A shocking Los Angeles Clippers announcement on Wednesday has drawn the ire of NBA fans, analysts, and former players, as the team chose to part ways with All-Star guard Chris Paul amid his final season.
Paul revealed several weeks ago that he would officially retire at the end of the season, meaning he would retire with the team with which he had his most significant NBA runs. However, the Clippers officially waived the future Hall of Fame guard on Wednesday.
The 12-time All-Star signed a one-year $3.6 million deal to play for the Clippers in July, as he participated in his 21st year in the league. It was also a return to the team he played for from 2011 to 2017. However, it ended with the team’s surprising news that they were parting ways with CP3.
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That brought many individuals to react to the news, including Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, and three-time NBA champion Danny Green.
Green, now working as an analyst on ESPN’s “NBA Today,” criticized the Clippers’ handling of the move with Paul amid his final NBA season.
“I’m a bit confused. More than a bit, I just don’t understand. You couldn’t have a conversation? Everybody knows who Chris Paul is. He’s one of the most decorated- one of the best point guards in the history of our game, and you send him home like he’s a child. It’s kinda crazy to me,” Green said.
“You knew who he was. You knew how he acted. You know what he brings to the table, so for you to treat him this way is very bad on the Clippers organization. I hope for Chris’s sake, it’s not worse, but I hope for the Clippers organization that there’s something more than him being a distraction in the locker room where you can’t have a conversation,” the three-time NBA champion said.
Green said there didn’t appear to be enough to send a “20-year veteran” home in his retirement year, and it was “bad look for the Clippers organization” not to have better communication about any issues.
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An ESPN report from Ohm Youngmisuk earlier today indicated that Paul wasn’t on speaking terms with Clippers coach Ty Lue. According to the report, Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said the decision didn’t occur due to an isolated incident and came after multiple conversations, during which they informed Paul he wouldn’t be part of the team anymore.
The report also indicated, per Shams Charania’s sources, that the Clippers felt Paul’s vocal style of holding players, coaches, and management accountable had become disruptive.
The surprising news arrived as the Clippers struggled in the first quarter of the NBA season. Their 5-16 record tied them for the worst record in the Pacific Division with the Sacramento Kings, despite having former league MVP James Harden and two-time champion Kawhi Leonard on their roster.
Paul played 15 minutes in Monday’s 140-123 loss to the Miami Heat, scoring eight points and dishing out three assists. His averages declined severely since joining the Clippers, averaging just 2.9 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 rebounds in 16 games.
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