The Los Angeles Clippers are spiraling, and now their season’s chaos has come to a head with a move that stunned both fans and analysts: parting ways with future Hall of Famer Chris Paul.
Paul, who returned to L.A. on a one-year deal for what he previously labeled his final NBA season, was abruptly sent home early Wednesday morning while the team was on a road trip in Atlanta. Hours later, Clippers president Lawrence Frank issued a carefully worded statement, stressing that the 40-year-old guard was not at fault for the team’s 5–16 collapse.
But that explanation didn’t fly with Stephen A. Smith.
"How the hell do you do this to Chris Paul? … He doesn't deserve this."@stephenasmith weighs in on the Clippers parting ways with Chris Paul 👀 pic.twitter.com/L7oUqPZtOF
— First Take (@FirstTake) December 3, 2025
On ESPN’s First Take, Smith delivered a fiery, emotional takedown of the Clippers’ decision, calling it disrespectful, unnecessary, and emblematic of a franchise in disarray.
“How the hell do you do this to Chris Paul?” Smith began, immediately questioning the integrity of the move. “Now, this is a future Hall of Famer… I don’t give a damn what’s going on with the team. They’re trash right now.”
Paul’s role this season had been limited, 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in 16 games, but Smith emphasized that the numbers weren’t the point. It was the manner in which the Clippers handled the situation.
“To do this to CP3… to let you on a road trip and you send him home? You send him home, doggy?” Smith said, incredulous. “Don’t tell me he deserves this.”
Smith also pushed back on any implication that Paul was a locker-room problem.
“You’re gonna hear complaints about Chris Paul because he’s not liked by everybody. You know why he’s not liked by everybody? Because that brother will hold you accountable,” he said. “He will look you in your face and tell you when you ain’t doing your damn job.”
He also pointed to Paul’s professionalism, leadership, and long-standing respect across the league, reminding viewers that he is a former president of the National Basketball Players Association who has spent two decades setting the tone for how an NBA veteran should carry himself.
While the Clippers’ statement avoided assigning blame, Smith redirected the spotlight toward the front office—particularly Lawrence Frank.
“Lawrence Frank is more of a cancer to the team than him,” Smith said bluntly, reminding viewers of key missteps. “Isn’t that the man that traded Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and about four picks for Paul George?… Wasn’t that on Lawrence Frank’s watch?”
His frustration was clear: if Paul wasn’t the problem, then why was he being treated as disposable?
“If you want, at least come home and negotiate a buyout… to send him home like he’s some malcontent?” Smith said. “To disrespect a future Hall of Famer… like that? Nah.”
Paul has already announced that this will be his last season. What was supposed to be a meaningful final run, returning to the franchise where he helped spark its Lob City era, has instead been marred by losses, tension with coach Ty Lue, and now an unceremonious exit.
The Clippers cannot trade Paul until December 15, which leaves two likely options: a buyout, or a full release with L.A. paying out his $3.6 million salary.
Either way, his time with the team is effectively over.
And for Stephen A., that’s the biggest problem.
“He doesn’t deserve this,” Smith repeated. “He’s only there on a one-year deal… Come home. Work out a buyout… To send him home like that, to disrespect him like that? No.”
