The Los Angeles Clippers abruptly parted ways with veteran point guard Chris Paul late Tuesday night, ending a brief but exciting return for the 12-time All-Star who became one of the defining players of the Lob City era.
Paul, 40, revealed on his Instagram Story that he was sent home by the team midway through the five-game road trip. The Clippers, who play the Hawks in Atlanta on Wednesday night, confirmed the split earlier Wednesday but did not provide specific reasons for the decision.
advertise
“We are parting ways with Chris and he will no longer be with the team,” Clippers president Lawrence Frank said in a statement. “We will work with him on the next step in his career. Chris is a legendary Clipper with a historic career. I want to make one thing clear: No one is blaming Chris for our poor performance. I take responsibility for our current record. There are many reasons why we are in trouble. We appreciate the impact Chris has had on this team.”
The move ends Paul’s second stint with the Clippers just months after he signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract in the offseason. Paul, who previously spent six highly successful seasons in Los Angeles, called the decision to return “a no-brainer” when he signed. However, this season has been far different than what he expected when he reunited with the team.
Paul has announced that this will be the final year of his 21-season NBA career, his second in a backup role. He averaged 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in limited time, including 8 points and 3 assists in 15 minutes in Monday’s loss to the Miami Heat.
The Clippers’ struggles have overshadowed most of the team’s storylines. Los Angeles enters Wednesday’s game with a 5-16 record, the second-worst record in the Western Conference. They have lost five straight games and eight of their last nine as the team’s frustration grows.
advertise
Paul is one of the greatest point guards of this generation, playing for seven teams, leading the league in assists with five and steals with six. Although he just missed out on an NBA championship, his status as a future Hall of Famer is unquestionable.
After a swift and unexpected breakup, where he goes next and what the final months of his career will look like are now uncertain.
