Chris Paul inadvertently delivered a lethal blow to Clippers future plans

Recently retired Clippers guard Chris Paul (3). IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Chris Paul inadvertently delivered a lethal blow to Clippers future plans

By Kyle Pring | Last updated Sep 4, 2026 9:55 PM ET

The Los Angeles Clippers are, without a doubt, a sizzling hot mess right now. Following the conclusion of the Kawhi Leonard controversy, they are staring at a pretty bleak present and future as a team. Now, they are expected to be a lottery team, but without the benefit of a first-round pick for five years starting in 2029.

Well, to make matters worse, they might also be a not-so-ideal free agency destination moving forward in view of what happened to Chris Paul this past season.

As everyone knows, the recently retired guard started the campaign with the Clippers after reuniting with them last summer, only for the front office to send him packing in the middle of the season. Recently, the future Hall of Famer dished out his thoughts on the highly divisive move, calling it a pretty disrespectful decision.

Who would want to join the Clippers now?

If we are being honest, there is probably not a single rational soul on the planet who would disagree that Paul got treated badly in his final hurrah in the NBA. LA started the season with a 6-21 record and apparently pinned it on the 12-time All-Star despite his teammates not being in a clash with him.

Now, any and all veteran free agents will probably have the Paul debacle on their minds when considering the Clippers in the open market. While going after sage players will probably not be LA's modus in the near future, that is still an available option for them in order to dump those players for assets later.

But with the kind of treatment the Clippers brass gave to their former franchise player, their public image will not get any better. They are on rock bottom, but they might soon realize that they are now actually in the sewer.

Kyle Pring

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