San Antonio Spurs

Chris Paul didn't wait long to agree on terms with a new team after the Golden State Warriors waived him, as he intends to sign with the San Antonio Spurs, per Chris Haynes of TNT Sports.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the deal is for one year and $11 million.

Paul, who is entering his 20th NBA season, will now team up with reigning Rookie of the Year and superstar big man Victor Wembanyama.

The reported Spurs signing is no surprise. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Spurs were "believed to have" interest in Paul, alongside the Los Angeles Clippers.

It frankly makes a lot of sense. The Spurs were throwing out a young and converted forward in Jeremy Sochan as the point guard last year. Sochan is an exciting talent, but that probably isn't his best and most natural position. The Spurs were better off finding a true point guard and some more veteran help to accelerate Wembanyama's development.

In comes Paul, a 12-time NBA All-Star and four-time All-NBA first-teamer. At 39 years old, Paul's best days are behind him, but he's still a productive performer when called upon.

Last year, Paul averaged 9.2 points, 6.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 26.4 minutes per game (58 contests) for the Warriors.

It's unclear whether he'd start or come off the bench in San Antonio, but he is part of a big remaking of the backcourt, which added UConn shooting guard Stephon Castle with the fourth overall pick in this year's draft.

But it is clear that Paul has bought into how he can fit in and contribute to the Spurs, per Haynes.

Chris Paul had a great talk with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and was sold on the culture and opportunity to help elevate the game of Victor Wembanyama. CP is eager and motivated to showcase he’s still an elite guard in this league. https://t.co/SUgdpWviVQ

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2024

San Antonio went 22-60 last year but ended with some promise, going 11-12 to finish the year. Now the team has added Castle and Paul in hopes of brighter days and providing more support for Wembanyama. On paper, San Antonio looks like the top candidate for having the league's most improved season.

It sounds like Stephon Castle is looking forward to joining the San Antonio Spurs.

The 2024 No. 4 pick spoke highly about future teammate Victor Wembanyama and the opportunity to play alongside him during his first press conference with the franchise.

"Just the thought of playing with him, of course it circulates in your mind, but it really doesn't feel real until it becomes reality," Castle told reporters. "So I mean, just to know that that's going to be my future teammate now, I'm just really excited for what our future looks like."

He noted that he looks forward to the chemistry he could develop with the 2023-24 Rookie of the Year, bringing up his connection with former UConn teammate Donovan Clingan in the process.

"It was fun throwing lobs to DC," Castle said, "so I can only imagine what [throwing them to Wembanyama] will be like."

The praise was not just limited to Wembanyama. Castle also spoke highly about Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and said he looked forward to how much he can grow under the legendary coach, describing the situation as a "perfect fit."

"Just the thought of playing for Coach Pop, it really doesn't feel real," Castle said. "Just coming from probably the best college basketball coach to now going to Coach Pop, a legendary coach like that, I feel like it's the perfect situation."

Castle's one season at UConn was as successful as it can get. The Huskies went 37-3 and won the National Championship. Castle averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 34 games for the Huskies and was named to the All-NCAA Tournament Team, Big East All-Freshman and also took home the Big East Rookie of the Year Award.

He joins a Spurs franchise that has a rich history, with five NBA Championships to show. However, this iteration of the Spurs has been a bit lackluster. San Antonio has missed five consecutive postseason, which is the longest drought in NBA history. It just completed a second consecutive 22-60 season, and the road ahead looks bumpy.

However, Popovich's experience, Wembanyama's talent and Castle's addition should help San Antonio take a step forward in 2024-25 and beyond.

Victor Wembanyama is excited about the level of competition that he'll face during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, specifically Team USA's star-studded roster.

"I can't wait to face them -- it will be a very interesting matchup," the San Antonio Spurs forward said, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "As a basketball player, it's also a dream to play against Team USA and even against all those players, all those legends."

Wembanyama and the French national team could potentially face off against a United States roster that features superstars such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant.

The 20-year-old averaged 21.4 points and 10.6 rebounds each night in his rookie season, while his 3.6 blocks per game represented the highest mark in the association. Wembanyama shot 46.5 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from behind the arc, although he connected on 37.5 percent of his pull-up threes (via NBA.com).

His ability to handle the ball and fire away from deep at his 7'4" height captivated fans all season long, as he eventually earned the 2024 Rookie of the Year award unanimously.

Wembanyama isn't the only NBA talent on France's roster, as the team also features players such as Detroit Pistons guard Evan Fournier, Philadelphia 76ers forward Nicolas Batum, and Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly. Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert will be returning to the Olympic stage and should form an imposing frontcourt alongside the Spurs big man.

France has experienced past success on the court, earning a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. However, the team was defeated by the U.S. during the gold-medal game.

Although Wembanyama will have his hands full with a Team USA roster that features Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis, he's excited for the opportunity to compete.

"I believe it's the biggest competition for an athlete," he said, per ESPN. "But I'm going to approach it like everything else in my life: a sporting pleasure."

Wembanyama's path to the Olympics will start with six friendly games, with the first occurring against Turkey on July 3.

The San Antonio Spurs gave Victor Wembanyama a new running mate in the 2024 NBA draft, selecting UConn guard Stephon Castle with the No. 4 overall pick.

Spurs select Stephon Castle with the No. 4 pick 🔥

SAN ANTONIO ADDS ANOTHER PIECE WITH WEMBY 👏

(via @ShamsCharania) pic.twitter.com/rmffkYGQNl

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 27, 2024

Castle is coming off an incredible freshman campaign with the Huskies, securing a spot in the starting lineup and helping the team earn a second consecutive national title.

After the Spurs dealt with inconsistency in the backcourt throughout the 2023-24 season, fans were looking forward to seeing the 19-year-old grow alongside Wembanyama.

Stephon Castle and Wemby next season 😭 pic.twitter.com/grgWzTVlfd

— Lane 😶‍🌫️ (@CookedByLane) June 27, 2024

Spurs taking Stephon Castle!

Wemby’s new teammate 👽 pic.twitter.com/jzyIAxTfAR

— WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) June 27, 2024

Stephon Castle is headed to San Antonio. One of my early picks for pick of the draft. This kid could’ve went number one. Elite defensive player, will get more offensive opportunity in San Antonio as well.

Wemby & Castle. pic.twitter.com/30herPL5VJ

— Jake (@jakeweingarten) June 27, 2024

Castle + Wembanyama on defense...gonna be tough as hell to score on the Spurs. And I love the potential of them together on offense too. Castle is willing to do it all, he can play typical PG but also run inverted stuff as a screener for Wemby. Pop can get creative. https://t.co/bQRiLNqC43

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 27, 2024

https://twitter.com/ncreasy02/status/1806123608361611460

Castle averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game in his lone season at UConn. While he struggled from behind the arc with a 26.7 three-point percentage, he still shot 47.2 percent from the field and knocked down 75.5 percent of his free throws.

He's also a capable defender, able to guard multiple positions with his 6'6" frame. Castle should help improve a Spurs team that ranked No. 21 in defensive rating last season (via NBA.com).

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman mentioned the guard's ability to run the pick-and-roll in his scouting report of Castle.

"Castle's ability to handle and facilitate at 6'6" and 215 pounds separates him as one of the most efficient pick-and-roll operators in this year's draft class," Wasserman wrote. "He excelled in ball screens without a reliable pull-up, mostly due to his live-dribble passing and ability to use pacing and physicality while taking it to the rim."

Although he may not take over lead ball-handling duties for San Antonio in his rookie year, he should still fit seamlessly in head coach Gregg Popovich's system. Despite the Spurs' paltry 22-60 record, they still averaged the second-most assists per game among all NBA teams throughout the 2023-24 season.

As San Antonio looks to build around Wembanyama after his 2024 Rookie of the Year win, Castle projects as an ideal partner for the former No. 1 overall pick on both ends of the court.

The San Antonio Spurs selected UConn guard Stephon Castle with the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NBA draft.

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Jonathan Wasserman Scouting Report

Position: SG

Size: 6'6", 215 lbs

Age/Year: 19, Freshman

Nationality: American

Pro Comparison: Anthony Black

Scouting Report: Stephon Castle's 6'6" size, ball-handling and playmaking, physical driving and defense have scouts willing to stay patient with his shooting. Serious upside kicks in he's able to extend his range, but there is still value for teams in adding a two-way playmaker, regardless of how his shot develops.

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Spurs Active Roster and 2024-25 Salary (Expiration Year)

Stephon Castle, SG: Rookie-scale contract

Devin Vassell, SG: $29.3M (2029)

Keldon Johnson, SG: $19M (2027)

Zach Collins, C: $16.7M (2026)

Victor Wembanyama, C: $12.8M (2027)

Devonte' Graham, PG: $12.7M (2025)

Tre Jones, PG: $9.1M (2025)

Jeremy Sochan, PF: $5.6M (2026)

Malaki Branham, SG: $3.2M (2026)

Julian Champagnie, SF: $3M (2027)

Blake Wesley, SG: $2.6M (2026)

Charles Bassey, C: $2.5M (2026)

Sidy Cissoko, SG: $1.9M (2026)

Jamaree Bouyea, PG: Two-way (2025)

RaiQuan Gray, PF: Two-way (2025)

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Free Agents

Cedi Osman, SF: UFA

Sandro Mamukelashvili, C: RFA

Dominick Barlow, PF: RFA

David Duke Jr., SG: RFA

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Castle averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game during his lone season at UConn. He was named Big East Freshman of the Year and scored 15 points in the Huskies' national title win over Purdue.

While Castle played a secondary ball-handler role at UConn, he said he did so in sacrifice to the larger goal.

"I feel like my true position is a point guard," Castle said at the NBA scouting combine. "I feel like the past couple of months, I had to sacrifice for the better of our team. It worked out for us, so it's not anything to harp on or be bitter about."

Castle improved his stock at the combine, flashing an improved jumper that ranked him among the best shooters who participated in drills. He shot just 26.7 percent from three-point range as a freshman, so there's still clearly work to be done, but it's promising for his development that he seemingly already feels comfortable behind the NBA three-point line.

This is not considered a particularly strong draft, but Castle has one of the highest upsides among lottery picks. The NBA will always need big guards who can defend multiple positions. If Castle develops into a lead ball handler who can consistently stretch beyond the arc, he'll be a 10-year NBA starter—even if he doesn't become a perennial All-Star.

In this class, that's a pretty sizable win at No. 4 overall.

With a pair of picks in the top 10 of Wednesday's NBA draft, the San Antonio Spurs are capable of making a move to the top of the draft board, but it sounds like that's not in their plans.

While speaking to ESPN's Jonathan Givony on The Lowe Post podcast (27:00 mark), Zach Lowe suggested that the Atlanta Hawks wouldn't be willing to give up the No. 1 pick in exchange for San Antonio's No. 4 and No. 8 picks, but Givony revealed that it's actually the Spurs who view that deal as "too rich."

Givony added that the Hawks would likely be interested in getting back a 2025 unprotected first-round pick that originally belonged to them, but the Spurs "aren't particularly interested in that, either."

It was also noted that San Antonio held a private workout over the weekend with French wing Zaccharie Risacher, who Givony predicted in his latest mock draft would be selected No. 1 by Atlanta.

Risacher also spent a year playing alongside Spurs star and reigning Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama, so the team could be motivated to try to pair the two of them up once again.

However, Risacher is unlikely to be on the board when San Antonio is ready to make a selection. B/R's Jonathan Wasserman also predicted that the 19-year-old will be the No. 1 pick by the Hawks in his most recent mock draft.

This offseason will be crucial for the Spurs as they try to end their rebuild by adding more talent around Wembanyama. Perhaps the team's best course would be to hold onto both picks and add a pair of top prospects who would create a strong foundation for the future.

Victor Wembanyama showed some appreciation for the San Antonio Spurs.

The 2023-24 Rookie of the Year posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, celebrating his one-year anniversary with the team.

Happy 1 year anniversary @spurs 🖤🖤🖤

— Wemby (@wemby) June 22, 2024

The Spurs selected Wembanyama with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, which occurred on June 22, 2023. Saturday officially marks one year since the journey started, and it's safe to say that Wembanyama has lived up to the hype so far.

He averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists during his rookie season, which helped him take the ROTY award as well as being named to the all-rookie and all-defensive teams.

His individual success did not necessarily translate to success for his team. The Spurs went 22-60, which was an identical record to its 2022-23 season. That record is also the worst in franchise history, and the team is currently in the midst of its longest playoff drought as San Antonio has not qualified since 2018-19.

Wembanyama will be joined by whoever the team selects at No. 4 in the 2024 NBA Draft as the Spurs look to get closer to its former standard.

Rumors linking the San Antonio Spurs to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft "haven't gone away," according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Stein reported some still question whether the pick could be in play despite Atlanta Hawks general manager Landry Fields publicly indicating the franchise will stand pat.

San Antonio's 22-60 record points to how it needs a further infusion of talent to power its rebuild around Victor Wembanyama.

The 20-year-old might have actually exceeded expectations as a rookie, averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and an NBA-best 3.6 blocks en route to finishing as the runner-up in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Beyond Wembanyama, it's difficult to say whether the Spurs have another true cornerstone who can pair with him long-term.

The franchise might be able to find that kind of piece in the draft. Thanks to owning the fourth and eighth overall selections, the front office can take two cracks at the lottery and hope at least one is, or those picks can be packaged together to move further up the board.

In his most recent mock draft, Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected the Spurs to take UConn guard Stephon Castle and Providence guard Devin Carter.

One advantage to doing something aggressive in the draft — with an offer centered largely around picks — is that it wouldn't significantly accelerate San Antonio's timeline or impact the payroll in a big way.

As much as the Spurs will want to improve, moving too fast could box them in and limit their long-term ceiling.

The New Orleans Pelicans pulled off a blockbuster on the heels of Anthony Davis' rookie season, acquiring Jrue Holiday from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2013.

At the time, the deal looked like a home run for New Orleans because it landed a dynamic young guard who was an All-Star the previous year. Instead, the Pelicans never reached the heights they expected. Davis tasted the playoffs just twice during his time in the Big Easy before his trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Spurs shouldn't already feel rushed to assemble a playoff contender around Wembanyama. A draft-centric trade wouldn't necessarily signal the expectations are that high so soon.

The San Antonio Spurs could add a young frenchman through the NBA Draft for the second consecutive season.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that NBA executives believe French forward Tidjane Salaun is a "sleeper pick" for the Spurs second first round selection at No. 8.

"Rival NBA executives who've spoken with HoopsHype believe Tidjane Salaun is a sleeper pick for the Spurs at No. 8 overall," Scotto wrote. "It's worth noting that Salaun and Spurs franchise cornerstone Victor Wembanyama share the same agency."

San Antonio is in possession of the No. 4 and No. 8 picks in the 2024 Draft, with the latter being from the Toronto Raptors. Scotto's mock has San Antonio taking Stephon Castle with the fourth pick and Nikola Topic with the eighth pick, but Salaun appears to be in play for that second pick.

He averaged 9.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 33 games for Cholet of the LNB Élite league in France. This is the exact league that Wembanyama played in prior to being selected by the Spurs in 2023, and Salaun could potentially have an easier transition to the NBA if he were to be alongside a familiar face.

San Antonio is in desperate need for talent. The Spurs went 22-60 and missed the postseason for the fifth consecutive season. This came despite Wembanyama having a strong rookie season that saw him claim the Rookie of the Year award.

While the selections in this year's draft likely won't catapult the Spurs into contention immediately, it is the first time San Antonio can use the draft to build around Wembanyama. With this in mind, drafting a fellow French player appears to be an intriguing option.

The San Antonio Spurs are seen by "some teams" as "a potential trade-up option" from the No. 4 pick in order to draft French forward prospect Zaccharie Risacher, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony.

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor meanwhile reported that "the Spurs have had talks with Atlanta about moving up, and the expectation around the NBA is that they'd select Risacher."

Whoever wants to draft Risacher may need to make a deal with the Atlanta Hawks for the No. 1 pick, where Jonathan Wasserman projects the 6-foot-8 wing being selected in his latest 2024 NBA Mock Draft for Bleacher Report.

If the Hawks decide to hold onto the No. 1 pick in order to select another prospect like fellow French prospect Alex Sarr, other teams see the Spurs' No. 4 pick as the "floor" for Risacher, Givony wrote.

Risacher, who averaged 10.1 points per game in France's top league in 2023-24, was "scouted extensively last season" by the Spurs, Givony reported.

Givony noted that Risacher previously played with Spurs star Victor Wembanyama during the 2021-22 season in France, and that a team official described them as "being extremely close at the time."

According to O'Connor, the Hawks "have had discussions with other teams about moving down from the first pick," but "reportedly haven't even worked out all of their candidates for the No. 1 pick yet either, so they're just exploring their options."

No matter which player the Hawks decide to pursue, the Spurs may need to move up in order to snag Risacher. O'Connor reported that the Washington Wizards are likely to select either Risacher or Sarr with the No. 2 pick.

Wasserman described Risacher as a prospect who brings a "perceived level of certainty tied to his positional size, shooting and defensive tools/quickness" that could allow him to develop into a three-and-D at the NBA level.

The Spurs currently hold four draft picks, which they could be willing to use to move up if they believe adding that player archetype could help maximize Wembanyama's sophomore NBA season.