NBA: Los Angeles Clippers part ways with Chris Paul in retirement year
Paul is set to end his NBA career at the end of the season
The Los Angeles Clippers confirmed in the early hours of Wednesday morning that Chris Paul is no longer part of the team, ending his second stint with the franchise.
Paul revealed the development himself shortly before 3am ET, posting an Instagram story saying he had just learned he was being sent home to Los Angeles from Atlanta, where the Clippers are set to face the Hawks later on Wednesday.
Soon after Paul’s post, team president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank issued a statement, confirming the separation.
“We are parting ways with Chris and he will no longer be with the team,” Frank said. “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 the franchise.”
The Clippers must now determine the mechanism for Paul’s departure. The team would either need to waive him and pay his $3.6 million salary, negotiate a buyout, or pursue a trade – though any trade would not be permitted until December 15.
The decision comes during a difficult run for the Clippers, who have lost 14 of their past 16 games and sit at 5-16.
The team has been without Bradley Beal, one of their key offseason additions, since early November due to a season-ending hip injury.
Paul, 40, returned to the franchise in late July on a one-year contract, offering him the chance to finish his career where he spent six seasons between 2011 and 2017.
Last month, it was reported that Paul plans to retire at the end of the season, his 21st in the NBA.
A franchise leader in total assists and steals per game, Paul accepted a reduced role this season, coming off the bench and understanding he would not feature every night.
He appeared in 16 games, averaging 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in 14.3 minutes. His final outing came in Monday’s 140-123 loss in Miami, where he logged 15 minutes with eight points and three assists.