Chris Paul’s return to the Los Angeles Clippers last summer was expected to be a fitting final chapter for the veteran guard, allowing him to finish his NBA career with the team where he enjoyed some of his best years. Instead, the reunion quickly turned sour. The Clippers struggled badly to begin the season, while Paul reportedly found himself at odds with coaches and management over what they viewed as his “disruptive” leadership approach. Paul later described the way the Clippers handled his final season as one of the most disrespectful experiences of his career.
The situation became even more contentious after the Clippers were punished by the NBA in connection with its investigation into Kawhi Leonard’s salary-cap situation. Paul, who had played a major role in the team’s rise during his time in Los Angeles, did not hold back when discussing how everything unfolded.
Chris Paul Calls Out Clippers Over Final Season
At 40, Chris Paul’s return to the Los Angeles Clippers was always expected to be a farewell chapter, but his departure came far sooner and in a manner he clearly did not anticipate. After choosing to return to the franchise where he enjoyed the most successful stretch of his career, Paul was unexpectedly removed from the team following just 16 appearances. Reflecting on how the situation unfolded, the veteran guard said, “What’s interesting about that whole situation is, it’s probably one of the most disrespectful things that I’ve endured,” on the “Build or Break” podcast.
Paul admitted that the fallout affected more than just him, with his family also closely following what was happening inside the organization. “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…”, he explained. He was particularly frustrated by how the Clippers handled his departure after years of commitment to the franchise.
Paul also questioned whether his contributions ultimately meant anything to the organization. “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.” The abrupt split shocked fans who had expected Paul to receive a more fitting send-off, although he initially chose not to publicly criticize the franchise in detail.
Chris Paul’s Clippers Legacy Overshadowed by Bitter Final Chapter
The decision was especially difficult to accept given Paul’s impact during the Clippers’ “Lob City” era. During his main stint in Los Angeles, he made five All-Star teams, earned five All-NBA selections and was named to six All-Defensive First Teams. He helped turn the Clippers into a consistent contender after years of living in the shadow of the Lakers, and the team recorded at least 50 wins in five consecutive seasons before trading him to Houston in 2017. Paul remains the franchise’s all-time leader in assists with 4,076 and ranks seventh in scoring with 7,721 points.
His final Clippers stint, however, never reached the level of his first run. After appearing in only 16 games, Paul was told the team would “part ways” with him in December and was subsequently sent home. He remained away from the court until being traded to Toronto in February, where he was waived eight days later without playing a game. Paul announced his retirement the same day, bringing his NBA career to an end. Given his standing in Clippers history, the way his final season unfolded left the veteran with a bitter ending to an otherwise remarkable chapter in Los Angeles.
