Chris Paul is currently away from the Clippers after the team announced Wednesday that it would be “parting ways” with the 40-year-old guard. The move was surprising, given that Paul had only recently stated that 2025/26 would be his final NBA season.
On Amazon Prime Video Friday (Twitter video link), Chris Haynes outlined what he described as a tense and complicated exit.
“The Clippers maintain that there were a series of events and conversations between the front office and Chris Paul over the last few months that ultimately led to his departure,” Haynes said. “The front office believed they had intel that Chris Paul was criticizing the coaching staff, front office and players … And there was a meeting about a month ago between (president of basketball operations) Lawrence Frank and Chris Paul where Frank addressed this issue again. Chris Paul vehemently denied those accusations. But ultimately Chris Paul elected to apologize to his teammates … if his words or actions were misconstrued.
“(Paul) asked Frank … to set up a meeting between (Paul) and (head coach) Tyronn Lue – those two haven’t spoken in weeks. Frank said he would get to that – it never happened. Sources said Lue refused to meet with Chris Paul.”
Marc J. Spears of Andscape reported Thursday that Paul still hoped to keep playing this season, and Paul reiterated that in a text message to Haynes.
“I’m just staying ready. I’m hooping right now. I don’t (know) what’s next. I’m still scarred by it all. Still processing everything. But I’m staying ready.”
Clippers Notes: Paul, Bogdanovic, Leonard, More https://t.co/YgiKhko07T pic.twitter.com/yk9tKlFQ3y
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) December 6, 2025
