Chris Paul signs with the Spurs in NBA free agency

Chris Paul won’t get the $30 million he could have gotten from the Warriors, but it didn’t take long for the point guard to find a new home as a free agent.

Paul was planning to sign with the Spurs, TNT and Bleacher Report reported Sunday, with ESPN adding that it was a one-year deal worth at least $11 million.

He averaged 6.8 assists and set a career-low 9.2 points per game last year with Golden State. The team was coming off a stretch that saw Paul traded from the Suns to the Wizards and then from Washington to the Warriors after Phoenix’s postseason run ended in disappointment in the Western Conference semifinals.

He had one year left on the contract he originally signed with Phoenix, but after the Warriors moved their deadline to guarantee the $30 million salary from Friday to Sunday, they decided not to guarantee it and instead let Paul become a free agent – one of two guards they will have to replace in 2024-25, as Klay Thompson is also moving on from Golden State.

At his final stop in the 39-year-old’s long NBA career, he will play alongside Victor Wembanyama, the 2.23-meter-tall star who the Spurs signed as number 1 in last year’s draft.

Follow all the latest NBA free agency updates, including signings, transfers and rumors.

San Antonio only finished 28-60 in the 2023-24 season, with Wembanyama leading the team with 21.4 points per game while Devin Vassell contributed 19.5 points per game.

“He is very eager and motivated to take this opportunity to get back into the starting lineup,” NBA insider Chris Haynes said during an NBA TV segment“He still believes he’s a starter. He still believes he can play at an elite level. And he’s excited about the opportunity to work with Wembanyama.

“…You’re going to get a really inspired and motivated Chris Paul at this stage of his career. He wants to show and prove to people that he’s still got it.”

Paul was originally drafted by New Orleans in 2005 and after spending the first six years of his career there, he has since played for the Clippers, Thunder, Rockets, Thunder, Suns and Warriors before moving to San Antonio.