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Om Youngmisuk
Atlanta– LA Clippers Stars james harden And kawhi leonard They were “shocked” when they found out on Wednesday morning chris paul Now his partner will no longer be there.
Clippers put on a surprise performance Overnight decision to separate from Paul A late-night three-hour conversation followed between Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, and Paul at the team hotel in Atlanta.
When Harden and Leonard saw the news on their phones, they couldn’t believe their eyes.
“I’m as confused and shocked as you all are, world,” Harden said Wednesday night after beating the Clippers. hawks 115-92 To break a five-match losing streak. “Obviously I was surprised. But not just Chris, it’s a lot that we were dealing with. But it’s out of my hands. I have to focus on what I need to focus on and what I can control. I think the front office felt it was the best decision for the organization.”
Leonard said he almost had to re-read the news.
“It was shocking to me,” Leonard said. “I think they had a conversation and the front office made a decision.”
Sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania. Paul was not on talking terms with Clippers coach Ty Lue The veteran point guard lasted several weeks before being suddenly released from the team.
According to sources, Paul and his leadership style clashed with Lue and the Clippers, who told Charania that the 12-time All-Star was vocal in holding management, coaches and players accountable. Sources told Charania that the Clippers believe Paul’s style has become disruptive.
Frank said Wednesday that the organization’s decision to part ways with Paul was not caused by any one isolated incident, and that there were more than one conversation between the two sides before Paul was ultimately informed that he would no longer be a part of the team.
Lue was asked if Paul’s departure would help the Clippers.
“I don’t think it would have helped our team,” Lue said before Wednesday’s game. “I mean, I don’t think the reason we’re 5-16 is because of CP’s play. I just think it wasn’t a good fit for what he was looking for. Do I want to see CP go out like that? No, I have a lot of respect for him. He’s been a friend of mine for years, and you don’t want to see a great match like that.
“I’m sure he’ll get something because he’s a great player. [But] “I didn’t want to see it end like this.”
Paul, one of the greatest players in Clippers franchise history, would Will retire at the end of this seasonHis 21st in the NBA, sources told Charania.
“There is no side [in this],” Lew said. “I don’t like it. It didn’t work out the way we thought. I don’t like it for CP. It wasn’t a good fit at all, and we understood that. it was an organization [decision]”They made the choice and so moving forward, we’ll have to see what we do.”
For now, the Clippers and Paul are in a holding pattern, despite the guard being sent home to Los Angeles. Because Paul signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract in July, he is not eligible for a trade until December 15 at the earliest.
Forgiving him completely is more complicated. Because the Clippers turned on the first apron hard cap when they signed brook lopez And just $1.3 million short of that, they’re not allowed to sign a replacement. According to league rules, a team is not allowed to be down to 14 players for 14 consecutive days.
The Clippers and Paul can make a purchase with his remaining salary. However, a team will need roster space to sign him. Of the 10 teams with spots available, the Hawks are the only ones not affected by the luxury tax and aprons.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks contributed to this report.
