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NBA Rumors: Spurs have ‘strong interest’ in Derrick Rose, Chris Paul

By Brad Washington

Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half of the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Clippers won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half of the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Clippers won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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The San Antonio Spurs are showing strong interest in signing either Derrick Rose or Chris Paul via free agency.

The San Antonio Spurs finished this past season getting swept from the Western Conference Finals by the Golden State Warriors. While an ankle injury to Kawhi Leonard made that series more one-sided that it probably should have been, there’s no question the Warriors were the better team.

Which could explain why the Spurs are reportedly gearing up for a big free agency. San Antonio point guard Tony Parker suffered an injury against the Houston Rockets in the Western semis, and the severity of the injury, coupled with Parker’s age (35), has the Spurs targeting point guards Chris Paul and Derrick Rose. The Spurs are reportedly showing a “strong interest” in both.

Rose could be considered a risk for the Spurs. The former MVP hasn’t been an MVP-caliber player since a series of injuries took its toll on his explosive game. While he’ll never be the superstar he once was, he’s proven to be a productive starting point guard when healthy. This past season with the New York Knicks, Rose averaged 18 points a game.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul, though, may be the ideal fit for the Spurs. The 32-year-old is a better shooter and passer that Parker, and averaged 18 points, nine assists and five rebounds last season. Most importantly, he’s still playing somewhere close to his best basketball.

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Paul will also well complement the Spurs offense as a second/third option to Kawhi Leonard. Leonard, along with LaMarcus Aldridge, will greatly appreciate Paul’s passing and scoring skills. The three could give the Warriors a legit run at being the kings of the West. All it takes now is for the Spurs to decide between Paul and Rose.

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