Nov 29, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) brings the ball up court during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) brings the ball up court during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
NBA legend Chris Paul enjoyed a lucrative 21-year career in the NBA. As a 12x All-Star, 11x All-NBA player, and nine-time defensive star, he’s widely recognized as one of the league’s best modern-day point guards and the greatest Clippers player ever.
So when Paul returned to Los Angeles to spend the final season of his career, he dreamed of an ending befitting a legend. Instead, it was a reunion doomed from the start, as Paul clashed with coaches and players from day one. Eventually, Paul was unceremoniously cut from the team, and he would announce his retirement a few months later. Today, he spoke about that final tenure and explained what it felt like to be exiled from the organization he once proudly called home.
“What’s interesting about that whole situation is, it’s probably one of the most disrespectful things that I’ve endured,” said Paul on the ‘Build or Break’ podcast. “I’ve been through a lot of wild stuff in my career, and having older kids and a wife who’s very tapped in, and they know the daily goings-on as far as that team and that organization. Obviously, I was upset, but my family, my people, everybody… I think just because of the investment we made in the team for as long as we have, and to see the way stuff was handled. What it lets you know is that no matter what you do or what you’ve done, nobody cares. Nobody cares, it’s another learning lesson.”
Whether you love or hate Paul, there’s no denying his status as a Clippers legend. The 41-year-old guard played seven seasons for the team, leading them to multiple playoff appearances alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. For a previously irrelevant franchise, Paul injected life into the team, making them a formidable and respected force in the Western Conference.
During his time leading the franchise, Paul lived up to his ‘Point God’ nickname with averages of 18.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 9.6 assists, 2.1 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game on 47.3% shooting from the field and 37.7% shooting from three. He left the Clippers on relatively good terms in 2017, but all the goodwill was undone in his disastrous 16-game run in 2025-26.
Paul, who has always acted as a leader for his teams, apparently overstepped his authority by trying to change defensive coverages and give unsolicited advice to his fellow players. He frequently challenged the coaches and held teammates accountable when he felt they dropped the ball. Things got so bad toward the end that Paul was no longer on speaking terms with head coach Tyronn Lue, who had become outright enemies with the iconic point guard.
Instead of trying to rectify the situation or negotiate a truce in the locker room, the Clippers cut all ties with Paul in an act to save face and preserve the locker room. Not only did they fail to find any meaningful success, but they also forever ruined their relationship with Paul, who now admits that the Clippers care very little about honoring his legacy.