. While his playing days are an ever dwindling hourglass of time... coaching can wait.

[CGD]

I don't recall if there have been rule changes (so please educate me if this is obvious), but doesn't it make sense to keep him on the books for a possible draft day trade? He's a 10M expiring, and that's gotta have some value if the Spurs want to overpay someone to move up in the draft.

[quentin_compson]

I dont know if I'd really want CP3 as a coach right now. He obviously is incredibly smart about the game of basketball, but that doesnt necessarily mean he would make a great coach. I always chuckle a little when I see JJ Redick being all hard-ass in these coaches interviews between quarters - and I would say the early returns for his coaching don't look bad. But with this mostly young team full of mostly career losers, I don't know I'd want the next head coach to be a first time head coach.
My pipe dream as of right now is still Will Hardy.

[spurraider21]

I don't recall if there have been rule changes (so please educate me if this is obvious), but doesn't it make sense to keep him on the books for a possible draft day trade? He's a 10M expiring, and that's gotta have some value if the Spurs want to overpay someone to move up in the draft.
well he's an expiring now. his contract expires when the season ends. so he cant be used in a draft day trade

now, if he does stick around through the end of his deal, we theoretically could sign and trade him when free agency opens up after the draft. but that presumes a team wanting to sign him that doesnt have cap space (or exception) to sign him to his market value. i dont see it happening.

if the spurs dont want him back next season, their best move is to waive him. let him go play elsewhere where he can have an impact. drive us further toward the tank we're already heading toward. give fox/castle backcourt time to figure itself out (unless they shut down fox)

and give Wesley more opportunities since he's under contract for next year anyway

[Strategic]

Looks like Paul made it past the buyout deadline. Either nobody wanted him, or what?

[Ice009]

Looks like Paul made it past the buyout deadline. Either nobody wanted him, or what?

I was holding out hope he might be bought out still. Oh well. If it wasn't for "the promise", I'd be cool with him staying, so I guess we'll see going forward how the minutes are distributed.

[exstatic]

Looks like Paul made it past the buyout deadline. Either nobody wanted him, or what?

He has to want to be bought out, and the Spurs would have to agree. THEN you get to who wants him.

[poopbox]

Looks like Paul made it past the buyout deadline. Either nobody wanted him, or what?

Why would anyone want a 39 year old point guard who can barely move?

No other team ever wanted Chris Paul. That's why he is in San Antonio

[objective]

Looks like Paul made it past the buyout deadline. Either nobody wanted him, or what?

Dunc'd On podcast had speculated that his bird rights might be worth more to his goals in a trade by just staying with SA

If he wants more than the minimum, he's out of luck as a free agent because contenders will want to use their mle on better younger players. But he can do a sign and trade with the Spurs for a raise on this year's money and then get traded, especially if a team has a trade exception.

If he had been bought out he'd be making the minimum and only able to get a raise off that number instead

[dn0774]

If CP3 is still on the Spurs next year with his “starter promise” intact it would be a disaster.

[The Truth #6]

In the Memphis game, I don't think I saw him at all in the fourth quarter which is the only part I watched... Was he injured, or did our interim coach just put on his big boy pants and not play him?

[CGD]

Can someone please remind me again: can CP3’s contract be used in a draft day deal under the new CBA rules?

And if so, does that mean it could be used to offer the receiving team cap relief for the next season?

For example, if we trade Keldon/CP3 for Jru Holiday/assets? Would that help Boston get 10M in relief next year?

[Chinook]

Can someone please remind me again: can CP3’s contract be used in a draft day deal under the new CBA rules?

And if so, does that mean it could be used to offer the receiving team cap relief for the next season?

For example, if we trade Keldon/CP3 for Jru Holiday/assets? Would that help Boston get 10M in relief next year?

Nope. If he had signed a one-and-one, then he could have opted in and been traded. But as a regular expiring, he can't be. Even in that case, his full salary would have been guaranteed and stayed on Boston's books.

[cutewizard]

Come back as Assistant Coach......

[CGD]

Nope. If he had signed a one-and-one, then he could have opted in and been traded. But as a regular expiring, he can't be. Even in that case, his full salary would have been guaranteed and stayed on Boston's books.

Thanks

[Dverde]

Rumors are Mavericks are thinking about adding him to fill in for Kyrie and mentor Flagg. If he wants to start games this makes sense for him.

[John B]

Rumors are Mavericks are thinking about adding him to fill in for Kyrie and mentor Flagg. If he wants to start games this makes sense for him.

That really makes a lot of sense for both. I wonder if Spurs should resign CP3 just to mess that up :rollin

[Ice009]

That really makes a lot of sense for both. I wonder if Spurs should resign CP3 just to mess that up :rollin

Well, I don't care about him actually leaving that much, I care more about him giving a division rival extensive scouting reports on Victor, Stephon and all those guys and what their strengths and weaknesses are.

[Truckules]

As far as I can tell, Dallas will almost certainly be a first apron team when free agency opens. That means the most they can offer CP3 is the taxpayer MLE which is only $5.6 million. The Spurs can offer $12.5 million via non-Bird rights so unless CP3 covets a starting role, I don't see why he'd take that much less money.

[CGD]

He gone

[Dex]

Rumors are Mavericks are thinking about adding him to fill in for Kyrie and mentor Flagg. If he wants to start games this makes sense for him.

While it makes sense (in a sense, if that makes sense?)...the Mavs aren't contending without Kyrie next year, period. The only reason for him to go to Dallas would be minutes.

He's already talked about how he misses being near his family, and I do think he will value a chance to win a ring...so Dallas would be a weird fit in that regard. Probably more like for him to go to the Lakers or something.

[Dverde]

https://x.com/amicohoops/status/1927057973433512120?s=46

[cd021]

As far as I can tell, Dallas will almost certainly be a first apron team when free agency opens. That means the most they can offer CP3 is the taxpayer MLE which is only $5.6 million. The Spurs can offer $12.5 million via non-Bird rights so unless CP3 covets a starting role, I don't see why he'd take that much less money.

With Fox, Castle, and Harper, there just isn't many guard minutes to go around. Even if he wants to return, I don't think it makes sense given how little he'd play.

[lefty20]

Well, I don't care about him actually leaving that much, I care more about him giving a division rival extensive scouting reports on Victor, Stephon and all those guys and what their strengths and weaknesses are.

This is a fair concern. But I'm not sure how much that info can help the Mavs(or anyone else), assuming they have a competent advance scouting department. Those guys have so many hours of footage on Vic and Steph to breakdown and figure out what their weaknesses are.

We fans, not just you in particular, tend to overlook how much really goes on behind the scenes with these pro teams. For example below is an excerpt from a very insightful Shane Battier article..


“…people often say that Kobe Bryant has no weaknesses to his game, but that’s not really true. Before the game, Battier was given his special package of information. ‘He’s the only player we give it to,’ Morey says…

The data essentially broke down the floor into many discrete zones and calculated the odds of Bryant making shots from different places on the court, under different degrees of defensive pressure, in different relationships to other players — how well he scored off screens, off pick-and-rolls, off catch-and-shoots and so on. Battier learns a lot from studying the data on the superstars he is usually assigned to guard.

For instance, the numbers show him that Allen Iverson is one of the most efficient scorers in the N.B.A. when he goes to his right; when he goes to his left he kills his team.
The Golden State Warriors forward Stephen Jackson is an even stranger case. ‘Steve Jackson,’ Battier says, ‘is statistically better going to his right, but he loves to go to his left — and goes to his left almost twice as often.’
The San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginóbili is a statistical freak: he has no imbalance whatsoever in his game — there is no one way to play him that is better than another. He is equally efficient both off the dribble and off the pass, going left and right and from any spot on the floor.

Edit : Link

https://www.interbasket.net/news/nba-scouting-report-manu-ginobili-has-no-weaknesses/1062/

[RC_Drunkford]

I just hope we can somehow sign and trade CP3 to get some assets or a player in return

[Seventyniner]

I just hope we can somehow sign and trade CP3 to get some assets or a player in return

The Spurs only have his non-Bird rights. I think it restricts Paul's first year salary to 120% of last year's, or around $13M. I doubt any team would want to pay him more than that. His contract would also have to be at least 3 years with a minimum of one guaranteed year. There might be some over-38 rule interaction there which could cause problems, but I'm not enough of a CBA expert to know.

[RC_Drunkford]

The Spurs only have his non-Bird rights. I think it restricts Paul's first year salary to 120% of last year's, or around $13M. I doubt any team would want to pay him more than that. His contract would also have to be at least 3 years with a minimum of one guaranteed year. There might be some over-38 rule interaction there which could cause problems, but I'm not enough of a CBA expert to know.

yeah every team could sign him outright but there are apron teams like Dallas that want to load off salary, so maybe they can work something out

[scott]

I hope CP3 does sign with Dallas. He'll get torched and played off the court by any of Fox, Castle or rookie Harper.

[CGD]

I wish him well. He was a pro, for his assists
Milestone as a Spur, and had some bad luck with Pop/Wemby health issues he didn’t expect when he signed. Godspeed PointGod.

[Truckules]

With Fox, Castle, and Harper, there just isn't many guard minutes to go around. Even if he wants to return, I don't think it makes sense given how little he'd play.

I'd argue Castle played most of his minutes at the 3 last year as he spent most of his time on the court with both Paul and Vassell. I actually think there's more of a logjam on the wing between Castle, Vassell, Keldon, and Champagnie. Assuming we add Harper, I'd slot him in that mix too, at least for his rookie season. Having a rookie as the backup point guard makes no sense if this team is trying to compete next season. I guess they could have Castle be the backup PG and start Champ, but I'd much rather just have Paul there. I think there's more room for Paul than there is for Keldon and Champ.

[KingKev]

Tbh we could still use him as a backup or 3 rd string point guard. Paul only came here because we overpaid and I suspect they aren’t prepared to pay up this year.

[exstatic]

Tbh we could still use him as a backup or 3 rd string point guard. Paul only came here because we overpaid and I suspect they aren’t prepared to pay up this year.

We don’t have much actual cap room, so why not? Wemby is still cheap.

I’m not so much sold on needing him as much as keeping him away from Dallas, who are in desperate need of a PG. Fuck those guys.

[ginobilized]

I'm terribly unlearned as to the CBA and rules around trades, etc.

Is there a scenario where we can trade CP3 for PJ Washington? That would be some real value. Getting Paul's mentorship was huge last season, adding Washington would toughen us up and add that thing that I've forgotten. It starts with and S. Shooting! Yeah, shooting might be good.

[KingKev]

We don’t have much actual cap room, so why not? Wemby is still cheap.

I’m not so much sold on needing him as much as keeping him away from Dallas, who are in desperate need of a PG. Fuck those guys.

I see your point. I think both parties see where they are at come late free agency and go from there.

[Guru of Nothing]

I'm guilty of creating my own narrative here, but I kind of want CP3 involved with our upcoming season because getting the Fox-Castle-Harper is a unique and large undertaking, and I think bringing him back for one more season as Chief Shepard is a good idea - think about how much Mitch Johnson has on his plate right now. I envision minimal usage under normal circumstances (maybe 15 minutes a game, say 50 games - just enough to work through things, if needed).

I'm sure I've mentioned this previously too and sound like a broken record, but realistically I see a shot at at ring by 2027, and I think CP3 might too. If he asks to come back for this reason with minimal impact on salary cap, does PATFO say, "nah."?

[drpill]

He just wants to hoop.

[stnick2261]

yup.... assistant coaches make like 1 million a year. If he was ready to start coaching, I'd keep him on the roster so he could get paid more (while coaching Harper like he did Castle). But if he wants to just play, there's no opportunity for that here.

[Dverde]

He can bookend his career at New Orleans yelling at Zion to get back on defense. Dejounte’s injury opens up a guard spot for him. I still think it’s Dal or LAL.

[Truckules]

I'm terribly unlearned as to the CBA and rules around trades, etc.

Is there a scenario where we can trade CP3 for PJ Washington? That would be some real value. Getting Paul's mentorship was huge last season, adding Washington would toughen us up and add that thing that I've forgotten. It starts with and S. Shooting! Yeah, shooting might be good.

Yeah, a sign and trade of CP3 for PJ Washington would work. Washington will be on the last year of his contract so it's possible that Nico might value 3 years of CP3 more than 1 of him. He's a hard player to figure out his value since his counting and advanced stats are nothing special, but his on-off is pretty good. On top of that, he's not a particularly good shooter, and I know lots of Spurs fans are clamoring for more shooting.

[scott]

I have a hard time believing that any team is going to want to have CP3 under contract for 3 years.

[Ice009]

This is a fair concern. But I'm not sure how much that info can help the Mavs(or anyone else), assuming they have a competent advance scouting department. Those guys have so many hours of footage on Vic and Steph to breakdown and figure out what their weaknesses are.

We fans, not just you in particular, tend to overlook how much really goes on behind the scenes with these pro teams. For example below is an excerpt from a very insightful Shane Battier article..



Edit : Link

https://www.interbasket.net/news/nba-scouting-report-manu-ginobili-has-no-weaknesses/1062/

Thanks for the link. Can't remember if it was you that mentioned it before within the past week about Shane Battier saying Manu has no imbalance in his game.

Also, stnick2261, is $1M an actual number for assistant coaches? I would have thought they'd make around 500K and the head coach is the one that gets $1M+

[dn0774]

Thanks for the link. Can't remember if it was you that mentioned it before within the past week about Shane Battier saying Manu has no imbalance in his game.

Also, stnick2261, is $1M an actual number for assistant coaches? I would have thought they'd make around 500K and the head coach is the one that gets $1M+

2nd row asst coaches prolly a bit less than $1m, asst coaches on the bench are mostly $1m+. Head coaches way more for the most part, even the cheap ones these days.

[stnick2261]

Thanks for the link. Can't remember if it was you that mentioned it before within the past week about Shane Battier saying Manu has no imbalance in his game.

Also, stnick2261, is $1M an actual number for assistant coaches? I would have thought they'd make around 500K and the head coach is the one that gets $1M+

I wasn't sure, but I had read of a particular assistant coach making $1M... but I just googled it and it looks like the salary range is pretty wide, from $100k to $1M (for lead assistants). Steve Kerr and Pop both made $17M+ this past year as head coaches. Chris Paul on a veteran minimum contract would be $3M+ which is much more than even the highest paid assistant coaches would make (and even higher than some head coaches).

[Seventyniner]

I have a hard time believing that any team is going to want to have CP3 under contract for 3 years.

From what I read, a S&T contract has to be 3 or 4 years but only the first year has to be guaranteed. I don't know how the over-38 rule interacts with that.

[cd021]

I'd argue Castle played most of his minutes at the 3 last year as he spent most of his time on the court with both Paul and Vassell. I actually think there's more of a logjam on the wing between Castle, Vassell, Keldon, and Champagnie. Assuming we add Harper, I'd slot him in that mix too, at least for his rookie season. Having a rookie as the backup point guard makes no sense if this team is trying to compete next season. I guess they could have Castle be the backup PG and start Champ, but I'd much rather just have Paul there. I think there's more room for Paul than there is for Keldon and Champ.

I don't think playing Harper at the three makes sense when they could just have him share the floor with Fox or Castle as the backup for each. He wouldn't be the only playmaker on the floor in that situation. Even so, unless the Spurs plan on having Sochan play second-unit center again this season, there is still going to be a minute's crunch for Champ and KJ on the wing.

[BatManu20]

1938795426573877639

[bigfan]

I wasn't a huge fan when he signed here and thought he might even be a problem in the locker room but I was wrong. CP3 did a great job while he was here, was zero problems in the locker room and delivered way above what I expected. As long as he doesnt burn us in some game in the future I say thank you Chris and wish you well down the road.

[Splits]

Goodbye sweet prince

1947312717024370810

[tim_duncan_fan]

Thanks, CP3.

He should retire as a Clipper. That feels right.

[John B]

Thanks for your services CP3. I’m happy for him and his family but good-luck sharing ball handling minutes with Harden

[exstatic]

Thanks for your services CP3. I’m happy for him and his family but good-luck sharing ball handling minutes with Harden
Didn’t they already clash in Houston, with Harden making them trade CP? And then Harden forced his own way out a year or so later?

[poopbox]

Goodbye sweet prince

1947312717024370810


Going to play with Harden who already snaked him on Houston :lol

Must have offered more than other teams were :lol

Assuming their were other teams.

[Darkwaters]

I'm glad he spent last season here. I think it was beneficial to the team and especially to Steph Castle. Heck, it was probably beneficial to De'Aaron Fox for the short time they played together.

Go close out your career as a Clipper.

[John B]

Didn’t they already clash in Houston, with Harden making them trade CP? And then Harden forced his own way out a year or so later?

Yup. Between CP3 vs Harden, Kawhi’s DNP’s, Simmons reluctance to shoot, Beal’s chucking, it’s going to be a long headache year for Coach Lue :lol

[Mr. Body]

Gonna be hilarious when Paul gets cheered and Kawhi gets booed.

All Kawhi had to do was play nice, not turn his red ass toward the fans, and be a human being. Crazy that CP now has a place with the Spurs family and Leonard never will.

[Strategic]

Yup. Between CP3 vs Harden, Kawhi’s DNP’s, Simmons reluctance to shoot, Beal’s chucking, it’s going to be a long headache year for Coach Lue :lol. Wouldn’t be surprised if Paul told Harden to stfu and play. Actually would be cool to hear it.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Cool now I can go back to hating the little shit.

[CGD]

Yup. Between CP3 vs Harden, Kawhi’s DNP’s, Simmons reluctance to shoot, Beal’s chucking, it’s going to be a long headache year for Coach Lue :lol

Fortunately, I think Grand Larcenist Ben Simmons will end up elsewhere

[baseline bum]

Thanks for an awesome year CP3! Wishing you all the best in LA. Unless the Spurs and Clippers meet up in the playoffs. :lol

[baseline bum]

Fortunately, I think Grand Larcenist Ben Simmons will end up elsewhere

Simmons gonna be a Shanghai Shark man

[exstatic]

Fortunately, I think Grand Larcenist Ben Simmons will end up elsewhere

I think he might not get a contract.

[scott]

Dame back to POR

CP3 back to LAC

Only thing that's left to complete the homecoming trifecta... Bryn Forbes, please answer your phone

[spurraider21]

Dame back to POR

CP3 back to LAC

Only thing that's left to complete the homecoming trifecta... Bryn Forbes, please answer your phone
Lonnie tbh :lol

[TheDoctor]

Dame back to POR

CP3 back to LAC

Only thing that's left to complete the homecoming trifecta... Bryn Forbes, please answer your phone


Lonnie tbh :lol

LMAO :rollin

[Spurs Homer]

Welp, CP3 made me eat my words....

I never liked him and predicted his hammy would blow up...but CP3 was the consummate pro and was RELIABLE for his spurs season...

so - thank you and happy trails cp3!

[exstatic]

Before last season, he had only hit the 70 game mark twice since his age 29 season. He played all 82, and his minutes actually bumped up slightly from the previous season.

Fair winds and blue skies, old fart, as you sail off towards retirement.

[lefty]

I wasn't a huge fan when he signed here and thought he might even be a problem in the locker room but I was wrong. CP3 did a great job while he was here, was zero problems in the locker room and delivered way above what I expected. As long as he doesnt burn us in some game in the future I say thank you Chris and wish you well down the road.

CP3 was a locker room cancer?
Genuine question tbh

[lefty]

Welp, CP3 made me eat my words....

I never liked him and predicted his hammy would blow up...but CP3 was the consummate pro and was RELIABLE for his spurs season...

so - thank you and happy trails cp3!

I never understood the CP3 hate around here…


Sure. he flopped once in a while and was dirty but Manu flopped and Bruce was dirty.

CP3 is a pro and great mentor

[GAustex]

Good
Flopping POS
SOB would try to hurt you by flailing into your knees faking getting fouled

POS

[Spurs Homer]

I never understood the CP3 hate around here…


Sure. he flopped once in a while and was dirty but Manu flopped and Bruce was dirty.

CP3 is a pro and great mentor

Manu “perfected the art of getting the refs attention” but never ever flopped…

and

Bowen was never ever dirty and was a tough defensive ace

signed Spurs Homer

[Kindergarten Cop]

Dame back to POR

CP3 back to LAC

Only thing that's left to complete the homecoming trifecta... Bryn Forbes, please answer your phone


Lonnie tbh :lol


I know that I am in the extreme minority here, but I low-key wouldn't mind if I read that the Spurs signed another former Spur to be an end of the bench, high energy big - Trey Lyles.

[bigfan]

CP3 actually did a great job here and I wish him well in his new job.

[ginobilized]

So impressed with CP3 in his stint with us. Couldn't have asked for more from him and his mentorship was a game-changer.

Best of luck in LA, but, Clippers gonna Clip. That aged squad will likely be in hospice care by April.

[Mr. Body]

Wish we could have got another year out of him, but with Fox coming in there was no room, than Harper came on, too.

[jesterbobman]

He was great for us. Staying didn't make sense for either side, it seemed likely that it would be an LA team, Clippers make the most sense.

[lefty]

Manu “perfected the art of getting the refs attention” but never ever flopped…

and

Bowen was never ever dirty and was a tough defensive ace

signed Spurs Homer

Bruce was never dirty?
I’m sure Wally agrees

[Spurs Homer]

Bruce was never dirty?
I’m sure Wally agrees


you missed the "homer" part