As the NBA season came to an end, the San Antonio Spurs were at a crossroads. In Victor Wembanyama, they had the kind of transcendent superstar that teams hope for and dream about.
But the question for Gregg Popovich and his staff was simple: Do they expedite the path to contention or endure the growing pains every step along the way?
With ideas of a Trae Young trade floating around, San Antonio could have made the jump to a playoff team quickly. With a Trae-Wemby pair, the floor would immediately be raised beyond the bottom-feeders they’ve been for the past few seasons. But, on the other hand, true contention might elude them, given the definite ceiling on that duo.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Victor Wembanyama, Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs Updates
Through the first few weeks of the NBA offseason, the Spurs have made their direction crystal clear. Rather than going too fast, too soon, they’re taking the patient approach with Victor. And, with their latest move to sign Chris Paul, the dividends might resonate for years to come.
Mimicking the 2019 Oklahoma City Thunder
Possessing the 4th and the 8th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, San Antonio could have made a big swing. However, playing it safe, the team drafted Stephon Castle out of UConn with the 4th pick and opted to trade for a 2025 first-rounder with their other top-10 pick.
While the move might seem controversial, the 2025 draft is already being discussed as an all-timer. So, the deal might eventually be a blessing in disguise for the folks in the Frost Bank Center.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Victor Wembanyama, Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs Updates
But, on the first day of free agency, the team went after a different point guard. After much of the Trae Young speculation, the team instead opted to sign a veritable basketball genius. The Point God: Chris Paul.
Fans are already tantalizing over the prospect of Wembanyama’s development under CP3, and the decision could be multifold given San Antonio’s recent draft pick. The addition of Paul might also work with Castle and help him thrive and adjust in the NBA world.
If the situation sounds similar, the Oklahoma City Thunder did the same thing in 2019 with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the beneficiary of the 12-time All-Star’s guidance. The former Golden State Warrior could be the perfect mentor, with four-year veteran Tre Jones and the newly drafted Stephon playing the mentee role.
How the Chris Paul move sets up the San Antonio Spurs for the future
Beyond grooming young stars into future superstars and continuing their growth, the patient approach might benefit the Spurs. Over the coming years, superstars and perennial MVP candidates like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid, among others, will reach the end of their contracts.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Victor Wembanyama, Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs Updates
Going after that caliber of names, with the continued growth of their young core, could immediately catapult San Antonio into championship contention. Going through the growing pains with a steady hand like CP3 to guide the youth might be ideal come the big leagues.
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