Chris Paul’s Clippers Exit Raises Quiet Questions About What’s Next

The Los Angeles Clippers officially parted ways with Chris Paul on Wednesday, ending his second stint with the franchise in the middle of what is expected to be the final season of his Hall of Fame career. 

 

Paul revealed the decision himself overnight on social media while the team was in Atlanta, posting that he had been sent home following yet another blowout loss.

President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank later confirmed the move, and offered more on the Paul situation amid the Clippers’ 5–16 collapse.

The 12-time All-Star previously signaled this would be the final season of his Hall of Fame career.

“We are parting ways with Chris and he will no longer be with the team,” Frank said in a statement. “No one is blaming Chris for our underperformance. I accept responsibility for the record we have right now.”

Paul, now 40 and in his 21st NBA season, had already fallen out of the regular rotation. He averaged just 2.6 points and 3.3 assists in limited minutes, both career lows. With his contract not trade-eligible until Dec. 15 and his role shrinking rapidly, the next phase of his career now sits in real doubt.

Paul Leaves Clippers With Bizarre Timing

Paul returned to the Clippers last summer searching for one final dance. He signed a one-year deal. He reunited with familiar faces. He leaned into the idea that this would be a proper ending.

Instead, he played 14 minutes a night. The Clippers phased him out of the rotation completely by mid-November. He logged five straight DNP-CDs before briefly reappearing.

Sources told the Los Angeles Times that Paul had called out players, coaches, and front-office figures directly. He later apologized. By then, the room had already moved past reconciliation.

The Clippers will list Paul as “out — not with team” indefinitely while they weigh next steps. 

He is not trade-eligible until December 15. Waiving him outright creates additional cap complications. For now, the franchise waits. So does Paul.

What Comes After “Point God” — If Anything

Paul’s resume does not require defending. Twelve All-Star selections. Eleven All-NBA nods. Nine All-Defensive teams. Two Olympic gold medals. Second all-time in assists behind John Stockton. The first player in NBA history to log both 20,000 points and 10,000 assists.

He built the most successful era in Clippers history during the Lob City run with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. He returned to the franchise to close the circle.

Instead, the ending arrived early and sideways.

Now comes the complicated part.

Sources close to the situation told the Times it is “unlikely” Paul lands with another team this season. His voice still carries enormous weight in locker rooms. At age 40, his minutes no longer protect him from conflict when structure unravels. Teams chasing late-season stability rarely invite disruptive gravity — even from future Hall of Famers.

“He’s not the player he used to be,” one league source said.

The Clippers, meanwhile, keep unraveling. Kawhi Leonard has appeared in 11 games. Bradley Beal already suffered season-ending hip surgery. The team owns a five-game losing streak and sits near the bottom of the West.

The franchise also owns a history of quiet exits: Eric Bledsoe in 2022. John Wall in 2023. Russell Westbrook shipped out in 2024. PJ Tucker sent home before being moved. Now Paul joins Blake Griffin as the latest Clipper fav to depart in the midst of a season.

He may not wear another uniform.

For now, though, it may be too soon to know what’s next as the dust continues to settle.

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