Chris Paul Wanted to Join LA Clippers, Claims Former Teammate

Chris Paul to the Lakers or Chris Paul to the Knicks? The rumors had been swirling around Chris Paul’s potential trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder ever since the 2019-20 season ended. The Suns put all speculation to rest when they finally landed him.

Despite parting ways with Ricky Rubio and Kelly Oubre Jr. among others along with their 2022 first-round draft pick, one can expect the Phoenix Suns to become a top-six contender in the West with ‘CP3’ in their roster. The veteran point guard will bring much-needed leadership to Phoenix. He can help unlock the true potential of former Number-1 pick DeAndre Ayton. More importantly, this move might entice Devin Booker to stay in Phoenix a little longer.

Chris Paul wanted to join the Clippers

Paul arguably had the best years of his career with the LA Clippers. He was part of the famous ‘lob city’ Clippers team. That team made the playoffs six times in a row. He helped in elevating the levels of DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin. But a rumored fall-out with head coach Doc Rivers meant that they traded him away to Houston in 2017.

So when Doc was fired at the end of the season, CP3 had his tail up. The chance to form a ‘Big 3’ with George and Leonard was mouthwatering for him. Additionally, his family was already living in LA when he was featuring for OKC. On his All the Smoke podcast with Stephen Jackson, Matt Barnes said:

“CP wanted to come back to the Clippers. He was talking to people. Chauncey [Clippers assistant coach Chauncey Billups] is there. He was leaning towards the Clippers, but I guess they didn’t want to pull that trigger.”

It is quite understandable that the Clippers’ front office did not make the move for Chris Paul. Even though the Clippers desperately need a point guard to run the floor, they simply do not have the cap space or the draft picks to trade for Chris Paul. Trading him for Paul George would have been their only viable option. Though CP3 is playing at a high level, he is 35 currently. The Clippers are more intently pursuing the much cheaper Rajon Rondo from their cross-town rivals.

Looks like the reunion between Paul and the Clippers was never meant to happen.