SAN ANTONIO – Just three days before the start of NBA free agency, Spurs fans and NBA fans alike were dropped a bombshell Wednesday morning when reports surfaced of Chris Paul being traded to rival Houston Rockets.
For fans, San Antonio seemed like a probable destination after rumors emerged about the nine-time All-Star point guard having a mutual interest with the Spurs, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
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RELATED ON KSAT.COM: Report: Clippers trade All-Star guard Chris Paul to Rockets
The report said Paul intended to give the Spurs “serious consideration in free agency this summer” and was considered a lock to have a face-to-face meeting with the now ex-Clippers point guard.
According to Stein’s article, Paul was intrigued by the idea of playing for Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and teaming up with star forward Kawhi Leonard.
However, in a tweet shared by ESPN’s NBA writer Marc J. Spears, even though Paul was “seriously interested in Spurs,” and the “chance to play off the ball & share PG (point guard) duties with James Harden was more attractive.”
Chris Paul was seriously interested in Spurs, source says, but chance to play off ball & share PG duties w/James Harden was more attractive.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) June 28, 2017
According to NBA insider Jeff Goodman, “Spurs didn’t show significant interest in Chris Paul” with the team having an “aging point guard in Tony Parker.”
For Spurs fans and NBA fans alike, the dream of Chris Paul in a silver and black uniform was crushed Wednesday but some are still trusting San Antonio’s front office in two-time "Executive of the Year" award winner R.C. Buford to build an even stronger team without Paul.
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(CHECK OUT WHAT FANS HAD TO SAY ABOUT CHRIS PAUL JOINING THE HOUSTON ROCKETS AND NOT THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS)
Chris Paul, Ru Paul, Sean Paul. It don't matter. Spurs in 5. pic.twitter.com/oMpYKQsfKQ
— Checho (@MrSergioT) June 28, 2017
Clippers just traded Chris Paul for a two piece chicken tender and a half eaten (((((BONELESS))))) Pizza.#Spurs #GoSpursGo #NBA #rockets50
— Jacob Hernandez (@J_DEZ09) June 28, 2017
So Chris Paul just gonna act like the Spurs didn't beat Houston in the playoffs ?
— Jesus Flores 🤠 (@Cowboii_210) June 28, 2017
Smh his best chance was with us. https://t.co/hgGgWzUjcc
i'm pissed that the spurs didn't get chris paul because now i can't put oliver's spurs jersey on and call him chris pauliver :/ pic.twitter.com/I3BPQUUohl
— D (@daniemartt) June 28, 2017
Chris Paul on rockets is going to be the same situation he had with the Clippers. Good but not good enough to beat the Spurs/Warriors
— Ramon G (@YoYoRamonShow) June 28, 2017
The Warriors when they seen Chris Paul went to the Rockets instead of the Spurs pic.twitter.com/fbOfbQ0RcA
— Sandor Clegane Fan Account (@InBossYouTrust) June 28, 2017
CP3 to Houston makes about as much sense as Spanish streets signs in China.
— The Old Trill AC (@TheTrillAC) June 28, 2017
The Spurs didn't want Chris Paul anyway, Dejounte Murray is the future
— Ryan Kempf (@rykempf) June 28, 2017
Chris Paul stays away from the Spurs! Thank goodness.
— JukemPNukem (@JukemPNukem) June 28, 2017
Young Chris Paul and old Tim Duncan. pic.twitter.com/yuS5npymJn
— SI Vault (@si_vault) June 28, 2017
Dejounte Murray > Chris Paul
— Diego Granados (@diegogranados33) June 28, 2017
All of San Antonio right now when reading about Chris Paul pic.twitter.com/gwJHsoOEZM
— Hi.Im Valexi. Call me Mr.Yeet👨🏼🍳🥭 (@iamvalexi) June 28, 2017
"Spurs didn't show significant interest in Chris Paul, source told ESPN. " pic.twitter.com/6AKCId5NCT
— One of The Blacks, YAHERDME (@Black_Ted_Mosby) June 28, 2017
Because Chris Paul is aging at the same rate as Tony Parker. Great point!
— Drunk Sixers Fan (@DrunkSixersFan) June 28, 2017
Choosing Dantoni and Harden over Popovich and Leonard 🤔 #NotSmart
— Ike Reese (@Ike58Reese) June 28, 2017
@DannyLeroux more attractive than getting the keys to the car with Pop and Kawhi? Cmon lol
— Corey Wolfenbarger (@coreywolfen) June 28, 2017
I like him on the Rockets too but if he had gone to SAS, they would have been an actual threat to the Warriors.
— Kevin Lewis (@_Kevin_Lewis_) June 28, 2017
I'd rather play with Kawhi than with Harden.
— Bossa (@chn_arsenal) June 28, 2017
I agree, next year when the rockets lose game 6 at home to a Kawhi Leonardless spurs, it Will only be by 20, not 40.
— justjwill88 (@justjwill88) June 28, 2017
Hmmm. Losing in the second round must also be attractive to CP3. Houston isn't going to be a threat to Spurs or GSW. 🤔😂
— Chris Rasmussen (@Rasmussen22) June 28, 2017