Chris Paul breaks silence on abrupt breakup with Clippers

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Recently retired NBA star Chris Paul sat down with Carmelo Anthony during an episode of his podcast, 7PM in Brooklyn, and revealed what really happened with the Los Angeles Clippers fallout.

In a short video posted on the podcast’s official YouTube account on Feb. 18, 2026, Paul detailed what led to his exit from the organization, which had promised him an appropriate farewell tour.

“I was extremely grateful,” Paul said.

“You know how emotional I was when I went back. I knew it was going to be my last year. And I was getting to play in front of my family.”

However, Paul started to have an iffy feeling when he admitted that a member of the LA Clippers’ organization approached him, saying that the team didn’t want him to give any advice to the players or even the coaching staff.

“During training camp, as soon as I went to the meal room, somebody came and told me like they didn’t want me giving players advice,” Paul explained.

It was the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank, who pulled the trigger on releasing Paul.

Paul’s release came during the organization’s darkest time this season, as the Clippers had their worst start in five years with a disappointing 6-16 win-loss record.

However, per ESPN veteran NBA insider Shams Charania, the reason the Clippers shut down Paul’s contract was due to a “leadership clash” with the organization.

Charania explained that Paul had vocally gone off on the team, trying to hold coaches (including head coach Tyrone Lue) and players accountable amid their struggling NBA start.

“It was just a lot of back and forth,” Paul added.

“Before I left the room, I asked L Frank (Lawrence Frank), you said you was going to get me a meeting with T Lue (Tyrone Lue). He said, I’m sorry, I couldn’t do that, go home.”

Despite the unexpected ending, Paul will go down as one of the most efficient point guards in NBA history, collecting 12 NBA All-Star selections and earning iconic membership on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

Paul will retire as the second all-time leader in both assists (12,552) and steals (2,728), behind Utah Jazz cornerstone John Stockton.

“I am so excited to take with me to the next chapter all the incredible things basketball has taught me,” Paul wrote in his retirement letter.

“And the biggest thanks of all goes to the man upstairs. If you know this and are reading, feel free to finish. God is Good, All the Time, and All the Time.”