LA Clippers release veteran guard Chris Paul amid disappointing start to season

The Los Angeles Clippers have stumbled out of the gate in the 2025–26 NBA season, opening with a disappointing 6–16 record that places them 13th in the Western Conference standings.

In an effort to spark a turnaround, the Clippers made a stunning roster move on Thursday (December 4, Philippine time), announcing via social media that they had released veteran guard Chris Paul ahead of their matchup against the Atlanta Hawks.

Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank later confirmed the move in a statement to ESPN.

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“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. Chris is a legendary Clipper who has had a historic career,” Frank said. “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 are grateful for the impact Chris has made on the franchise.”

To officially move on from Paul, the Clippers would need to waive him and pay out his $3.6 million salary, negotiate a buyout, or pursue a trade—a route unavailable until December 15.

Breaking: The Clippers are parting ways with Chris Paul, the team announced.

The team will work with him on the next step of his career. pic.twitter.com/sYOaWT2nWd

— ESPN (@espn) December 3, 2025

Head coach Ty Lue also addressed Paul’s departure. While stressing that the veteran was not at fault for the team’s struggles, Lue admitted that the fit simply wasn’t right.

“I don’t think CP is the reason we’re 5–16,” Lue said. “It just wasn’t a good fit for what he was looking for. Do I want to see CP go out like this? No. I have a lot of respect for him—he’s been a friend of mine for years—and you don’t want to see a great go out like this. But I’m pretty sure he’ll find something because he’s a great player. I didn’t want to see it end like this.”

Paul returned to the Clippers in July for his 21st NBA season, signing a one-year, $3.6 million deal. He remains the franchise’s all-time leader in assists (4,023) and steals.

This season, the 40-year-old appeared in 16 games, averaging 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in 14.3 minutes per contest, primarily as a reserve.

Paul is widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. He ranks second all-time in both assists (12,552) and steals (2,728), trailing only John Stockton in each category.

The fourth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, Paul has suited up for the New Orleans Hornets, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and San Antonio Spurs in addition to his two stints with the Clippers. Despite numerous deep playoff runs, an NBA championship remains the one accolade missing from his résumé.

Across his storied career, Paul has earned a long list of honors, including the 2006 Rookie of the Year award, 2013 All-Star Game MVP, 12 All-Star selections, four All-NBA First Team nods, seven NBA All-Defensive First Team selections, and multiple league assists and steals titles.

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