Clippers part ways with Chris Paul as franchise struggles continue

The Los Angeles Clippers abruptly parted ways with veteran point guard Chris Paul late Tuesday night, ending the 12-time All-Star’s brief and emotional return to the franchise where he became one of the defining players of the Lob City era.

Paul, 40, revealed on his Instagram story that he had been sent home by the team in the middle of its five-game road trip. The Clippers, who are in Atlanta for Wednesday night’s matchup with the Hawks, confirmed the separation early Wednesday but did not provide specifics about what led to the decision.

“We are parting ways with Chris and he will no longer be with the team,” Clippers president Lawrence Frank said in a statement. “We will work with him on the next step of his career. Chris is a legendary Clipper who had a historic career. 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’re grateful for the impact Chris has made on the franchise.”

The move ends Paul’s second stint with the Clippers just months after he signed a one-year, $3.6 million deal in the offseason. Paul, who previously spent six highly successful seasons in Los Angeles, called the decision to return a “no-brainer” when he signed the contract. This season, however, has deviated sharply from the expectations that accompanied his reunion with the organization.

In what he has already announced will be the final year of his 21-season NBA career, Paul had shifted into a reserve role for only the second time. He averaged 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in limited minutes, including an eight-point, three-assist outing in 15 minutes during Monday’s loss to the Miami Heat.

The Clippers’ struggles have overshadowed much of the roster storyline. Los Angeles enters Wednesday’s game at 5-16, the second-worst record in the Western Conference. They have dropped five straight and eight of their last nine games as frustration around the franchise has grown.

Paul, one of the greatest point guards of his generation, has played for seven teams, led the league in assists five times and in steals six times. Though an NBA championship has eluded him, his status as a future Hall of Famer is unquestioned.

Where he goes next — and how the final months of his career unfold — is now uncertain after a split that came both swiftly and unexpectedly.