Clippers Part Ways with Chris Paul in Stunning Midseason Move
In a move that caught just about everyone off guard, the Los Angeles Clippers have released Chris Paul, ending the veteran point guard’s second stint with the franchise in abrupt fashion. The 12-time All-Star broke the news himself on Wednesday via Instagram Stories, posting simply: “Just Found Out I'm Being Sent Home,” punctuated with a peace sign emoji.
Paul, 40, had made it clear this season would be his last - his 21st in the NBA. But few expected it to end like this: mid-road trip, midseason, and without a proper sendoff for one of the league’s all-time greats.
The Clippers, who are sitting at 5-16 after a blowout loss to the Miami Heat on Monday, are currently in Atlanta for a matchup against the Hawks. Paul had been coming off the bench this season, logging just 14 minutes per game - a career-low - and averaging 2.9 points and 3.3 assists. Those numbers are a far cry from his prime, but even in limited minutes, Paul brought a level of leadership and experience that’s hard to quantify.
Team president Lawrence Frank addressed the decision in a statement, emphasizing that Paul wasn’t being scapegoated for the team’s early struggles.
“Chris is a legendary Clipper who has had a historic career,” Frank said. “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.”
That’s a strong message from the front office, and an important one. Because while Paul’s on-court production has dipped, his presence in the locker room and his basketball IQ still carry weight. But clearly, the Clippers are looking to shake things up.
Paul’s NBA journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Drafted fourth overall by the New Orleans Hornets in 2005, he won Rookie of the Year and quickly became one of the league’s premier point guards.
His first stint with the Clippers, beginning in 2011 after a blockbuster trade from New Orleans, helped usher in the “Lob City” era - a high-flying, highlight-reel brand of basketball that brought relevance back to the franchise. He made five All-Star appearances during his six seasons in L.A. before being traded to the Houston Rockets in 2017.
Since then, Paul has suited up for a total of seven NBA teams, including stops in Oklahoma City, Phoenix, and most recently San Antonio, where he played all 82 games last season before signing with the Clippers as a free agent this past summer.
The numbers speak for themselves. Paul ranks second all-time in both assists (12,552) and steals (2,728), trailing only John Stockton in both categories.
He’s also 36th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 23,058 points. Add in two Olympic gold medals with Team USA - from Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012 - and it’s clear we’re talking about one of the most complete point guards the game has ever seen.
Whether this is the final chapter in Paul’s story remains to be seen. If another team doesn’t pick him up, this may be how one of the NBA’s most decorated careers comes to a close - not with a farewell tour, but with a quiet, late-night roster move.
For now, one thing is certain: Chris Paul’s impact on the game - and on the Clippers franchise - won’t be forgotten anytime soon.