Marrakech – What was supposed to be Chris Paul’s farewell tour in the NBA after a lengthy and accomplished career, playing for the team that marked the prime years of his career, has come to an abrupt end.
Amidst a disastrous 5-16 start to the season, the LA Clippers, who are currently on a road trip in Atlanta, announced that Paul “will no longer be with the team” at 3:09 a.m. local time (EST).
In a statement released to Russo Writes, Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, said that the organization is “parting ways with Chris and he will no longer be with the team.”
It is 2:40am in Atlanta and Chris Paul just posted this pic.twitter.com/YZpzPckDql
— Law Murray 🎄 (@LawMurrayTheNU) December 3, 2025
Frank also stated that the organization does not blame Paul for its shortcomings this season.
“Chris is a legendary Clipper who has had a historic career. I want to make one thing very clear. No one is blaming Chris for our underperformance,” Frank said. “I accept responsibility for the record we have right now. There are a lot of reasons why we’ve struggled. We’re grateful for the impact Chris has made on the franchise.”
This move comes as a surprise to NBA fans and community members around the league, including Paul himself, who reacted to his dismissal on Instagram.
Paul, a sure-fire NBA Hall of Famer, had announced on November 22 that the 2025-2026 season, his 21st campaign in the league, would be his last.
The veteran point guard’s first stint with the Clippers started in 2011 after a highly controversial trade from the New Orleans Hornets (now named the Pelicans). In six seasons with the team, Paul led the Los Angeles team to five of its six winningest regular seasons in history, including the team’s franchise record 57-win season in 2013-2014.
Through the team’s entertaining high-flying style, Paul, alongside DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin, headlined the ‘Lob City’ Clippers, widely considered as one of the most iconic NBA teams in recent history.
After moves to the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs, Paul made a largely anticipated comeback to the Clippers on July 22, signing a one-year fully guaranteed $3.6 million contract.
In an emotional introductory press conference, the 2x Olympic gold medalist voiced his wish to retire in a Clippers uniform.
“I wanted to get back and play here by any means necessary,” Paul said.
