NBA Insider Reveals Rift Between Chris Paul vs. Clippers Staff Involving Kawhi Leonard

It has been revealed that Chris Paul clashed with the Clippers coaching staff and the front office which led to their separation.

NBA Insider Reveals Rift Between Chris Paul vs. Clippers Staff Involving Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard (Left) and Chris Paul (Right) (Image credits - Firstsportz)

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The sudden decision to let go of Chris Paul by the Los Angeles Clippers was a huge surprise to the NBA world. Paul made his return to the Clippers for a second stint in the offseason. The guard played some of the best years in his career in LA from 2011-17, giving relevance to the club along with former number one pick, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan forming the famed Clippers Lob City.

The reality of the NBA is that these decisions are taken by the managements, sometimes without even informing the players most of the time. But what hurts more is that Chris Paul is arguably their franchise’s greatest ever player.

The 40-year-old announced a week before the decision that the 2025-26 season would be the final chapter of his illustrious career. Hence, it was a shock to everyone when the announcement was made, including Paul, who confirmed the news with a late-night Instagram story.

The Clippers are in a horrid position at the moment and it is unfair to blame Paul for their poor run of results. They are currently placed at 13th in the Western Conference standings with a 6-17 record. The veteran guard was averaging 2.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in under 15 minutes as he was restricted to a bench role for the club.

But according to latest reports, it seems that there is more to the fallout between the two. Paul had clashed with the head coach, Ty Lue, and the two were not on speaking terms for a while. The guard also had issues with the front office regarding star player, Kawhi Leonard. All these factors put together may have led to the decision.

Following another Instagram story by Paul where he posted the definition of ‘leeway’, NBA insider, Chris Haynes, spoke about the situation.

That occurred from a game against the Dallas Mavericks (about the story). Sources told me that when Kawhi was guarding Klay Thompson, he was struggling when he got into the game. Chris Paul went to Kawhi and asked him if he was fresh enough and he asked the teammates ‘Y’all might wanna switch this’ So the next day, assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy told Paul ‘listen you might have had leeway in other places to be able to change up defensive coverages but you don’t have that leeway here’

The Clippers coaching staff felt that Paul was changing up the defensive assignment that the coaching staff was against. Such issues may have piled up over the last few weeks resulting in cutting Paul off from the roster.

Chris Paul is still scarred by the whole situation

It is a huge feeling of disrespect and disappointment when a player is cutoff a team without any prior notice. Even more so, if it is the player’s final year in the league in his favorite club. But such instances are quite common in the NBA, something that does scare the players more often than not. Because at the end of the day, it is a business.

While Paul is still open to new clubs and does not plan to have an abrupt ending to his career, he is still distraught by the course of events.

I’m just staying ready. I’m hooping right now. I don’t (know) what’s next. I’m still scarred by it all. Still processing everything. But I’m staying ready.

It will be interesting to see if Paul will have any suitors in the coming weeks as he can instill some leadership into the locker room.

Blake Griffin feels for Chris Paul

Former Clippers teammate, Blake Griffin, was unhappy with all the drama surrounding Paul and his former club. The forward was drafted as the number one pick in the 2009 draft by the Clippers. In his second season, Paul was signed by the Clippers and along with DeAndre Jordan went on to form the “Lob City”.

Chris Paul Blake Griffin
Chris Paul (Left) and Blake Griffin (Right) (Image credits – CBS Sports)

Griffin, who announced his retirement in 2023, now serves as an analyst on NBA on Prime. The former Clippers star voiced his disappointment for Paul.

I’m just disappointed, to be honest. I can’t really think of another word. Obviously shocked at first, but disappointed. I’m disappointed for Chris Paul, but I’m disappointed in the Clippers organization. Chris Paul is a guy who came to the Clippers when DeAndre [Jordan] and I were first and second-year guys. He brought a winning culture.

The NBA world will be hoping that Paul ends up signing for a new club very soon and gets the farewell he deserves.

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