Clippers Cut Ties With Chris Paul, Send Veteran Guard Back to Los Angeles
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ATLANTA — The LA Clippers abruptly separated from veteran guard Chris Paul overnight, instructing the 40-year-old to leave the team’s road trip and return to Los Angeles, the club confirmed early Wednesday.
Paul disclosed the decision on Instagram shortly before 3 a.m. ET, saying he had just learned he was being sent home ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. Minutes later, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank texted ESPN to confirm the move.
“We are parting ways with Chris and he will no longer be with the team,” Frank wrote. “We will work with him on the next step of his career. Chris is a legendary Clipper who has had a historic career. No one is blaming Chris for our underperformance. I accept responsibility for the record we have right now.”
The Clippers, losers of 14 of their past 16 games and owners of a 5-16 record, must now decide whether to waive Paul and absorb the remaining $3.6 million on his one-year contract, negotiate a buyout, or wait until Dec. 15 to pursue a trade.
Paul rejoined the franchise in late July for his 21st NBA season, hoping to finish his career where he starred from 2011 to 2017. Last month, ESPN reported that Paul intends to retire after the season. He has appeared in 16 games off the bench, averaging 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in 14.3 minutes. His final outing came Monday in Miami, where he logged eight points and three assists in 15 minutes of a 140-123 defeat.
The Clippers’ struggles have been compounded by the loss of offseason acquisition Bradley Beal, who suffered a season-ending hip injury in early November. Despite the team’s skid, Frank emphasized Paul’s positive impact, noting the guard remains the franchise’s all-time leader in assists and steals per game.
Wednesday’s split marks the second abrupt departure of a marquee player from the Clippers’ “Lob City” era. Blake Griffin signed a five-year, $171 million extension in July 2017 but was traded to the Detroit Pistons six months later.
Source: ESPN
