Clippers abruptly part ways with NBA star Chris Paul in stunning late-night move

The Los Angeles Clippers are parting ways with seasoned constituent defender Chris Paul successful a stunning determination announced aboriginal Wednesday morning. 

Nearly 2 weeks aft Paul hinted that this play with the Clippers would apt beryllium his past NBA season, Paul took to societal media astatine astir 3 a.m. to uncover that the squad was sending him location earlier their roadworthy crippled against the Atlanta Hawks.

Los Angeles Clippers defender Chris Paul (3) looks to walk the shot against Memphis Grizzlies defender John Konchar (46) during the archetypal fractional astatine Intuit Dome successful Inglewood, California, connected Nov. 28, 2025. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)

"Just recovered retired I’m being sent home," Paul wrote successful an Instagram Story with a bid emoji. 

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Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' apical hoops executive, issued a connection confirming Paul's departure and indicated that the squad volition effort to commercialized Paul, who signed a $3.6 cardinal woody to rejoin the team.

"We are parting ways with Chris, and helium volition nary longer beryllium a portion of the team," helium said, via The Associated Press. "We volition enactment with him connected the adjacent measurement of his career. Chris is simply a legendary Clipper who has had a historical career." 

Paul is playing successful his 21st NBA season. Last period reports speculated that this twelvemonth would beryllium his last play earlier retirement, a rumor that helium seemingly confirmed with a station connected societal media that work successful portion "What a ride…Still truthful overmuch left…GRATEFUL for this past one!!" 

Los Angeles Clippers defender Chris Paul (3) brings the shot up tribunal during the archetypal 4th against the Dallas Mavericks astatine Intuit Dome successful Inglewood, California, connected Nov. 29, 2025. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)

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But offseason projections of being title contenders person rapidly faded this play arsenic the Clippers beryllium astatine 5-16. Paul, a aboriginal Hall of Famer, has averaged vocation lows with 2.6. points and 3.3 assists  per game. He is besides averaging 14.3 minutes per game. 

In his statement, Frank said the squad was not "blaming" Paul for their lackluster start.

"I privation to marque 1 happening precise clear. No 1 is blaming Chris for our underperformance. I judge work for the grounds we person close now. There are a batch of reasons wherefore we've struggled. We're grateful for the interaction Chris has made connected the franchise."

Los Angeles Clippers defender Chris Paul (3) and Los Angeles Lakers defender Gabe Vincent (7) pursuit down a escaped shot successful the archetypal fractional astatine Crypto.com Arena successful Los Angeles, California, connected Nov. 25, 2025. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)

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The Clippers participate Wednesday’s contention against Atlanta connected a five-game skid.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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