Clippers make shocking decision on Chris Paul

Clippers share statement over Chris Paul's release 

The Clippers later confirmed their surprising decision to cut all ties with arguably the greatest player in franchise history.

“We are parting ways with Chris and he will no longer be with the team. We will work with him on the next step of his career. Chris is a legendary Clipper who has had a historic career. I want to make one thing very clear. No one is blaming Chris for our underperformance. I accept responsibility for the record we have right now. There are a lot of reasons why we’ve struggled. We’re grateful for the impact Chris has made on the franchise," the statement read, per Chris Haynes.

Paul had chosen to return to the Clippers for his final season. Thus far, he hadn't been much of a factor, averaging just 2.9 points and 3.3 assists per game on 32.1 percent shooting. He had only appeared in 16 games.

The Clippers will now have to either buy him out, waive him and pay the remainder of his $3.6 million salary or trade him after December 15.

Paul is the franchise's all-time leader in total assists and steals per game, and for a team that has now lost 14 of its last 16 games and five in a row, this decision comes at a pretty complicated time.