Spurs' Gregg Popovich Admits He’s 'Mesmerized' By Victor Wembanyama’s New Helper

The numbers Chris Paul put up in his exhibition debut with the San Antonio Spurs weren't especially notable.

Pretty much any point guard in the NBA could manage five points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals in 23 minutes of preseason action.

But the impact Paul stood to make on Victor Wembanyama and the young Spurs this season upon joining the team in free agency was always going to transcend the box score. Just ask Gregg Popovich.

After San Antonio's 107-97 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, the Hall-of-Fame coach admitted he's been "mesmerized" by not just Paul's expert knowledge of the game, but his ability to translate it to teammates.

"He's so wise and has a lot of experience," Popovich said of Paul, per Paul Garcia of The SpotUp Shot. "Sometimes I get mesmerized just listening to him say things to players, and I should have thought of that, that kind of thing. But he mentors them well, and he does it the right way. He makes them feel good about themselves. He's great."

The second-oldest player in the NBA behind close friend LeBron James, Paul signed a one-year, $10.5 million deal with the Spurs in July after being waived by the Golden State Warriors. He averaged 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game with the Dubs last season, mostly serving as Stephen Curry's backup.

At 38, Paul's days of vying for All-NBA honors and leading the league in assists and steals are long gone. No matter how big an influence he makes on Wembanyama and company in 2024-25, San Antonio definitely won't be competing for the title or maybe even a playoff spot, either.

It's only a matter of time until Wembanyama takes the Spurs to heights of perennial contention, though. Once it comes, rest assured that Paul—likely retired by then—will have played a small if meaningful part in San Antonio's inevitable rise.

Related: Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Catches First Alley-Oop From Chris Paul