Chris Paul signs with Spurs as free agent in NBA

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 in free agency.

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

Paul averaged 6.8 assists and 9.2 points per game last year with Golden State, who acquired him after a period in which Paul was traded from the Suns to the Wizards and then from Washington to the Warriors after a disappointing end to Phoenix’s post-season career. Season in the Western Conference semifinals.

He had one year remaining on the contract he originally signed with Phoenix, but after the $30 million salary guarantee deadline was pushed from Friday to Sunday, the Warriors opted not to guarantee him and let Paul become a free agent — one. They will need to replace two guards in 2024-25, with Klay Thompson also moving from Golden State.

So the final stop in the 39-year-old’s long NBA career will reunite him with Victor Wimpanyama, the 7-foot-4 star who the Spurs took with the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft.

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

San Antonio has just 28 wins and 60 losses in the 2023-24 season, with Wembanyama leading them in scoring at 21.4 points per game while Devin Vassell has added 19.5 points per game.

“He is very excited and excited to have this opportunity to return to his starting role,” Chris Haynes, an NBA insider. He said during a television segment of the NBA championship“He still believes he is a starter. He still believes he can play at the elite level. He is excited about the opportunity to play for Weambayama.

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

Paul was originally selected 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 now joining San Antonio.