The Los Angeles Clippers have made the dramatic decision to part ways with future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul as the franchise confronts one of its most challenging starts to a season. The move comes amid a devastating stretch where the team has dropped 14 of its last 16 games, prompting significant organizational changes.
Lawrence Frank, President of Basketball Operations for the Clippers, confirmed the separation in a statement to ESPN, emphasizing that the decision was not a reflection of Paul’s performance. “Chris is a legendary Clipper who has had a historic career,” Frank stated. “I want to make one thing very clear: No one is blaming Chris for our under-performance. I accept responsibility for the record we have right now.”
The 40-year-old Paul, currently in his 21st and final NBA season, took to Instagram to acknowledge the development with a succinct message: “just found out I’m being sent home.” ESPN sources revealed that communication between Paul and head coach Tyronn Lue had completely broken down in recent weeks, creating an untenable situation within the organization.
Paul’s legacy with the Clippers spans two separate tenures—his initial six-season stretch from 2011-2017 that established him as one of the franchise’s most iconic players, and his recent return on a one-year contract signed this past July. Despite his individual brilliance throughout his career, Paul has never captured an NBA championship, reaching the Finals only once in 2021 with the Phoenix Suns before falling to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The veteran guard leaves the game as one of the most statistically accomplished players in NBA history, ranking second all-time in both assists (12,552) and steals (2,728), trailing only legendary Utah Jazz guard John Stockton in both categories.