2 reasons why the Spurs’ Chris Paul deal is a huge bargain

Normally a franchise that stays quiet during NBA free agency, the San Antonio Spurs made one of the league’s first – perhaps biggest – buzz moments at the start of the season. By reportedly agreeing to a deal with Chris Paul, the Spurs are not only getting one of the best point guards of all time, but they’re doing it at a price and with a term that’s a perfect fit for the Silver and Black.

The future Hall of Famer’s salary has averaged $30 million per season over the past four years. His contract with the Spurs is $1 million for one year, a real bargain in today’s NBA.

Chris Paul’s salary in the Spurs squad

The highest-paid San Antonio Spur is Devin Vassell, who will make $29.3 million next season. Keldon Johnson follows with $19 million. Zach Collins ranks third in that category with $16.7 million.

Based on the league’s rookie pay scale, Victor Wembanyama will make $12.7 million in his second year. The next name on the list is a surprise. Thanks to a four-year, $47 million contract signed as part of a sign-and-trade between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans, Devonte’ Graham is on the books for $12.6 million, although the contract is not fully guaranteed.

As of now, it can be assumed that five Spurs will earn more money than Paul next season.

Even at 39, it is no exaggeration to call Paul Spurs’ third most effective player. After Wemby and second-leading goalscorer Vassell, there was a significant gap in terms of impact between the team’s two best players and the rest of the squad.

Paul’s talents will make Wembanyama better, make the game easier for Vassell and the other members of the returning core, and give first-round pick Stephon Castle a daily example of how a point guard should be played in the NBA – all for the team’s sixth-highest salary.

Paul for a year

The Spurs are carefully plotting a future course that allows them to build on the talents of their generation, which means they need to remain flexible when it comes to Wemby. By agreeing to a one-year deal with the 19-year-old veteran, general manager Brian Wright, Gregg Popovich and Co. are keeping their options open.

Castle could be their point guard of the future. But at 6-foot-6 and with a versatile skill set, he might be a better fit for the Silver and Blacks elsewhere. Or, in a modern NBA where position designations aren’t as important anymore, they could pair Castle with another “point guard” in the lineup later after watching the former UConn star in his rookie season.

All signs point to next summer being a big opportunity for the Spurs. They will still have salary cap space thanks to the way current contracts are structured, not to mention they have several first-round draft picks for next June. Should those picks be traded, and should San Antonio use them all, they would have several more contracts, all at fixed prices per the collective bargaining agreement.

Paul might not be there by then. He probably would have had an influence that will no longer be there.