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Future Hall of Famer Chris Paul saw his second tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers come to an unexpected end on Wednesday.
The organization announced that it was cutting ties with the veteran guard, who had signed a one-year deal earlier this offseason.
In 16 appearances, Paul averaged just 2.9 points per game, marking one of the quietest stretches of his career.
The drama intensified early Wednesday morning when, at around 2:40 a.m. ET, Paul posted on Instagram: “Just found out I’m being sent home.” Hours later, the Clippers issued their official confirmation.
Ty Lue Shares Why The Move Happened
Speaking publicly for the first time since the decision, head coach Tyronn Lue explained that the pairing simply did not work for either side.
“I just think it wasn’t a good fit for what he was looking for,” Lue said. “Do I want to see CP go out like this? No… he’s been a friend of mine for years. You never want to see a great player end things this way.”
Despite the disappointing outcome, Lue expressed confidence that Paul will land elsewhere, praising him as a great player with years of respect behind his name.
Paul’s Long Journey And His Hopes For A Final Run
The 40-year-old guard, who previously starred for the Clippers from 2011 to 2017, had returned to Los Angeles hoping for a meaningful final push toward an NBA title.
Paul has already announced that he plans to retire after the 2025–26 season, making this stint especially important.
Before rejoining the Clippers, Paul spent time with the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and San Antonio Spurs.
His year with the Spurs was particularly notable — he played all 82 games and averaged 28 minutes, his highest workload since 2022–23.
However, with the Clippers, Paul was in and out of the rotation, unable to carve out a consistent role on a team struggling with a 5–16 record and sitting on a five-game losing streak.
Clippers Front Office Clarifies The Situation
Team president Lawrence Frank emphasized that Paul’s release wasn’t tied to any single moment.
“This decision had nothing to do with one incident or one meeting,” Frank said. “Respectfully, some business must remain internal, but this wasn’t about one event.”
Paul averaged 2.9 points in 14.3 minutes per game, shooting 32.1% from the field during his brief time in Los Angeles. Due to NBA salary-cap rules, he cannot be moved until December 15.
Chris Paul’s abrupt exit from the Los Angeles Clippers marks a disappointing chapter in the legendary point guard’s career.
Both Ty Lue and the Clippers’ front office insisted that the move stemmed from a poor fit, not from conflict or controversy.
While Paul had hoped to close out his career with a championship push in Los Angeles, the situation never came together as envisioned.
With his retirement timeline already set, the basketball world now watches to see where the veteran star will make his next — and possibly final — NBA stop.
FAQs
Why did the Clippers release Chris Paul?
The team stated that the decision was based on fit, not on a single incident or disagreement. His role simply didn’t align with expectations.
How did Chris Paul perform with the Clippers this season?
Paul averaged 2.9 points, 14.3 minutes, and shot 32.1% from the field across 16 games.
When is Chris Paul eligible to join another team?
Because of salary-cap restrictions, Paul cannot be traded or officially signed elsewhere until December 15.