This offseason is set up to be an interesting one for the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs are one of the teams to watch ahead of free agency. They have the assets needed to trade for a star, as well as having just drafted Dylan Harper, the number two overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
However, this could potentially mean that point guard Chris Paul, a future Hall of Famer and last season's starter, may be the odd man out. After all, their predicted starting lineup next season is expected to include De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle.
Additionally, with the Spurs having just selected Harper, the backcourt will be crowded. That would give them three guards, excluding Paul, who would need significant minutes.
Harper may not even start games to begin next season, with Devin Vassell likely starting at small forward alongside Fox and Castle.
Spurs fans ready to say goodbye to Chris Paul in free agency
With the Spurs having Fox and Castle playing at least 30 minutes per game and Harper likely averaging around 25 minutes, barring a big trade, there simply aren't minutes for Paul.
Despite Paul being a 20-year veteran who has never won a championship, he doesn't appear likely to ring chase during free agency. Instead, he could sign with the Dallas Mavericks, who will be in need of a stopgap starting point guard.
Or, as NBA insider Marc Stein also reports, Paul wants to play closer to home, which is Los Angeles. That seemingly puts the Lakers and Clippers in play, as well as the Phoenix Suns, which are just a 3-hour plane ride from Los Angeles.
Chris Paul may be the odd man out with the San Antonio Spurs
The Suns will have more playing time to offer. He played there for three seasons, leading them to the NBA Finals in 2021 and the best record in the NBA in 2022.
They won't be anywhere near as good, but the Lakers could be if he agrees to take the $5.6 million taxpayer mid-level exception. Either way, the writing is on the wall that he won't be playing on the Spurs next season.
All in all, the Spurs' newfound depth at guard likely makes Paul the odd man out in San Antonio. Instead, Paul may be headed to the Mavericks, the Suns, or the Lakers, perhaps to close out his legendary career.