The San Antonio Spurs might turn to a veteran point guard to right the ship alongside Victor Wembanyama.

The San Antonio Spurs are ready to do whatever it takes to make Victor Wembanyama better. He finished his rookie season as a top-25 player in the NBA and is expected to win Defensive Player of the Year and be named to an All-NBA team as soon as next season.

The Spurs started the season by starting Jeremy Sochan at point guard, which helped Sochan’s decision-making but made the Spurs, simply, a worse team. When Tre Jones entered the starting lineup and Sochan slotted back to his natural forward spot, the Spurs looked like a new team on every level.

It’s safe to say that adding a top-tier point guard would make the Spurs, and in turn Wembanyama, better, and faster. Trae Young has been included in trade rumors with the Spurs, or San Antonio could consider drafting a standout point guard. According to a recent report by NBA Insider Marc Stein, Young’s high price tag has buckled the Spurs front office, and Chris Paul is now a candidate.

October 20, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Chris Paul (3, front) shoots the basketball against San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3, back) during the first half at Chase Center.

© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Paul, 38, is regarded as one of the best point guards of all time. He is coming off a disappointing season with the Golden State Warriors and is well past his prime, but he would be brought in as a mentor, example, and someone who can make the Spurs rebuild accelerate.

“A potential team to watch, should Paul and the Warriors part ways, is San Antonio,” wrote Stein. “Among the early personnel rumbles in circulation: The Spurs could emerge as a Paul suitor if they decide to pursue some veteran know-how.”

Earlier in the season, Gregg Popovich heaped the praise on Paul. “He’s one of the all-time best competitors in the league. He’s a great leader, great competitor.”

If the Spurs bring Paul in, expect Wembanyama’s development to take off even quicker than it did this season. While Tre Jones remains criminally underrated, he is not the Hall of Fame talent that Paul was and continues to be.

While Paul won’t be around to finish the Spurs rebuild–he has to retire at some point–he will be an extra coach who can also run point in crunch time. He has been acutely aware that in his twilight years, he is not “the guy.” A young Shai Gilgous-Alexander and Devin Booker have been, and those teams saw great success with Paul. If he has given up on his ring-chasing and wants to usher in the new generation of NBA talent, there is no better place for it.

If Wembanyama already has GOAT potential, adding a mentor and facilitator like Paul to help show him the ropes will just improve his progression and make his ceiling even higher.