Welcome to Pounding the Rock’s 2024-25 player reviews! The series will look at the players who finished the season with the San Antonio Spurs on guaranteed contracts and who played consequential minutes and/or a vital role (so no two-way players because we hardly saw them this year, and no players who were traded away).
Chris Paul
2024-25 stats: 28 MPG, 8.8 points, 7.4 assists, 42.7 FG%, 37.7 3FG%
Contract Status: Unrestricted free agent
Age: 40
Chris Paul was the Spurs’ headline acquisition last offseason. The basketball world was ready to see how the future Hall-of-Famer could elevate the young Spurs, and what a real point guard could do for Victor Wembanyama. CP3 may not be the player he used to be, but he provided a steady hand, leadership, competitiveness, and a consistent presence in the lineup.
When Paul joined the Spurs, he said it was for the opportunity to hoop, not to be a coach on the floor and a presence in the locker room. And hoop he did, as Paul started all 82 games for the Spurs in his 20th NBA season. The general assumption before the season is that Paul would get plenty of rest, like many of his veteran counterparts – but the drive that makes him one of the greats led him to his first season, where he never missed a game.
Paul’s production has dropped significantly since his prime. He’s no longer an isolation threat off the dribble, doesn’t look to get to the basket anymore, and can’t be relied upon to be the lead guard on a contending team, but he still has a bit left in the tank. In true point guard fashion, he helped the Spurs get under control in the clutch, had the highest assist rate (34.8%), and created turnovers, leading San Antonio with 103 steals on the season.
Paul’s biggest contributions may not bear fruit for a few seasons. There was noticeably more drive and grit from the Spurs this season. Paul led by example by being in the lineup every day and competing night in and night out. The young roster seemed to respond and rally around that. When CP3 and Harrison Barnes took down Golden State late in the season, it meant something to the Spurs, even if they are already eliminated. Paul treated a meaningless game 82 against the Toronto Raptors like it was the last game he would ever play. The characteristics of a great player surely rubbed off on San Antonio’s young core, and should pay dividends when they are ready to contend for the playoffs.
Looking ahead
Paul indicated he is not planning to retire this offseason. Paul is an unrestricted free agent in a relatively weak group of players, meaning he could get another 1-year deal similar to the one he signed with the Spurs last season. Whether or not he resigns with San Antonio likely depends on what his priorities are next year.
If Paul wants to start and play as much as possible, San Antonio may not be the right fit. The Spurs are ready to move forward with De’Aaron Fox as their starting point guard of the future and build a team ready to push for a playoff spot. The Paul-Fox backcourt is undersized, struggles defensively, and is not a seamless offensive fit. San Antonio could use that spot in the starting lineup for another two-way floor spacer, or to give Stephon Castle a full-time starting role.
If Paul were to return next season, it would likely be in a backup role. Is he willing to sacrifice playing time at 40 years old to stick with San Antonio in hopes of another playoff appearance? If he is ring chasing without care for his role, there are probably better places to do that. Finding a team that needs a full-time starting point guard may be tough, and Paul may not provide the same production as other younger players would.
Every franchise could use Paul’s experience. It’ll be on him to decide what capacity he wants to continue his career in. Whether that is in San Antonio or elsewhere. The future Hall-of-Famer has earned the right to make that choice.
Top performance
November 2nd win vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves, 15 points and 13 assists.
Final grade: B+
Up next: Stephon Castle
Previous Reviews:
Bismack Biyombo, Charles Bassey, Malaki Branham