NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith unleashed one of his sharpest rants of the season after the Los Angeles Clippers parted ways with Chris Paul, and he didn’t waste a single second aiming directly at the franchise.
On First Take, Smith blasted the Clippers for how they handled a future Hall of Famer in what is likely the final year of his career, calling the organization “a mess” and questioning whether the team has any real leadership left. His frustration centered on one thing: the Clippers didn’t just lose Chris Paul, they mishandled him.
“How the hell do you do this to Chris Paul?” Stephen A. Smith argued. “Now, this is a future Hall of Famer who came there for the last year in his career. I don’t give a damn what’s going on with the team. They’re trash right now. We understand that.”
MORE: Dwyane Wade wants radical NBA All-Star Game change
He added, “They have the worst superstar in the sport, Kawhi Leonard, who is a talent when healthy, no doubt, but does nothing to promote his team, nor the game of basketball. The absolute worst superstar that you could possibly have. And from what I’ve been told, the only person who really talks to him in CP3 is because nobody else talks to him. Okay, just leave him alone. That organization right now is a mess. It’s a mess.”
Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers jogs off the court during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Intuit Dome on November 29, 2025, in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Chris Paul’s situation with the Clippers blew up in real time. Early in the day, Paul revealed on social media that he had been sent home in the middle of the team’s road trip, saying he had “just found out” the Clippers no longer wanted him with the group. That immediately sparked confusion around the league, and minutes later, the Clippers confirmed it.
The Los Angeles Clippers president, Lawrence Frank, announced that Paul is no longer part of the active roster, effectively ending his return stint with the franchise. The decision blindsided both fans and players because Paul had signed a one-year deal specifically to finish his career in Los Angeles. Instead, the Clippers cut ties abruptly, telling him to step away while they “discuss next steps.”
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
NFL: Fantasy football waiver wire steals for Week 14
CFB: Lane Kiffin, LSU football contract & salary details revealed
MLB: New York Yankees lose $51 million free agent to Mets
NBA: Paul Pierce makes bold Michael Jordan claim about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SPORTS MEDIA: Skip Bayless eviscerates Aaron Rodgers after Steelers’ Week 13 loss
VIRAL: Platinum-selling rapper Toosii commits to Syracuse football team