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Report: Spurs exploring making run at Chris Paul in free agency

Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

The San Antonio Spurs reportedly have their sights set on one of the big prizes in free agency this summer. Now it's just a matter of whether or not they'll have the resources to sign him.

The Spurs are currently exploring the feasibility of making a run at nine-time All-Star Chris Paul when he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

The prospect of pairing CP3 with both Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge intrigues San Antonio, even though it would cost the franchise an arm and a leg to make that star-studded trio a reality.

The Los Angeles Clippers have the clear-cut advantage when it comes to how much money they can offer Paul - which could go as high as $205-210 million over five seasons. The Spurs, in comparison, can only offer $152 million over four years, but only after making dramatic changes to its roster.

Longtime Spur Manu Ginobili may opt for retirement, Patty Mills and Joel Anthony will soon be unrestricted, Jonathon Simmons is set to become a restricted free agent, and both Dewayne Dedmon and Pau Gasol have player options for the 2017-18 campaign. Gasol's is far more lucrative at $16.1 million, which the Spurs would need him to decline to clear up the necessary space, just for starters.

Even with their lack of cap flexibility, the Clippers reportedly still view San Antonio as a serious threat to lure Paul away.

The Spurs were bounced from the Western Conference finals in a clean sweep at the hands of the Golden State Warriors. They did hold a 25-point lead in Game 1, though once Leonard went down with an ankle injury, the series went south in a hurry.

Paul suited up for 61 games this season for the 51-win Clippers, averaging 18.1 points on 47.6 percent shooting, 9.2 assists, five rebounds, and 1.9 steals in 31.5 minutes. Los Angeles failed to reach the conference finals for the sixth year in a row, which could impact Paul's decision on where he wants to play next season and beyond.

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