Paul to sign for Spurs and play with Wembanyama: Reports

Golden State Warriors guard Chris Paul (3) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Monday, March 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Experienced point guard Chris Paul is set to sign with the San Antonio Spurs, according to several reports.

Paul, 39, spent one season with the Warriors, who acquired him in the Jordan Poole trade before last season. The transaction amounted to salary dumping for the Warriors, as Paul’s contract is now off the books.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Paul’s agreed-upon contract with the Spurs is worth at least $11 million for one year.

Paul became a free agent on Sunday when the Warriors released him. They agreed to push back the date of his contract guarantee by a few days while they looked for a possible trade, but none materialized.

In San Antonio, the 12-time All-Star will be playing alongside 20-year-old phenom Victor Wembanyama in his 20th NBA season. Before Wembanyama was named the league’s Rookie of the Year, Paul saw him play in a tryout against the G League Ignite.

“Seeing him handle all of this and seeing his work ethic … and hearing them talk about him here is pretty cool too,” Paul said after the Warriors beat the Spurs in San Antonio on March 11.

Paul started in place of Steph Curry in that win and had 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists – one of his best performances of the season. He’s still in form.

With the Warriors, Paul accepted a role on the bench for the first time in his career, but has a good chance of being a starter with the Spurs. San Antonio struggled at the point guard position last year and experimented with Jeremy Sochan as the lead guard.