Chris Paul’s new contract with Spurs shows that winning is a big incentive

SAN ANTONIO – Despite winning 22 games last season, the San Antonio Spurs continued to turn heads as first overall pick Victor Wembanyama shone every night in his debut season.

In San Antonio’s first offseason as a key player for Wembanyama’s future, the front office selected players based on needs and remained active on the free agency market.

Veteran point guard Chris Paul, the Spurs’ biggest offseason addition, has reportedly signed a one-year, $10.46 million contract. The deal includes eight different bonuses totaling $1,568,999.

One of Paul’s bonuses is worth $262,000 and is contingent on San Antonio (or the team he finishes the season with) winning 32 or more games. A 32-win Spurs regular season in the 2024-25 season would be a 10-win improvement over the 2023-24 season.

The 39-year-old Paul is considered one of the best point guards in NBA history. After his retirement, induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is considered a foregone conclusion.

However, one achievement has eluded Paul: winning an NBA championship.

Instead of chasing rings, the 19-year-old NBA veteran joins a young Spurs team that is still early in its process of reaching the summit.

For Paul, the decision to leave his family and move to San Antonio was based on the opportunity to play a significant role under the leadership of the NBA’s most successful head coach, Gregg Popovich.

Of course, the opportunity to work with Wembanyama, who is one of the favorites for the 2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year title, is also an interesting incentive.

“I had a conversation (with Popovich) and I think what I appreciated most was Pop said, ‘I want you to come and be yourself,'” Paul said during an introductory press conference earlier this week. “He sounded excited, and that got me excited.”

Paul also explained what sacrifices he is willing to make to continue playing basketball professionally.

“My family is everything. My wife is here. My kids are back in LA and that’s where they’re going to spend the season,” Paul said. “When we saw this opportunity, even though it separated me from my family, my family knew me better than anyone – and they know I just want to play. I want to play more than anything. And so I’m thankful for them and even more thankful to be here.”