Despite lacking the cap space necessary to make a successful pitch, the San Antonio Spurs are exploring ways to take a crack at point guard extraordinaire Chris Paul, who is set to opt out of his contract this offseason and become a free agent.

The Spurs are reportedly intrigued about featuring a three-headed monster comprised of Paul, Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

While the Clippers are regarded as strong favorites to sign the 32-year-old floor general, the Spurs represent a legitimate threat, given their ability to propel Paul past the second round of the playoffs, a place he's failed to reach after seven straight postseasons since 2010.

L.A. can make an offer as hefty as a five-year deal worth an estimated $205 million ($41 million per year) thanks to the new CBA which is set to kick in this July.

San Antonio, if it managed to clear the cap space necessary, could only pitch a four-year, $152 million offer ($38 million per year).

The Spurs would have to count on the potential retirement of Manu Ginobili, find a way to shed Pau Gasol‘s contract ($16.1 million) and renounce the rights to key free agents like Patty Mills, Jonathon Simmons, Dewayne Dedmon, and David Lee — basically pulling a Golden State-type wholesale trigger to facilitate the move.

If Gasol declines his player-option for next season, the club can choose to let him walk, if he signs on for next season, San Antonio will have to likely look for a trade partner, possibly including veterans Tony Parker and Danny Green.

The most likely option would be to seek a destination for Aldridge, after he's failed to become the missing piece the Spurs had wanted him to become and his value has gone way down from what it was two years ago coming from the Portland Trail Blazers in 2015.

Another route could be a sign-and-trade, though Paul would not be allowed to net a $205-million deal, as the trade would merely be a way for the Spurs to clear assets in return for his services.