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Chris Paul on Keeping Up with His Former Clippers Teammates
Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Highlights

  • Chris Paul has returned to the Los Angeles Clippers, and he is still getting messages from his former Lob City teammates.
  • The Los Angeles Clippers have an older core group of players ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.
  • The 2025-26 season will be a significant campaign for the Clippers.

Ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season, Chris Paul made his return to the Los Angeles Clippers. Most people expect Paul to conclude his final year in the NBA with the team he is most closely associated with.

As one of the team's most iconic players, Paul is revered within the Clippers community. When people look into his legacy, most will remember his time with the Clippers, where he was the figurehead of the Lob City era alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

Sep 29, 2025; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) poses during media day at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesCredit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The 2025-26 season will be significant for the Clippers. They have undergone numerous changes in the offseason as they aim to build on their impressive 2024-25 campaign.

With Paul on the roster, the Clippers have another leader they can rely on. They already have established stars such as James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, but getting one of the best floor generals of all time could help, even if he is in his twilight years.

Paul is Still Communicating With His Former Clippers Teammates

As one of the most experienced players in the league, second only to LeBron James, CP3 has played with countless teammates. However, his Clippers stint always sticks with him, considering he was the linchpin for a strong team.

He is also one of the most respected basketball minds, so his teammates always find ways to speak with him. While he is unpopular to some players who haven't played with him, he does command respect from all teammates he has had.

One of the teammates who stands out is Blake Griffin, the main scorer during the Lob City era. It was Paul serving as the primary playmaker, while Griffin was the finisher from his passes. Sometimes, DeAndre Jordan also benefited from those unstoppable pick-and-rolls.

Now that he is back with the Clippers, Paul spoke about how he always speaks to his former teammates when he has the time.

"Man, it’s dope. It’s really dope. I’m sure BG, well, I hope BG gets out to a game or something this year. DJ, we still talk all the time. Even though JJ coaches the Lakers, I still talk to him all the time," Paul said about his former teammates.

"A lot of guys. Matt Barnes, Jamal Crawford, and all of us are still well-connected. So it’s really dope to still have that bond with them guys."

Paul Could Play a Big Role for the Clippers

While Harden will be the starting point guard for the Clippers, Paul could figure into head coach Ty Lue's game plan. He might be in his 40s now, but he still has his basketball IQ to rely on.

With Ivica Zubac emerging as one of the league's best centers, he could serve as the pick-and-roll partner for both Harden and Paul. Even new acquisition John Collins could thrive alongside the Clippers' guards because he is an athletic finisher who could thrive in the pick-and-roll.

The Clippers have a deep guard rotation, as they also have Kris Dunn and Bradley Beal in the lineup. With that depth, the Clippers could compete with almost every other team in the Western Conference.

It will be a challenging campaign, but the Clippers are a dark horse in the West. They have the talent, the pedigree, and the leadership to guide them to a good season. Paul might play a smaller role than ever, but he is still an influential figure.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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