Clippers Announce Tyronn Lue Decision After Chris Paul Move

The Los Angeles Clippers are navigating the fallout from their overnight decision to send Chris Paul home during the team’s trip to Atlanta, and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank addressed the media on Wednesday.

Frank, speaking to reporters remotely, per The Athletic's Law Murray, discussed the decision to cut ties with Paul while reiterating support for head coach Tyronn Lue. Frank opened his availability by acknowledging the team’s on-court results.

“We’re a bad basketball team … I put together that roster,” Frank said. “T Lue is my partner… he will be the coach.”

Added Frank: “I think Ty is one of the best coaches in the NBA… we're all part of the problem… it starts at the top with me.”

Frank said Paul’s removal was not connected to the Clippers’ record or to any attempt to shift blame and put the bad start to the season on the veteran's shoulders.

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“Chris Paul had a legendary career, (is) a legendary Clipper,” Frank said, per Murray. “We did not make this move because of our underperformance… we are not scapegoating Chris Paul… we have great respect for Chris… we’re not blaming him.”

Law Murray added that Frank revealed he “made the decision to part ways with Chris Paul Sunday night before Clippers played in Miami” and that the meeting with the point guard “was supposed to take place in Atlanta,” but the Clippers got there late.

Paul learned of the decision at 2:40 a.m. ET on Wednesday, posting on Instagram that he had “just found out I’m being sent home.”

Per Murray, “Lawrence Frank says that the meeting with Chris Paul lasted about three hours, from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. local time in Atlanta.”