One thing every NBA player knows is that teams can be brutal. Whether it's trading a player or removing him from the rotation, they do it whenever they choose — the unavoidable business side of the NBA. And they take no exceptions, not even for a future Hall of Famer like Chris Paul .
After reportedly becoming too disruptive in the locker room, Paul was sent home by the Los Angeles Clippers overnight. Many saw this as disrespect because, after all, CP3 helped bring the franchise out of poverty during the Lob City Era and led them to multiple playoff appearances.
It's a heartbreaking feeling that Isaiah Thomas got to experience when his time with the Boston Celtics ended abruptly. That is why he could not help but feel for CP3 on X.
"Clippers need to blow that up!!!" Thomas wrote . "Nasty how they just did CP3 smh."
Lawrence Frank, the team's president of basketball operations, was supposed to talk to the 12-time All-Star face-to-face in Atlanta after a tough loss to the Miami Heat . He actually sent an urgent text to the point guard, prompting him to change his plans.
However, the Clippers' chartered plane to Atlanta experienced mechanical problems, delaying the flight for several hours. It was supposed to land in the city at around 6 p.m.
Once it did, Frank could not wait any longer. He and Paul discussed the issue at around 11 p.m. local time on Tuesday, a meeting that lasted three hours and ended in the early hours of the morning.
After the talk had ended, Paul took to Instagram and posted a story at 2:40 a.m. with a caption, "Just found out I'm being sent home."
In a virtual press conference, Frank revealed that for a player of Paul's status, a long and urgent meeting was just proper.
"There's a ton of history between Chris, not just with the franchise, but with me," the president said , via Justin Russo. "Someone that you care about, someone that means a great deal to the organization, it's not gonna be a 5-minute Moneyball meeting."
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Thomas knew a thing or two about nasty breakups. In 2017, the Celtics traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Kyrie Irving . This came after he led the team to the best record in the East and to a conference finals appearance. He gave his all to the franchise, once scoring 53 points on his late sister's birthday.
Unceremonious fallout like Paul's is certainly not new to the Clippers. They also did this to another franchise legend in Blake Griffin .
In July 2017, Griffin inked a five-year contract extension with the team worth $171 million. The Clippers, who drafted Blake first overall in 2009, convinced the high-flying forward to re-sign using desperate measures, including a fake jersey retirement ceremony and employees wearing customized T-shirts in his honor.
Then, in January 2018, he was traded to the Detroit Pistons , which surprised Griffin, one of the key figures of the Lob City Clippers.
Now, like Thomas and Griffin, Paul became part of another nasty breakup. Whether it was true that CP3 undermined the coaches and became too critical of his teammates despite underperforming himself, he deserved a better way to go out.
Paul can retire, be waived and receive his fully guaranteed $3.6 million salary, or be traded, which cannot happen until December 15, when he becomes eligible for this scenario. Luckily, ESPN's Marc Spears revealed that Paul is " absolutely not done yet ." With this, he can still end his legendary career on his own terms.
Related: Brian Windhorst details the Clippers' mishandling of the Chris Paul situation
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
