Keldon Johnson Switches from No. 3 Spurs Jersey to No. 0 After Chris Paul Contract
September 4, 2024
Keldon Johnson is paying respect to one of his newest teammates.
The San Antonio Spurs guard announced on Instagram that he is switching to No. 0 for the 2024-25 season, clearing the way for guard Chris Paul to don his established No. 3.
Johnson is entering his sixth season in the NBA, all with San Antonio. He has worn No. 3 throughout that entire run. Paul is entering his 20th season with his seventh team but has worn No. 3 with every franchise.
Johnson averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 2023-24 for San Antonio. He was relegated to more of a bench role, only making 27 starts in 69 games, but still should provide some valuable minutes for the Spurs.
Paul averaged 9.2 points, 6.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 58 games for the Golden State Warriors in 2023-24. These numbers don't line-up with his former standard but he should still bring a wealth of experience to a Spurs team that really needs it.
San Antonio just capped off a second consecutive 22-60 season and is currently in the longest playoff drought (five seasons) in franchise history. That could definitely increase to six, but Paul's presence should help the development of 2023-24 Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama, 2024 first-round pick Stephon Castle and the 24-year-old Johnson.
