Victor Wembanyama He already has his dance partner in the pick and roll, the first-class point guard that the San Antonio Spurs had been thinking about for some time as the unicorn: Chris Paul.
In a frenetic parade of knowledge, the Golden State Warriors They said goodbye to the illustrious exterior of 39 years -his 30 million to be collected in the 24/25 season were not guaranteed-, and the Texas team signed CP3 for one year and 11 million, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski.
A masterful and surprising play by the Spurs. The team Gregg Popovichin full reconstruction to surround Wemby well, had just recruited Juan Nunez in the draft, but he is also apparently convinced that he has a veteran mentor in the locker room who will teach the youngsters on and off the court.
Juan Núñez, selected by the Spurs
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In recent months the name of Trae Young -information that MD was also able to find out first hand-, the Hawks star is young at 25 years old but already has some experience in the league. However, CP3 seems to fit better with Wemby on the court, much cheaper, mature and with his more altruistic style of play.
With the addition of Paul, San Antonio definitively defines the type of base it wants for its generational star after selecting Núñez, while confirming that the Texas franchise knew very well what it was doing when it selected the Spanish international in the draft on Thursday. Apart from these news, the Spurs also have the options of Tre Jones at point guard, also recently drafted Stephon Castle or Jeremy Sochan, although the power forward did not quite work out in the position last year in the experiment that Gregg Popovich did.
Saving the distances between them, Paul and Núñez are the same kind of base, two vintage playmakers of the kind that are scarce in the NBA – and even more so after the farewell of Ricky Rubio-those who prioritize passing and making others better over racking up points. A perfect fit for Pops’ hallowed passing philosophy as well.
In his last season with the Warriors, the future Hall of Famer He averaged 9 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists in 26 minutes with 44% shooting from the field and 37% shooting from three-point range, accepting a role off the bench. San Francisco was happy with him, but they couldn’t afford to give up. 30 million to a 39-year-old player with the delicate financial situation they have in the Bay.
Although still in enviable physical shape and his reading of the game intact, Paul is running out of time to put on his first ring and in some way put that goal aside by signing for a team that is becoming like San Antonio. But he is up for an exciting challenge like playing with Victor Wembanyama and making the team better. Rookie of the Year.
What will happen to Juan Núñez?
It is undeniable that the arrival of Chris Paul has to have some impact on Juan Nunez’s role whether he is the starting CP3 or not. It is still unknown if the Spurs want to add the Madrid point guard next year or leave him for one more season in Europe, where he has a contract signed with the BarçaSan Antonio General Manager Brian Wright himself said that this is a matter that still needs to be decided.
According to the information that MD has been able to gather in recent days from sources from several NBA franchises that have had direct involvement in the last draft, the majority feeling is that Núñez is going to continue one more season in Europa.
Wembanyama and Núñez at the 2019 U-16 Eurobasket
However, sources close to the player prefer not to comment at the moment and the fact that the San Antonio squad is almost ready increases the uncertainty.
If Núñez goes to San Antonio next year he will be able to soak up the teaching of CP3, who will form a curious pair of contrasts with Victor Wembanyama, 20 years the Frenchman and 39 the American, 2.24 the center and 1.83 the point guard. Interesting blow from the Spurs.
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2024-07-01 05:22:18
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