Chris Paul was not on speaking terms with LA Clippers coach Ty Lue for several weeks before his stunning ouster from the team, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Paul and his leadership style clashed with Lue and the Clippers, according to sources, who told Charania that the 12-time All-Star was vocal in holding management, coaches and players accountable.
The Clippers felt that Paul’s style had become disruptive, sources told Charania.
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank was scheduled to address reporters Wednesday afternoon. It was unclear whether Lue also would be in attendance for the media session.
Paul, one of the greatest players in Clippers franchise history, posted early Wednesday morning on social media that he learned he was being sent home to Los Angeles from Atlanta, where the Clippers play the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
Shortly afterward, Frank texted a statement to ESPN confirming that Paul is no longer on the team. Frank did not mention anything about Paul’s leadership style or relationship with Lue, saying that “no one is blaming Chris for our underperformance” and adding that “there are a lot of reasons why we’ve struggled.”
Paul, 40, had rejoined the Clippers in late July on a one-year deal in what was a chance to return home and finish his career with the franchise he spent six seasons with, from 2011 to 2017. Sources told Charania last month that Paul is retiring at the end of this season, his 21st year in the NBA.
Paul is the Clippers’ franchise leader in total assists and steals per game. After he started 1,314 of 1,354 career games, including all 82 games last season for the San Antonio Spurs, Paul’s role was to come off the bench with the Clippers, understanding he might not play every night. He had played in 16 games, averaging 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in 14.3 minutes.
ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk contributed to this report.
