The ill-fated reunion between Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers ended in shocking fashion earlier in December, with the Clippers sending him home and saying publicly he is no longer with the team.
But there were some players who were concerned about his signing right from the jump.
According to a report from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, “In the release announcing Paul’s signing, Frank said Paul would play a ‘reserve’ role. Multiple sources said Frank described Paul’s role as very limited to multiple players who were concerned about how Paul’s presence might affect their own roles. Over the course of several discussions during the summer, Paul, who started 82 games last season for the San Antonio Spurs, had said he was OK with the outlines of that role, sources said. But he had also stressed that he wanted a chance to compete and that he’d do the best he could to be an extension of the coaching staff.”
Shelburne noted in her report that Paul frustrated some of his teammates and the coaching staff with his suggestions for how the team should train and play. A number of coaches felt Paul was undermining them.
“That’s how Chris is,” an NBA executive told Shelburne. “He wears you out. He’s convinced he’s right—and he often is right, which kind of pisses you off—and he’ll go around to everyone until you agree with him.”
There are also those who feel the Clippers did him dirty with how they handled the breakup, however, sending him home from Atlanta during a road trip. It was an ignominious end for a franchise legend.
“I don’t even like him that much,” a source close to a current Clipper told Shelburne. “But this isn’t a G League guy. This is Chris Paul. There’s ways to do it where he can save a little face.”
For now, Paul technically remains on the team’s roster until he’s traded, waived or agrees to a buyout. But his time with the 6-20 Clippers is over.