Ty Lue Explodes Over Reports of Rift With Chris Paul as Clippers Locker Room Tension Boils

NBA: Los Angeles Clippers at Boston Celtics - Source: Imagn
Ty Lue Explodes Over Reports of Rift With Chris Paul as Clippers Locker Room Tension Boils. [photo: Imagn]

NBA insider Shams Charania tweeted almost a week ago that LA Clippers coach Ty Lue and veteran guard Chris Paul were “not on speaking terms.” The report came after Paul opened up on Instagram early this month that he had been sent home by the Clippers. Charania added that Paul and Lue didn’t talk “for several weeks.”

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On Tuesday, Lue pushed back against that story (via Joey Linn):

“We were talking. "I mean, he played. How he going to play if I'm not talking to him?
“There was a stretch when we said he wasn't going to play, he was going to be out of the rotation. It was tough for him because he's a competitor, and what the game means to him and what he brings every single day. But after that, it wasn't really much."
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According to the ESPN senior reporter, Chris Paul’s “leadership style clashed with the Clippers.” A viral clip showing Ty Lue seemingly disregarding Paul’s urging to have more defined offensive sets also went viral. In that video, Lue instructed the Clippers to run their action once the ball was in play.

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LA retooled in the offseason after losing to the Denver Nuggets in seven games in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. The team acquired John Collins, Brook Lopez, Bradley Beal and Chris Paul to add to the crew around James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.

Despite that, Ty Lue’s team got off to a rough start. The Clippers were 5-16 when they parted ways with Chris Paul. According to Charania, CP3 “had been vocal in holding management, coaches and players accountable.” Charania continued that the Clippers found the former All-Star’s actions “disruptive.”

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Clippers want to help Chris Paul find a new team, per NBA insider

On Tuesday, NBA insider Jake Fischer, via “The Marc Stein Line” on Substack, added a layer to the Chris Paul situation. Fischer wrote:

“The 40-year-old indicated last week that he is more likely than not to keep playing even if it means leaving Los Angeles, and league sources insist that the Clippers, in a nod to Paul's status as a franchise legend, do want to help him relocate.”
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Paul refused to add drama to the already controversial situation. In a brief interview with People, he said:

“I’m actually at peace with everything. More than anything, I’m excited about being around and getting a chance to play a small role in whatever anything looks like next.”

CP3 has played for seven teams in 21 NBA seasons. Only time will tell where his next destination will be before he calls it a career.

Los Angeles Clippers Fan? Check out the latest Clippers depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

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Edited by Michael Macasero
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