The Chris Paul era in Los Angeles is officially over-again. And this time, it’s not ending with a trade to a contender or a playoff heartbreak. According to former Clippers guard Lou Williams, the franchise simply had enough of Paul’s outspoken leadership behind closed doors and decided to move on.
“CP3 was holding players and coaches accountable… he was critical of the front office… that was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Williams said during a recent appearance on Run It Back. That’s a bold statement from someone who shared locker room space with Paul and knows the inner workings of an NBA team better than most.
The Clippers, off to a brutal 5-16 start, are clearly in a state of disarray. And while Paul’s on-court production has dipped-he’s averaging just 2.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game on 32.1% shooting-it’s his voice in the locker room that seems to have worn thin with the organization. For a player known throughout his career as a floor general and vocal leader, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
Team president Lawrence Frank addressed the situation directly, announcing the team is parting ways with Paul and will work with him on the next step of his career. Frank made it clear that Paul isn’t being scapegoated for the team’s poor start.
“Chris is a legendary Clipper who has had a historic career,” Frank said. “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.”
That’s a respectful send-off, but the writing’s on the wall. Whether it’s a trade, a buyout, or a straight-up release, the Clippers are moving on. With Paul’s $3.6 million salary still on the books, the team can’t trade him until December 15, so any resolution before then would likely involve a buyout or waiving him outright.
It’s a quiet and complicated exit for one of the game’s most decorated point guards. Paul’s résumé speaks for itself: 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA selection, nine-time All-Defensive honoree, and a lock for the Hall of Fame. He’s been the engine behind countless playoff runs, a master of the pick-and-roll, and one of the smartest players to ever lace them up.
Paul’s journey through the league has been long and storied. From his early days with the New Orleans Hornets to his runs with the Rockets, Thunder, Suns, and Warriors, he’s worn a lot of jerseys but always brought the same intensity and basketball IQ. His most recent stint with the Clippers marked his second time with the franchise, but it clearly didn’t go as planned.
At 38, Paul’s numbers have tailed off, and it’s fair to wonder how much gas he has left in the tank. Still, his impact on the game goes far beyond the stat sheet.
He helped guide the Suns to the 2021 NBA Finals alongside Devin Booker, coming within two wins of a championship before falling to the Milwaukee Bucks. That remains the closest he’s come to the elusive title.
If this is the end of the road, Paul leaves behind a legacy that’s bigger than rings. He’s been the ultimate competitor, a mentor to young guards, and a player who demanded excellence from everyone around him. That intensity may have rubbed some people the wrong way in L.A., but it’s also what made him one of the best point guards the game has ever seen.
The Clippers, meanwhile, are left with more questions than answers. A 5-16 record, a fractured locker room, and now the departure of a veteran voice. It’s a franchise searching for direction-and doing so without one of the league’s all-time greats.