NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reacted to the Los Angeles Clippers’ decision to send veteran point guard Chris Paul home during a road trip, calling the move “dismaying” for everyone involved. Silver told reporters on Tuesday, December 16, “I would love to see him finish off the season on another team.”
Paul, 40, was in his 21st and final NBA season and had announced plans to retire after 2025–26. The Clippers officially confirmed the move following a late-night meeting in Atlanta, describing it as a mutual decision not tied to a single incident.
Reports indicate ongoing friction between Paul and head coach Tyronn Lue, with sources claiming the two had not spoken in weeks. Paul averaged just 2.9 points and 3.3 assists over 15 appearances without a start for the Clippers this season.
The move has sparked criticism from former NBA players and analysts. Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade publicly called the Clippers’ handling of Paul “disrespectful,” highlighting the significance of his final season.
Silver confirmed he had spoken with both Paul and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer but said he was not involved in the decision. “Frankly not about this. I probably was in bed when I saw an alert on my phone,” he stated.
With Paul now a free agent, speculation is mounting about his next destination. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Memphis Grizzlies have been cited as potential landing spots for the veteran point guard who has spent 20 seasons shaping the modern NBA point guard role.
The Clippers have not announced a replacement, leaving the team’s roster in flux as they try to navigate a difficult season.
