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Lawrence Frank praises Chris Paul's leadership, but hints Clippers' view on it changed over time
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- Lawrence Frank praises Chris Paul's leadership, but hints Clippers' view on it changed over time
Chris Paul has established a reputation as a tough leader in his 21 years playing in the NBA. But it was revealed on Dec. 4 that his brand of leadership rubbed the Los Angeles Clippers the wrong way, as they parted ways with the franchise legend in a stunning move.
The Clippers have been struggling to start the 2025-26 NBA season, and Paul reportedly shared his thoughts on how to improve the team, hoping it would be enough to salvage what has been a disastrous season so far. ESPN's Shams Charania later described this as "disruptive."
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In an online press conference, Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank revealed he actually likes Paul's leadership style. However, he and the Clippers took exception to this instance, ultimately leading to the breakup.
"I'd like to keep some of those things in-house. Chris has a very good leadership style. He's led a lot of teams. And he's led a lot of teams as being one of the best players, if not the best player on the team," Frank said . "The role — some moves you make, you have great intentions. And some work and some don't. And I own that. And this one just didn't work at this time."
Teams' success with Paul at the helm
Ever since Paul entered the league in 2005, teams have put Paul in the helm — a trust that has paid huge.
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For the New Orleans Hornets , Paul put them on the map, reaching the playoffs three times in six years. The same thing happened for the Clippers, only it was even better. As the team's floor general, he ushered in an era of success and recognition, marked by six playoff appearances, including three semifinal berths, during that span.
He was the engine that kept the famous "Lob City Clippers" running, creating memorable plays alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan . Being cross-town rivals with the L.A. Lakers — known for their storied legacy and history — that style of play made the organization relevant.
Having seen what Paul can do as a leader, more NBA teams have sought him out.
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The Houston Rockets paired him with generational shooting guard and former MVP James Harden , a move that ultimately led them to the Western Conference finals against the dynastic Golden State Warriors .
Paul also formed a formidable backcourt duo with Devin Booker . The two steered the Phoenix Suns to their first finals appearance since 1993.
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The perfect veteran
Everybody knows what Paul is capable of in terms of leading the team on the court. However, his veteran presence away from it is what has made him attractive to other organizations.
This is what has landed him with the young San Antonio Spurs last year. During his stint, the aging Paul mentored rising star Victor Wembanyama , who learned a thing or two about the point competitiveness and " purposeful " approach to the game.
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This season, Wembanyama has taken a significant leap toward superstardom, and there is no doubt that having a future Hall of Famer as his mentor was crucial to this advancement.
That's why the Clippers signed him to start the 2025-26 season. With Harden and Kawhi Leonard holding the keys, Paul was willing to embrace a bench role if it meant competing for a championship one last time.
"I wanted to get back and play here by any means necessary," he said in June. "I didn't even care what the team looked like, I just wanted to be home, be here with the Clippers."
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Although Paul's leadership never resulted in any championship, the success it produced beyond the hardware is undeniable. He molded the league's young stars into leaders and helped create a culture of work ethic and competitiveness. It is something the 6-16 Clippers will miss badly this season.
They are in dire need of direction — and losing a veteran and leader like CP3 will make it harder for them to find it.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
