There is one silver lining to the abrupt end to Chris Paul’s brief return to the Los Angeles Clippers. He’ll finally get to watch his son play in a basketball game this week.
Watching his family enjoy the game, Paul revealed to People in a new interview, is why he’s ‘at peace’ with the Clippers’ stunning decision to send the 12-time All-Star home from the team in the middle of the night during a road trip in Atlanta. But the 40-year-old point guard is taking a wait-and-see approach in regards to potentially resuming what had previously been announced as his final NBA season.
‘Stuff’s been a little crazy in the past few days – to say the least,’ Paul said in a story published on Tuesday, Dec. 9. ‘But honestly, I’m home. My daughter had tryouts yesterday. My nephew had a basketball game. My son has a game coming up on (Dec. 12).
‘I have never seen my son play a game in person,’ he added. ‘Not a middle school game, not a high school game. So I’m excited about seeing him play.’
What Chris Paul said about Clippers drama
Paul signed with the Clippers this offseason after indicating he wanted to play the 2025-26 season in Los Angeles to be close to his family for the first time since he was initially traded away from the franchise in 2017. He then announced last month he planned to retire after this NBA season.
But Paul wound up making his final appearance for the Clippers on Dec. 1. His return lasted just 16 games and he was averaging career lows in minutes, points and assists while shooting a career-worst 32.1% from the field this season.
‘I don’t regret anything,” Paul said. “I was in Atlanta with a whole bunch of family. It was my last time gonna be playing there. That’s life. The whole thing took on a life of its own, you know? But I’m excited to be back here with my family.’
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue subsequently told reporters Paul ‘wasn’t a good fit’ after multiple reports emerged detailing how Paul’s leadership style clashed with both Lue and other players in the Los Angeles locker room. But Clippers star James Harden expressed confusion and surprise at the separation between Paul and the team, while Kawhi Leonard called the front office’s move ‘shocking.’
What’s next for Chris Paul, Clippers?
The Clippers (6-18) have been perhaps the NBA’s most disappointing team this season compared to preseason expectations, though the franchise noted in its decision to part ways with Paul that it did not blame him for those struggles. The team has yet to waive, trade or buy out Paul’s 1-year, $3.6-million contract.
Clippers General Manager Lawrence Frank said in a statement the team would ‘work with (Paul) on the next step of his career.’ If released by the Clippers, Paul wouldn’t be eligible to sign with another team until Dec. 15.
‘I’m actually at peace with everything,’ Paul said in regards to his immediate future. ‘More than anything, I’m excited about being around and getting a chance to play a small role in whatever anything looks like next.’