Chris Paul’s reunion with the Los Angeles Clippers hasn’t gone according to plan, and according to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the 21-year veteran playmaker won’t get the opportunity to find his footing in LA.
Clippers ‘Parting Ways’ With Chris Paul, Working on ‘Next Step’ of His Legendary NBA Career
Since signing a one-year, $3.6 million contract to return to the Clippers, Paul has struggled to carve out a consistent role in the veteran-laden team’s rotation. As such, few were surprised when he announced late last month that the 2025-26 campaign would be his last.
Paul was expected to finish the season with the same franchise where he enjoyed a highly successful six-year stint from 2011 to 2017 before riding off into the sunset. That all changed early Wednesday morning, though, when LA revealed its alternative plan.
Per Haynes, the Clippers “sent home” the former star midway through their five-game road trip in what was described as a “bizarre severing ties move.”
BREAKING: Los Angeles Clippers are sending home future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul in a bizarre severing ties move, league sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/EgDLXaxdZW
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 3, 2025
The stunning decision was reported shortly after Paul shared the caption, “Just Found Out I’m Being Sent Home,” on his Instagram story.
Chris Paul on Instagram: pic.twitter.com/X3MpJXJnrg
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) December 3, 2025
According to The Athletic’s Law Murray, LA’s president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank, issued a statement explaining the unorthodox move, citing his team’s underwhelming 5-16 start.
“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,” 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.”
While the Clippers opted not to hold Paul accountable for their shortcomings, several league personalities were taken aback by the abrupt choice, including Andscape’s Marc J. Spears.
“Chris Paul, a future Hall of Famer I expected to be the first Clipper to get his jersey retired one day, getting sent home at this stage is one of the most astonishing things I’ve seen covering this league,” Spears tweeted.
Paul ends his second Clippers tenure with modest averages of 2.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 3-pointers per game on 32.1% shooting across 16 appearances. Regardless, the 40-year-old boasts an impressive résumé, highlighted by his 12 All-Star selections and 11 All-NBA nods, having spent his prime years as one of the league’s most iconic floor generals.