Spurs player Chris Paul says the chance to play is more important than chasing the ring

SAN ANTONIO — At the end of his career, Chris Paul could have chosen to win an elusive NBA title, but instead he chose to play for a team that finished just 22-60 last season.

Why?

He still wants to compete.

“I love nothing more than the opportunity to play, contribute and play basketball,” Paul said at his introductory press conference on Tuesday after agreeing to a one-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs.

He could have played closer to home in the Los Angeles area, but instead he will leave his family and play for San Antonio.

“My family is everything. My wife is here, my kids are in LA and that’s where they’ll be spending the season,” Paul said. “And I love basketball so much that I could be close to home, but if I’m not playing, I’m not happy.”

“And I love my family more than anything. When we saw this opportunity, even though it means I’m away from my family, my family knows me better than anyone and they know that I just want to play. I want to play more than anything. And so I’m grateful to them and even more grateful to be here.”

Paul will also work with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich for the first time and says it is “an honor and a privilege” to play for Popovich at this stage of his career.

“Obviously, I’ve admired Pop from afar for years, and when you’ve been around for a while, like he has for a long time, you have so much respect,” Paul said. “Not just for his basketball IQ, but his personality, his competitive nature and all that.”

When discussing his 19-year career — which he spent entirely in the Western Conference, including last season with the Golden State Warriors — Paul said he doesn’t think there’s a team he’s played against more than the Spurs, and he’s right. Paul has played a total of 81 playoff and regular-season games against the Spurs, the most against an NBA team.

The point guard said the meeting with Popovich before signing with the Spurs was more of a conversation than a sales pitch with Popovich.

Now aged 39, Paul joins a team that was the youngest in the league last season and also boasts one of the game’s most exciting players in its ranks in reigning Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama.

Paul said he and Harrison Barnes, who came to the Spurs in a three-way trade from the Sacramento Kings, talked on their flight to San Antonio on Monday about how much they couldn’t wait to watch Wembanyama develop on a daily basis.

“I played against (Wembanyama) this season and I’ll tell you, there’s probably no player in the league that everyone talks about after the game like him,” Paul said. “Everyone has to adapt to things.”

Barnes, 32, signed a three-year, $54 million contract extension with the Kings last summer, but with two years left on his contract, he was considered expendable as the team sought to sign DeMar DeRozan.

As part of his contract, Barnes had a 10% trade bonus that he waived to facilitate the deal with the Kings, Spurs and Chicago Bulls. On Tuesday, he explained why he turned down the extra money, calling it “a pretty easy decision.”

“It’s funny, with the new CBA, the trade kicker has become a bigger game than I expected, but I think the opportunity to just come here and be able to play for Pop and with this group is exciting,” the small forward said.

Barnes will be reunited with Popovich, who coached him with the U.S. team at the 2019 FIBA ​​World Cup. Barnes said he remembers great team meals under Popovich, but also his ability to get along with everyone on the roster.

“He talks to each player differently and knows how to connect with them,” Barnes said. “I think that’s why he and I got along so well. He’s an honest person. I like that.”

Barnes and Paul said they are aware of their role as elder statesmen of the Spurs. Point guard Devonte’ Graham, who turned 29 in February, finished last season as the team’s oldest player.

The two new additions will try to further advance the young team in the future.

But Paul is also “excited” about what he can learn.

“That was probably the coolest thing about my career. Yes, I went on some teams that were younger or something, but I’m constantly learning from those guys,” Paul said.

“I had a chance to play with (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) in his second year in the league, and I had a chance to learn from him. I had a chance to learn from (Devin Booker), Mikal Bridges and all those guys. So I’m excited to share with those guys what I know and whatever they want to know, but I’m also excited to see what I can learn from them.”