The 2025-26 campaign certainly wasn’t kind to the Los Angeles Clippers, who lost 15 of their first 20 games. When Chris Paul reportedly clashed with the coaching staff, the Clippers sent the future Hall of Famer home during his planned farewell season, and the Toronto Raptors traded for the Point God in February.
Paul never suited up for the Raptors and announced his retirement on February 13, shortly after the Clippers traded him, marking an unceremonious end to a stellar career. He played a mere 16 games in his swansong campaign and did not get a proper farewell on the basketball court.
But the basketball gods never forget anything. And it looks like the Clippers are getting their just desserts, at least in the eyes of Paul and his fans.
NBA Hammers Clippers in Cap Saga After Chris Paul Treatment
The Clippers received a harsh penalty from the NBA on September 2 after the league found that they had circumvented the salary cap through improper endorsement arrangements and personal-expense payments involving Kawhi Leonard and his representatives.
The team will forfeit five first-round picks, one each year from 2029 through 2033, and the franchise must pay a $30 million fine.
Moreover, the NBA suspended Ballmer from all league and team activities for one year; suspended president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank without pay for six months; and president of business operations Gillian Zucker without pay for one year.
Paul said in an interview that he felt as though the Clippers’ decision to send him home early last season was one of the most ‘disrespectful’ things he had endured in his 21-season career.
“What’s interesting about that whole situation is, it’s probably one of the most disrespectful things that I’ve endured,” Paul told Daniel Lubetzky in an appearance on the “Build or Break” podcast.
“Obviously I was upset… I think just because of the investment we made in the team for as long as we have, and to see the way stuff was handled. What it lets you know is that no matter what you do or what you’ve done, nobody cares.”
Chris Paul on the Clippers cutting him during his retirement season:
“What’s interesting about that whole situation is, it’s probably one of the most disrespectful things that I’ve endured… I’ve been through a lot of wild stuff in my career, and having older kids and a wife… pic.twitter.com/yh3ioB38si
— NBARetweet (@RTNBA) September 4, 2026
Some fans see the NBA’s punishment as the basketball gods’ way of looking out for Paul after the Clippers sent him home during his final NBA season
“Looks like karma took care of it on your behalf, legend,” a fan pointed out.
“Let’s not forget how the Clippers treated Chris Paul alongside their blatant lying and cheating,” another fan called out.
Let’s not forget how the Clippers treated Chris Paul alongside their blatant lying and cheating https://t.co/apq7OfTupv
— Ty Jäger (@TheTyJager) September 4, 2026
The loss of five first-round picks could hamper the Clippers’ rebuilding efforts, and some fans believe that the punishment is payback for the team’s treatment of Paul
“And look at the Clippers now. Karma is a [expletive]. The Basketball Gods have spoken,” one X user declared.
“Don’t worry, goat; they won’t be relevant till lil Chris’s kids are playing HS hoops. It’s over,” another fan noted.
Don’t worry goat they won’t be relevant till lil Chris kids is playing HS hoops. It’s over https://t.co/dbRJbcikXR
— biggz cares if don’t nobody else care. (@Biggz_91) September 4, 2026
The Clippers essentially became a laughingstock on social media, and this cap circumvention they’ve been found guilty of has only destroyed their reputation in the eyes of fans even further.
“I’m just glad the Clippers are gonna remain [expletive] pretty much forever, trash organization!!! [Expletive] them!!!!!! They need to get kicked out of the state and relocated elsewhere!!!” one fan expressed.
“The Chris Paul situation sums up the organization in a nutshell. From my perspective as a longtime fan, how they handled the player who took us the furthest as an organization foreshadowed the karma they are now suffering. What do they say, you reap what you sow,” another fan said.
The Chris Paul situation sums up the organization in a nutshell. From my perspective as a longtime fan, how they handled the player who took us the furthest as an organization foreshadowed the karma they are now suffering. What do they say,” you reap what you sow”
— BCdoGOOD (@BCdoGOOD) September 4, 2026
At the end of the day, some fans believe Paul has the last laugh over the Clippers.
Paul spent seven seasons in LA, averaging 18.2 points and 9.6 assists in 425 career games (409 starts). During his time with the Clippers, they won 24 playoff games. Before Paul joined the Clippers for the 2011-12 season, the franchise had won 20 playoff games, including its years as the Buffalo Braves.
