*The Los Angeles Clippers have officially parted ways with Chris Paul after a series of tensions involving management, coaches, and players, sources report.
The veteran point guard was sent home on December 3 following a meeting with team president Lawrence Frank, marking the end of his second stint with the franchise. Reports suggest friction began when Paul attempted to hold teammates accountable on the court, per Sports Illustrated. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, during a November matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, Paul approached Kawhi Leonard in the fourth quarter, asking, “‘Hey man, are you fresh enough—do you feel like you can stick with Klay Thompson?’”
Paul suggested switching defensive assignments to allow Leonard to get fully warmed up. The matchup was adjusted following his recommendation. “… he [Paul] asked his teammates, he said ‘Hey, y’all might want to switch this. Wait until he gets warm until he goes and guards Klay.’ … And so they ended up switching the matchup,” Haynes said.
.@ChrisBHaynes tells the story behind Chris Paul’s leeway Instagram story.#NBAonPrime pic.twitter.com/Mg0Sc1HGE0
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) December 6, 2025
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Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy, however, was reportedly displeased. “Listen, you might have had that leeway in other places to be able to change up defensive coverages. But you don’t have that leeway here,” Van Gundy told Paul during a meeting the following day, Haynes said. While described as a “minor” exchange, the incident exemplified growing tension between Paul and head coach Ty Lue, who reportedly were not on speaking terms for weeks.
Paul, 40, had re-signed with the Clippers on a one-year deal this summer, hoping to conclude his career where his “Lob City” legacy began. Despite a decorated career as a 12-time All-Star, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and record-setting leader in assists and steals, Paul struggled during his return, averaging 2.9 points in 16 games while the team went 2–14 in their final 16 games with him as the primary playmaker.
Lue addressed the situation after the team’s game in Atlanta, saying, “I just think it wasn’t a good fit for what he was looking for. It is what it is. Do I want to see CP go out like this? No. I have a lot of respect for him. He’s been a friend of mine over the years. You never wanna see a great go out like this. But I’m pretty sure he will find something because he’s a great player. … I didn’t wanna see it end like this.”
Paul originally joined the Clippers in 2011, played six seasons, and after stints with several other teams returned to Los Angeles on a $3,634,153 one-year contract. He plans to retire at the end of the 2025-26 season.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Chris Paul and Los Angeles Clippers Part Ways Midseason After Short Second Stint
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