It’s not going to turn San Antonio into a title contender, but it’s more than enough to look upwards. Chris Paul arrives at the Spurs, a return to Texas five years after the Houston Rockets. Barely the time to learn that the Golden State Warriors were not keeping the “Point God” and his big salary than Bleacher Report reported an agreement with Victor Wembanyama’s franchise.
The announcement of his transfer came late Sunday afternoon in the United States, at a time when his new teammate, who is preparing for the Olympics in France with the Blues, must have had his eyes closed and his phone turned off. In any case, his Spurs succeeded in one of the great successes of the beginnings of “free agency”. With “CP3”, they have both a high-level leader and a veteran capable of guiding the young spurs. Or two obvious gaps from last season.
Will Paul repeat what he accomplished with the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team of kids led to the playoffs in 2020, or with Phoenix, the NBA finalist in 2022? Maybe not. The player is 39 years old, but the one who serves as a spokesperson for an insurance company remains a safe bet.
He has all the experience and game intelligence needed to serve as a relay for Gregg Popovich, while the team has spent a season without a true leader. “Coach Pop” had tried an experiment, inconclusive and quickly abandoned, with Jeremy Sochan. Now, the Spurs have two “floor generals”, generals of the court. Paul, who has fought – and lost – many battles, as well as the promising Stephon Castle, drafted in fourth position Wednesday. NCAA champion with UConn, the 19-year-old player will suddenly feel less pressure now that the roster includes a veteran described as one of the best in history at his position.
“Wemby is the guy we all talked about in the locker room after a match. We were talking about it because we all literally had to change the way we shot a little bit because of him”
Chris Paul, on the Pat McAfee Show
At eleven million dollars per season, the Spurs recruited a mentor at a low price, considering current NBA rates. Barring a huge surprise in June 2025 – Wembanyama’s potential makes one believe in miracles – the former Clippers star abandons the idea of finally winning this ring which has eluded him since his draft in 2005 (only one final, lost, in 2021 , against Milwaukee with the Suns). Instead, the 1m83 passer will follow in the footsteps of a giant.
“Chris Paul had a great conversation with Gregg Popovich and was sold on the franchise culture and the opportunity to elevate Victor Wembanyama’s game,” says journalist Chris Haynes on Twitter. “CP” really wants to show that he is still an elite fullback in this League.”
A few weeks ago, number 3 sang, like so many others, the praises of the French phenomenon on the Pat McAfee Show. “Wemby is the guy we all talked about in the locker room after a match. We were talking about it because we all literally had to change the way we shot a little because of him, said the leader. He will be successful because he is competitive and friendly. »
For the French interior, this is another great adventure. His journey will be, for at least a year, alongside a figure of his sport and he should gorge himself on alley-oops along the way.
