In a move that caught just about everyone off guard, the Los Angeles Clippers have sent home veteran point guard Chris Paul - a stunning development for a player who, not long ago, was considered the face of the franchise.
The news first trickled out via Paul’s own Instagram story, before being confirmed by the team and league insiders. And while the Clippers issued a statement on the decision, the message was clear: one of the greatest to ever wear the uniform is no longer part of their plans.
Let’s be clear - this wasn’t about performance. The Clippers are sitting at 5-16, and their struggles run deep.
But Paul? He’s been one of the few steadying forces in a chaotic season.
His leadership, poise, and basketball IQ have remained intact, even as the team around him has faltered. If anything, he’s been a stabilizer - not the source of the storm.
Paul’s résumé speaks for itself. A 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA selection, nine-time All-Defensive team member, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
He’s also the only player in NBA history to record both 20,000 points and 10,000 assists - a stat line that reads like a Hall of Fame lock. His 12,552 career assists trail only John Stockton’s seemingly untouchable 15,806.
This season may well be Paul’s last - something he’s hinted at in recent months. If that’s the case, this isn’t exactly the farewell a player of his stature deserves. Not after nearly two decades of elite playmaking, clutch moments, and setting the standard for what a true floor general looks like.
His journey back to the Clippers had the feel of a full-circle moment. After a brief, rocky stint with the Warriors - a team he once battled fiercely in the playoffs as a Clipper and later as a Rocket - Paul was dealt to Golden State in the trade that sent Jordan Poole to Washington. That one-year run in the Bay didn’t produce much success, but it did set the stage for a return to L.A., where his legacy was built.
Now, that chapter ends not with a celebration or a proper sendoff, but with a quiet, late-night exit.
For the Clippers, this decision raises more questions than it answers. What direction is this team really heading in? And what message does it send to the locker room - and the league - when a player of Paul’s caliber is dismissed midseason, despite not being the problem?
Chris Paul isn’t just a stat sheet legend - he’s a culture-setter, a leader, and a player whose impact goes far beyond the box score. And while his time with the Clippers is now officially over, his imprint on the franchise - and the game - is undeniable.
No matter where he goes next, or if this truly is the end, Paul’s legacy is already cemented. But the way this played out? It’s a tough look for a Clippers team still searching for answers.