The Los Angeles Clippers are off to one of the worst starts in the NBA this season, but fans at least had the Chris Paul retirement tour to look forward to. That is no longer the case, as Paul was released in a shocking turn of events. Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank made it clear that the situation simply didn’t work out.
“This is not a situation where I'm using Chris as a scapegoat for the job that I've done. Chris' legacy with us stands. This situation just didn't work out at this time,” Frank said.
Even though Paul was let go, he could still join another team with an opportunity. His career isn’t over yet, and he may even end up in a better situation.
“You can only wonder what transpired behind the scenes for the Clippers to make a decision in the middle of the night to send Paul back to LA while the team is in Atlanta to play the Hawks. With this release, Paul at least has a chance to finish his career in a better situation... That is if another team comes calling,” USA Today’s Prince J. Grimes wrote.
However, a report from NBA insider Chris Haynes revealed that weeks earlier, Paul attempted to address allegations that he was a negative presence in the locker room, but head coach Tyronn Lue refused to meet with the veteran.
“Weeks ago Chris Paul requested to have a meeting with Tyronn Lue to discuss allegations of being a negative presence on team. Lue refused to meet with him. Lawrence Frank traveled to Atlanta to deliver news of parting ways. Paul desired final season to be with Clippers,” Haynes posted.
Paul has long been known as a winner who holds his teammates accountable, but at the professional level that can also create frustration. There’s no doubt he is a leader, but it’s clear there was some level of pettiness involved when Lue declined to address the issue with him.
This situation has turned bizarre—and even messy—as the Clippers continue their downward spiral. Now the question becomes whether Paul will receive his retirement tour with another team, or if his playing days are officially over.