The Los Angeles Clippers announced early Wednesday that they are parting ways with veteran point guard Chris Paul during a road trip in Atlanta. Paul, who rejoined the team this summer for his final NBA season, confirmed the news on Instagram at 2:40 a.m. ET. The move comes amid the Clippers' 5-16 start to the season.
The Clippers' decision to send Paul home shocked the NBA, occurring in the middle of a five-game road trip after a loss to the Miami Heat on Monday. Paul, a 12-time All-Star and franchise legend from 2011 to 2017, had signed a one-year, $3.6 million deal in July 2025 to end his career in Los Angeles. He announced his retirement plans on November 22, 2025, before a game in Charlotte.
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank issued a statement to ESPN: "We are parting ways with Chris and he will no longer be with the team. 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 our franchise."
Paul posted on Instagram: "just found out I'm being sent home" with a peace finger emoji. The meeting with Paul lasted three hours, starting at 11 p.m. ET due to travel delays. Reports indicate tension between Paul and coach Tyronn Lue, who had not spoken for several weeks after Paul requested a meeting about rumors of being a negative presence; Lue refused.
Lue commented before Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Hawks: "I don't like it. It just didn't work out like we thought it would. I don't like it for CP, but it's just not a good fit."
In 16 games this season, Paul averaged 2.9 points, 3.3 assists, and 14.3 minutes per game on 32.1% shooting, career lows in his 21st NBA season at age 40. The Clippers, sitting 14th in the Western Conference, cannot trade Paul until December 15 and face roster constraints preventing an immediate waiver.
Paul ranks second all-time in assists (12,552) and steals (2,728), with no NBA championship despite a 2021 Finals appearance with the Phoenix Suns. This marks another abrupt exit for a Clippers star, similar to Blake Griffin's 2018 trade.
