Chris Paul reuniting with the LA Clippers has been years in the making, even though neither side knew it was coming.
After an exciting summer, the LA Clippers made yet another brilliant move. The franchise has done a lot of work to rebuild its roster this offseason.
In what could be the final piece to the puzzle, the Clippers signed Chris Paul in free agency, reuniting with their former All-Star guard eight years after he first left.
Paul’s return excited people so much that Clippers fans petitioned to have Blake Griffin return for one last ride as Lob City.
Not everyone is as enthusiastic over the signing. Kendrick Perkins slammed the Clippers for their aging roster, calling them the NBA’s nursing home.
However, Paul had to sacrifice playing time to return to the Clippers, showing how much he wanted to make this happen. And as it turns out, his departure in 2017 inadvertently set up the team for his return.
Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty ImagesChris Paul leaving in 2017 unintentionally set up his eventual 2025 return
LA Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank spoke about the return of Chris Paul. When talking about the reunion, Frank looked back at his 2017 exit.
In 2017, when Paul joined the Houston Rockets, he did it via a sign-and-trade, which gave the Clippers several assets that they flipped into the roster they have today.
“When he decided to go to Houston [in 2017], Chris helped us in the sense of turning it into a sign-and-trade, and it really helped us transition…
“Chris had a great history with us, great six years with us. being an All-Star each year, All-NBA five of those six years, and making the playoffs each of those years.
“The ability to get the return we got from Houston helped us get to the transition we’re at now.”
I asked Lawrence Frank today about Steve Ballmer’s relationship with Chris Paul and if that played a factor in Paul’s return to Los Angeles where he had spent six seasons.
Lawrence Frank’s full comments (with subtitles): pic.twitter.com/rSQp1JufqX
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) July 22, 2025
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LA Clippers have a stacked roster to compete for an NBA championship
For the first time since 2021, it feels like the LA Clippers have a championship-level roster. Their All-Star trio of James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George failed to deliver the goods.
But surrounding Harden and Leonard, the two stars remaining on the team, with solid role players, might be the key to helping them compete.
The arrival of John Collins to the Clippers could be the game-changer. He provides them with an element of defense that they sorely needed.
If Kawhi and Harden can be healthy next season, and the rest of their roster plays to their potential, then the Clippers can make some real noise in the Western Conference.