According to NBA reporter Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, everyone on the Los Angeles Clippers was “fed up” with Chris Paul.
The Clippers, who are in Atlanta, have sent Paul home. He will not play for them anymore.
“Chris Paul was released by the Clippers overnight after extended conflict with the team, a league source not authorized to discuss the issue publicly told The Times,” Turner wrote. “Paul called out fellow Clippers players, coaches and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank during his current stint with the team, a league source told The Times. The person added that Paul apologized, but ‘everyone was fed up.’
“It is unlikely Paul will sign with another team, a league source told The Times, because of his powerful voice in the locker room, which can be difficult for teams to deal with, and his age.”
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue wasn’t on speaking terms with Paul for several weeks, according to NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN.
NBA insider Chris Haynes also reports that Lue refused to meet with Paul, who wanted to discuss allegations that he was a negative presence on the team.
The Clippers have been a walking disaster this season. They are only 5-16 despite having Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
“We are parting ways with Chris and he will no longer be with the team,” Frank said. “We will work with him on the next step of his career. Chris is a legendary Clipper who has had a historic career. I want to make one thing very clear. No one is blaming Chris for our underperformance. I accept responsibility for the record we have right now. There are a lot of reasons why we’ve struggled. We’re grateful for the impact Chris has made on the franchise.”
Paul has played in 16 games this season. He’s averaging 2.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 32.1% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 50.0% from the free-throw line.
To move on from Paul, the Clippers will have to waive him and pay out his $3.6 million salary, agree to a buyout or trade him, which they can’t execute until December 15.
One of the best point guards in NBA history, Paul has played for the New Orleans Hornets, Clippers (twice), Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs. He holds career averages of 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game.
Paul has made 12 All-Star teams, nine All-Defensive teams and 11 All-NBA teams. He’s a top 75 player of all time and will make the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame one day.
Paul and Devin Booker guided the Suns to the 2021 NBA Finals. Phoenix took a 2-0 lead against the Milwaukee Bucks but lost four games in a row. Paul hasn’t gotten back to the NBA Finals since.
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