Lakers’ LeBron James Stays Silent on Chris Paul Clippers Drama originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

When the NBA world found out that Chris Paul planned to retire after the 2025-2026 NBA season, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James sent a message to the future Hall of Famer.

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“I just want him to be as happy as he possibly can,” James told reporters.

“I don’t want him to look back on what he’s done and be like, ‘You know, I was angry or didn’t take full advantage of your last year, things of that nature.’ I know he’s happy being back in LA with his family. Seeing little CP, seeing his daughter, seeing what they are doing, I know that’s pretty special to him. I hope he can just get joy out of this final year.”

At the time, Paul was confidently in the midst of his second stint with the Los Angeles Clippers. He believed he would finish his career with the organization he spent most of his pro career with, having a chance to ride off into the sunset as an NBA Champion for the first time.

Since it became clear that Paul was on his last rodeo, everything has gone downhill. The Clippers are struggling and have decided they no longer need his services. He’s still on the roster, but Chris Paul is not expected to get a chance to suit up for the team for the remainder of the season.

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LeBron James Declines to Comment

Seeing as though James has been in the NBA with Paul “forever,” as he put it before, reporters wondered about LeBron’s thoughts on the situation between the Clippers and the future legend.

But LeBron wasn’t giving anything.

“I haven’t talked to him,” James told reporters after the Lakers came up short against the Clippers. “Not for me to comment on, to be honest. It’s none of my business.”

Many former and current players have spoken out in defense of Chris Paul. There has been a popular sentiment suggesting that the Clippers were certainly wrong in cutting ties with a franchise legend so suddenly after he announced this would be his final run in the league.

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LeBron James wasn’t going to take a side. Instead, the Lakers’ star has his sights set on his team’s next game, which takes place on the road in Arizona after a 103-88 loss against the Clippers.

As for Paul, his next move is unclear. The Clippers haven’t released him. For the time being, he’ll be a trade candidate. If the star guard isn’t included in any packages before the February deadline, he could end up a free agent.

Before getting sent home, Paul appeared in 16 games off the bench for LAC. He shot 32 percent from the field and 33 percent from three, averaging 2.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.