Los Angeles Clippers Chris Paul Dallas Mavericks
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As the deadline approaches, the Mavericks quietly emerge as a potential Chris Paul suitor ahead of his uncertain future.
The retirement of Chris Paul has made for a big NBA story to see a top ten all-time point guard calling it quits in such a strange fashion. Paul was sent home by the Los Angeles Clippers after reportedly butting heads with the coaching staff and front office staff. A trade to the Toronto Raptors came after months at home, but Toronto waived him to warrant the official retirement announcement.
Paul appeared on Carmelo Anthony’s 7PM in Brooklyn podcast and shared a surprising part of the Clippers departure. Anthony and his co-host mentioned that the Clippers would look ridiculous if they didn’t eventually retire Paul’s jersey as arguably the greatest player in franchise history. Paul replied that General Manager Lawrence Frank talked about that in the meeting that led to him leaving the team.
Frank promised Paul that his jersey would get retired for his contributions to the franchise, but the current situation had to end. Paul apparently reached the point of no return with the franchise after alleged negative interactions with head coach Ty Lue and assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy. Frank did the dirty work of meeting Paul and telling him the team doesn’t want him around anymore.
Ty Lue Refused Chris Paul Meeting
The story about Paul being told he’d eventually get his jersey retired ended with him trying to get a meeting with Lue. Paul shared with Anthony and the podcast audience that he was trying to get a direct conversation with Lue to figure out the problem and find an ideal way to remain with the team to finish his retirement season.
The humorous story featured Paul sharing how quickly he got shut down about the meeting:
“Before I left the room, I asked him. I was like, so L Frank, you said you were going to get me a meeting with T Lue, right? He said, I’m sorry, I couldn’t do that. Go home.”
Lue felt the situation couldn’t be salvaged and likely made his voice heard within the organization. The early reactions to the story saw analysts blaming Frank for disrespecting Paul, but this indicates Lue had the bigger issue if he didn’t even want to speak with the veteran point guard.
When Will Clippers Retire Chris Paul’s Jersey?
The Clippers would not have made this promise to Paul if they didn’t truly intend to honor him with a jersey retirement. Few players have become franchise greats with the Clippers, but Paul helped turn the franchise around for the better.
Most of today’s fans would name Paul, Blake Griffin and Kawhi Leonard as the greatest Clippers since all three played a role in the franchise improving for the better. Paul will have a special night honoring his time as an all-time great Clipper, but it clearly isn’t coming this season.
Next year may be a bit too soon with the same coaching staff and most of the same roster around. The best bet is for Paul to get honored in another two or three years after some time has passed. Regardless of the timing, it will be a special night for Clippers and Paul.