ATLANTA — The Los Angeles Clippers have removed 12-time All-Star Chris Paul from the roster following several weeks in which the veteran guard and head coach Ty Lue were no longer speaking, multiple sources told ESPN.
Team president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said Wednesday, Dec. 3, that the decision was the result of “fluid” discussions held over time rather than any single incident. Paul, 40, was informed in a late-night meeting after the club arrived in Atlanta for Wednesday’s game against the Hawks.
Lengthy, emotional meeting
The Clippers’ charter flight was delayed six hours in Miami due to mechanical issues, pushing the conversation deep into the night. Frank described the ensuing three-hour talk with Paul as emotional and filled with disagreement. “This wasn’t a five-minute ‘Moneyball’ meeting,” Frank said. “Chris sees it differently than I do.”
Near 3 a.m. ET, Paul posted on social media that he had been ordered to return to Los Angeles. Minutes later, Frank texted a statement to ESPN confirming that Paul would no longer be with the team.
Clashing styles
Sources said Paul’s vocal approach to holding teammates, coaches and management accountable had begun to feel disruptive inside the organization, leading to friction with Lue. Despite the team’s 5-16 start, Lue insisted before tip-off in Atlanta that Paul’s play was not the reason for the poor record. “I didn’t want to see it end like this,” Lue said, adding that he expects Paul to find another opportunity.
Frank emphasized that Lue’s position is secure and accepted responsibility for the slow start. “I’m not using Chris as a scapegoat,” he said. “His legacy with us stands.”
Return ends abruptly
Paul rejoined the Clippers in late July on a one-year contract, hoping to finish his career with the franchise he led from 2011 to 2017. Sources told ESPN last month that he plans to retire at season’s end, his 21st in the NBA. Serving as a reserve for the first time, Paul averaged 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in 14.3 minutes over 16 games.
The franchise’s all-time leader in assists and steals per game is the second Lob City star to exit abruptly; Blake Griffin was traded to Detroit months after signing a five-year extension in 2017.
Source: ESPN
