The San Antonio Spurs are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, but at this point, they are also one of the oldest teams in the league. Future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan announced his retirement last week, which means the team will be looking for another face of the franchise as they try to transition into a much younger team. Despite their average age, the Spurs are still considered one of the top contenders in the NBA, and have one of the best online NBA sports betting odds of winning the championship. But with the Golden State Warriors signing Kevin Durant, the Spurs’ chances of winning a ring this year are significantly reduced.
Now that Tim Duncan is retired, Spurs fans expect Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker to ride off into the sunset in the near future, leaving the team with some major holes to fill. The positive thing about Parker and Ginobili retiring is that it will give the Spurs some cap space to sign free agents.
One of the potential free agents that the Spurs will likely go after in 2017 is Los Angeles Clippers star Chris Paul.
Paul is still one of the best point guards in the NBA, but he has never won a championship, which is something that will be high on his list when he hits free agency. With the Clippers, Paul is a regular fixture in the playoffs, but despite the talent on the team, the Clippers still haven’t reached the Western Conference Finals.
If Los Angeles doesn’t make it to at least the Conference Finals this season, Paul has to start contemplating if a move away from Los Angeles might be best for his career and legacy.
Paul would be a great fit for the Spurs because they still have good young talent like Kahwi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge. Since Paul is a pass first point guard, there won’t be many complaints about players not getting enough shots.
There are some that believe the Chicago Bulls will also try to make a run for Paul, especially since Dwyane Wade is now in Chicago. Wade has been a pretty good recruiter during his career, and since he and Paul are great friends, he could try to lure him to Chicago like he lured LeBron James and Chris Bosh to Miami.
Despite his relationship with Wade, Paul will likely choose the Spurs over the Bulls because he will get the opportunity to play for one of the best coaches in NBA history.
During the lockout season, Paul would have had a chance to play for Phil Jackson, but David Stern nixed the deal, and Paul ended up going to the Clippers.
While Doc Rivers is a well-respected coach, he isn’t held in the same regard as coached like Greg Popovich, who led to franchise to all five NBA titles they have.
The fact that the Spurs also have a lot of talented players will also be instrumental in signing Paul, who will only want to sign with a team he believes has a chance to win the championship.
If the Spurs want to continue being one of the best franchises in the NBA, the team will have to convince Paul San Antonio is the best place for him to go when he becomes a free agent.
