Chris Paul’s second stint with the Los Angeles Clippers has concluded unexpectedly after the franchise announced they were parting ways with the veteran player on a one-year deal. Having played only 16 games this season and averaging 2.9 points per game, Paul stated on Instagram, “just found out I’m being sent home” at around 2:40 AM ET on Wednesday. Clippers coach Ty Lue expressed, “It wasn’t a good fit for what he was looking for… You never wanna see a great go out like this.” Paul, who returned to the Clippers this summer after several previous stints with teams such as the Rockets and Suns, had hoped to make a title push before announcing intentions to retire after the 2025-26 season.

“I don’t like it,” said Lue. “It just didn’t work out like we thought it would. We understood that.”

The Clippers began the season with a 5-16 record, leading Lue to clarify that the decision was organizational, driven by what is seen as necessary for future success.