Chris Paul returns to Clippers for what’s expected to be his 21st and final NBA season
LOS ANGELES AP Chris Paul is rejoining the Los Angeles Clippers for what s expected to be the point guard s st and final NBA season The crew ratified Monday afternoon that Paul had signed He led the Clippers to the playoffs in each of his six seasons in Los Angeles Chris is one of the majority of impactful players ever to wear a Clippers uniform and it s appropriate that he returns to the company for this chapter of his career Lawrence Frank president of basketball operations reported in a comment Paul a -time All-Star was a free agent after playing all games for the San Antonio Spurs last season becoming the first NBA athlete to do so in his th season or later He averaged points and assists while shooting from the floor Paul had stated that he desired to play the upcoming season close to his family which lives in Los Angeles He joins a veteran roster that includes new additions guard Bradley Beal forward John Collins and center Brook Lopez as well as Kawhi Leonard James Harden and Bogdan Bogdanovic Chris will help fortify our backcourt with his exceptional ballhandling playmaking and shooting Frank revealed Monday Paul played six seasons for the Clippers during their Lob City era with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan He made five All-Star teams from to and his assists are still the largest part in franchise history He averaged points assists rebounds and steals in games Paul left the Clippers for the Houston Rockets in because he felt it was time for a change and he craved to compete for a championship with Harden Paul spent two seasons in Houston before going to Oklahoma City for one season He then spent three years with Phoenix and one with Golden State before joining the Spurs last season who finished th in the Western Conference at - The Clippers finished fifth at - and lost to Denver in seven games in the first round Frank had stated Saturday that the association was strongly considering signing Paul to join a crowded guard rotation of Harden Beal Bogdanovic and Kris Dunn Paul will come off the bench He is joining us as a reserve point guard and is excited to fill whatever role coach Tyronn Lue asks him to play Frank reported He wants to be part of the group and we re fortunate to have him back The Clippers want to preserve Harden who played nearly minutes last season at age in his th NBA season They view Paul as insurance against injuries that typically impact a roster during an -game season plus the playoffs Role awareness especially in this next roster spot will be critical Frank reported AP NBA https apnews com hub NBA Source
