When Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers agreed to a deal prior to the season, it was supposed to be a wonderful reunion between the Clippers and arguably the best player in franchise history.
Instead, it was a complete disaster.
Paul and the Clippers parted ways after Paul was sent home during an East Coast road trip back in early December, and he has not been with the team since.
Now, Paul has finally found a home.
Chris Paul Dealt to Raptors in 3-Team Trade
According to ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania, Paul has been dealt to the Toronto Raptors.
“The Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors have agreed on a multi-team trade sending Chris Paul to the Raptors and Ochai Agbaji, a 2032 Raptors second-rounder and cash to the Nets, sources tell ESPN,” reports Charania.
The Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors have agreed on a multi-team trade sending Chris Paul to the Raptors and Ochai Agbaji, a 2032 Raptors second-rounder and cash to the Nets, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2026
Paul appeared in just 16 games for the Clippers, averaging 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in 14.3 minutes per game. When Paul was initially sent home, the Clippers didn’t blame him for anything that went down, at least not publicly.
“We are parting ways with Chris, and he will no longer be with the team. We will work with him on the next step of his career,” LA’s president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank, said. “Chris is a legendary Clipper who has had a historic career.”
“I want to make one thing very clear. No one is blaming Chris for our underperformance. I accept responsibility for the record we have right now. There are a lot of reasons why we’ve struggled. We’re grateful for the impact Chris has made on the franchise.”
Of course, reading between the lines, it’s obvious that Paul’s attitude played a major role in the Clippers’ decision, and they have had great success since then, turning their disastrous 6-21 start into their current 23-26 record. They have won 17 of their last 22 games and are currently ninth in the Western Conference, which would give them a spot in the play-in if the season ended today.
The Clippers also dealt James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a deal that brought back Darius Garland on Tuesday night, so it will be interesting to see if the Clippers continue to trend in a positive direction.
This could be a win-win for both Toronto and Los Angeles as the Clippers get out of the one-year, $3.6 million deal Paul signed prior to the season, and the Raptors have found a veteran point guard to guide them through the stretch run.
The Raptors have been one of the league’s surprises. They currently have a 30-21 record, tied for fourth in the East with the Cavs.
The Raptors have also been linked to big names like Sacramento Kings’ center Domantas Sabonis, so with less than 24 hours left before the NBA trade deadline, it will be interesting to see if the Raptors can get another deal done.
