The Los Angeles Clippers have announced they are parting ways with veteran guard Chris Paul, according to team president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank.
Paul, 40, shared the news on Instagram Tuesday night, writing, “Just found out I’m being sent home.” He scored eight points in 15 minutes during Monday’s 140-123 loss to the Miami Heat. The Clippers are scheduled to face the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday in Atlanta.
A 12-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA selection, Paul spent seven of his 21 NBA seasons with the Clippers and holds the franchise record for most assists. He ranks second all-time in steals and sixth in points for the team. This season, he averaged a career-low 2.9 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 rebounds in 16 games off the bench.
The Clippers, currently 5-16 and on a five-game losing streak, are struggling among the league’s lowest-ranked teams. “We are parting ways with Chris, and he will no longer be with the team,” Frank said. “We will work with him on the next step of his career. Chris is a legendary Clipper who has had a historic career. No one is blaming Chris for our underperformance. I accept responsibility for our record. We’re grateful for the impact Chris has made on the franchise.”
Paul, who announced in November that this would be his final season, signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Clippers in July. The point guard ranks second in NBA history with 12,552 assists and 2,728 steals. The Clippers’ game against the Hawks is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday in Atlanta.