LA Clippers make headlines: Chris Paul waived amid unexpected retirement tour
In a stunning late-night announcement, the LA Clippers have waived franchise icon Chris Paul, sending shockwaves through the NBA community. The news unfolded dramatically, beginning with a heartfelt Instagram post from the 40-year-old point guard that revealed his unexpected status. “Just found out I’m being sent home,” Paul wrote, encapsulating the surprise of the moment.
The Clippers swiftly issued a statement, clarifying their decision. “We are parting ways with Chris, and he will no longer be with the team. I want to make one thing very clear: no one is blaming Chris for our underperformance. I accept responsibility for the record we have right now. There are a lot of reasons why we’ve struggled. We are grateful for the impact Chris has made on the franchise.”
Clippers’ rocky season
The Clippers have stumbled out of the gate this season, currently sitting at a dismal 5-16 record and riding a five-game losing streak. Despite the presence of former MVP James Harden and the return of two-time champion Kawhi Leonard, the team has failed to find its footing. The struggles have been compounded by the fact that they owe an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the surging 21-1 Oklahoma City Thunder.
This miserable early-season performance appears to have culminated in the franchise’s decision to part ways with Paul. His departure raises questions about potential landing spots, particularly with the Houston Rockets, who recently lost star point guard Fred VanVleet to injury.
Should the Rockets consider CP3?
As Houston grapples with the need for a starting point guard, the question looms: should they consider signing Chris Paul? However, the timing may not be right for such a move. While Paul was instrumental in leading the Rockets to some of their finest seasons, his current performance does not mirror those days. This year, he has averaged only 2.9 points on 32% shooting while playing about 14 minutes per game for the Clippers—far removed from his once-MVP caliber play.
The Rockets are also facing their own set of challenges, having dealt with injuries and forced to dig deep into their roster early in the season. Adding Paul would necessitate waiving or trading players like Josh Okogie or Jae’Sean Tate, both of whom have been vital to the team’s efforts so far.
Had the Clippers made this decision earlier in the offseason, the Rockets might have been able to oblige Paul. However, the abrupt nature of the Clippers’ move has left both Paul and Houston in a state of uncertainty.
The future for Chris Paul
As the dust settles from this unexpected turn of events, the hope remains that another NBA franchise will recognize Paul’s legacy and value his final run in the league. The basketball world watches closely to see where this franchise legend will land next, as he navigates the twilight of his illustrious career amidst the chaos of his retirement tour.
