Chris Paul has spoken publicly for the first time since his shocking overnight breakup with the Clippers.
The 40-year-old, who returned to his former team on a one-year, $3.6 million contract for what he said will be his final NBA season, took to Instagram early in the morning of Dec. 3, saying, “just found out I’m being sent home,” with a peace-sign emoji. The Clippers then confirmed the sides are parting ways, though how that officially plays out has yet to be determined.
Paul acknowledged the situation in a Tuesday interview with People, while noting the silver linings of his current NBA purgatory as he waits for resolution.
“Stuff’s been a little crazy in the past few days — to say the least,” Paul said. “But honestly, I’m home. My daughter had tryouts yesterday. My nephew had a basketball game. My son has a game coming up on the 12th.”
“I have never seen my son play a game in person,” he added “Not a middle school game, not a high school game. So I’m excited about seeing him play.”
Paul said he doesn’t “regret anything” about going public with the news.
“I was in Atlanta with a whole bunch of family. It was my last time gonna be playing there. That’s life,” he told People. “The whole thing took on a life of its own, you know? But I’m excited to be back here with my family.”
ESPN reported that Paul’s outspoken brand of leadership was considered disruptive by some team decision-makers, and Chris Haynes reported that head coach Ty Lue “refused to meet” with Paul — who starred for the Clippers from 2011-17 — when the 12-time All-Star wanted to discuss the allegations of him becoming a negative presence.
“It just didn’t work out like we thought it would. I just think it wasn’t a good fit for what he was looking for. It is what it is,” Lue said after the Clippers announced Paul wouldn’t play for them anymore.
“Do I want to see CP go out like this? No. I have a lot of respect for him. He’s been a friend of mine over the years. You never wanna see a great go out like this. But I’m pretty sure he will find something, because he’s a great player. … I didn’t wanna see it end like this.”
Haynes also reported that assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy, the former Knicks head coach, confronted Paul on a team flight days before the split over “leeway” regarding changing defensive assignments.
The Post’s Stefan Bondy reported that before the split, the Knicks had “broached” the idea of pursuing Paul for a backup point guard role.
“I’m actually at peace with everything,” Paul said. “More than anything, I’m excited about being around and getting a chance to play a small role in whatever anything looks like next.”
