The Chris Paul to San Antonio "rumor"

[Crow]

How likely do you think it is that this actually happens? Not considered, explored... happens.

A separate questions, for those inclined, is: who initiated this rumor?
Chris Paul's representation
Spurs' front office
Spurs' owner
Spurs' fans
ESPN
Obscure on the inter-webs
Lakers / fans
Blake Griffin's contingent
Austin Rivers
Kyle Lowry
George Hill
Jeff Teague
Larry Ellison
Paul Allen
Neil Oshley
Adam Silver
David Stern
Other

[jgoldstein34]

Your options for who initiated it are fantastic and I'd jokingly vote Austin Rivers. In all seriousness, I do think their is mutual interest. I think in an ideal world, if all the money was equal, CP would join the Spurs. But, the money is just so far off and the Spurs would have to trade a lot of key guys to get the deal to work. I wouldn't be surprised by CP ending up on the Spurs, but it's certainly not a likely or expected outcome.

[bondom343]

I'd give it 2 percent on a random off chance, but I'd guess it would be something a rival exec could toss out as a story. Just seems so un Spurs like.

[rlee]

Most likely "obscure on the interwebs", possibly ESPN

[Crow]

I don't know if they started it but Zach Lowe and Kevin Arinovitz were the loudest voices pushing the "it's real" position from what I heard.

[rlee]

I did a study of this type of rumor about 3 years ago. 2 of the most prominent 74 actually happened. So, if form holds...

[rlee]

On his podcast, Zach did start by saying that he thought it was real. But then he added: " I don't know how real it is given the Clippers can offer a gigantic amount of money and are also a really good team, and the Spurs have no sort of cap flexibility to get there."

And Woj's take: "Not that I see. I don't know where that came from. I've spent a lot of time around the Spurs this spring. They would have to just tear up that entire payroll. It's almost unlike anything the Spurs would've done or would do to even have a chance at him. I mean, they'd have to really gut the roster. And to do that for a 30-plus-year-old point guard, who has a couple great years left, there's no question -- I think there's more pressure on the Clippers to have to re-sign him than for the Spurs to turn their whole franchise over to make a run at him."

[Crow]

Zach's it's real then I dunno how real was one of the weakest looks for him, imo. Woj kinda drifted in late and said the obvious. Industry leaders? Not on this one. Neither cited a source. May have one but if you don't cite it, it is too mushy, unimpressive.

[jgoldstein34]

I know it's real that CP and Pop have a ton of mutual respect for one another. Mutual interest in actually signing probably exists as far as any team would probably love to sign CP and CP would, in a perfect world, love to get the chance to play for Pop. Not sure much in terms of actuality behind it becoming a reality. Mutual interest in it from a hypothetical perspective than interest in making it real.

[jgoldstein34]

https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statu ... 5661795328

This sounds like IF CP decides to leave, San Antonio is the destination. That being said, maybe 5% at best that he actually leaves.

[rlee]

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/summer-ag ... 32246.html

[Crow]

Well the rumor peddlers (including Lowe) missed on this one by a few hundred miles. The Apbrmetrics voters here gave it an average chance of 16%. That was closer to right.

[jgoldstein34]

What a turn of events. If they can get a 3rd star (PG?), they have a real shot at catching the Warriors.

[Crow]

Extending Harden now vs. wait?

[jgoldstein34]

You have to think they wait to try and use that cap space on an additional player.