Chris Paul’s return stint with the Los Angeles Clippers has come to an abrupt and stunning end, with the franchise parting ways with one of its greatest players in a late-night meeting on Wednesday that adds another layer of drama to the team’s terrible start this season.
The news was delivered in a meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, that ended at about 2am, Clippers basketball operations president Lawrence Frank said.
Frank said he made the decision to sever ties with Paul on Sunday then told the franchise’s career assist leader that he needed to see him on Tuesday in Atlanta.
Photo: AFP
Frank did not confirm speculation that Paul and Clippers coach Tyronn Lue have been clashing or not speaking to one another, saying that the decision had multiple layers.
Frank also insisted that Lue is safe in his role, despite the Clippers’ dismal start to this season.
They improved to 6-16 with a 115-92 win over the Hawks on Wednesday.
“This decision had nothing to do with one incident, one meeting that did or did not happen,” Frank said in a video conference with reporters. “Some of our business, respectfully, I have to keep in house, but this didn’t come down to one incident or one meeting. It just wasn’t the right fit.”
Paul made the announcement on social media shortly before 3am on Wednesday, posting “Just Found Out I’m Being Sent Home” and adding a peace emoji.
Clippers star James Harden said he learned of the news when he woke up on Wednesday.
His reaction was “definitely surprised,” he said.
“Not just Chris, it’s a lot that we’re dealing with,” Harden said. “So, that right there is out of my hands.”
“Because of the nature of the conversation it was a long, long, long, long, long, long meeting,” Frank said.
The 40-year-old Paul is playing his 21st NBA season and he strongly hinted last month that it would be his last.
The 12-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist has earned four All-NBA first-team selections and he ranks second in NBA history with 12,552 assists. He was the first player to score at least 20,000 points while recording at least 10,000 assists; LeBron James and Russell Westbrook have both since done that as well.
“I don’t think it will necessarily help our team,” Lue said before the game in Atlanta. “I don’t think the reason why we’re 5-16 is because of C.P. I just think that it wasn’t a good fit for what he was looking for.”
“Do I want to see people go out like this? No, I have a lot of respect for him,” Lue added. “He’s been a friend of mine over the years, and you don’t want to see a great go out like this, but I’m pretty sure he will find something, because he’s a great player.”
On the court, Harden and Kawhi Leonard combined to score 48 points to help visiting Los Angeles end their five-game losing streak with a victory over Atlanta.
Harden scored 27 points, including five three-pointers, with nine assists, four rebounds and three steals.
Leonard scored 21 points with six rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Ivica Zubac scored 14 points and added 17 rebounds for his 14th double-double of the season.
The Hawks were led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 21 points and Dyson Daniels with 15 points.
Additional reporting by Reuters
Elsewhere on Wednesday, it was:
‧ Pacers 120, Nuggets 135
‧ Cavaliers 110, Trail Blazers 122
‧ Bulls 103, Nets 113
‧ Knicks 119, Hornets 104
‧ Bucks 113, Pistons 109
‧ Magic 112, Spurs 114
‧ Rockets 121, Kings 95
‧ Mavericks 118, Heat 108
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