Chris Paul Predicted To Leave Spurs For Mavericks

Chris Paul becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason and the future Hall of Famer has been predicted to leave the San Antonio Spurs for the Dallas Mavericks. 

Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report thinks Paul will sign with the Mavericks, who need to acquire a point guard this offseason since Kyrie Irving will miss a chunk of next season recovering from left ACL tear. 

“Paul is already 40 years old, but he was a productive leader on the Spurs—a team fighting for playoff position before Victor Wembanyama was lost for the season (deep vein thrombosis),” Pincus wrote. 

“San Antonio may want Paul back because of who he is and what he’s capable of doing, but with De’Aaron Fox, rookie of the year Stephon Castle and guard Dylan Harper (the  Spurs’ presumed No. 2 overall pick), the veteran may choose a team giving him a greater opportunity to play. While he has strong ties to Los Angeles (Lakers and Clippers), where his family has lived (don’t count them out), he may go to a team with an injured starting point guard. 

“Prediction: The Dallas Mavericks, who need a replacement guard until Kyrie Irving is healthy, use the TMLE on Paul.”

Paul appeared in all 82 games for the Spurs this season. He averaged 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists while shooting 42.7% from the field, 37.7% from beyond the arc and 92.4% from the free-throw line. 

A 12-time All-Star, Paul has played for the New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and Spurs. He’s one of the best point guards in NBA history. 

A top 75 player of all time, Paul has career averages of 17.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 9.2 assists. 

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, CP3 is not expected to be back with the Spurs, who have the second overall pick in this year’s draft.