{"id":15139,"date":"2025-07-22T10:04:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T10:04:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/15139\/"},"modified":"2025-07-22T10:04:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T10:04:10","slug":"chris-paul-agrees-to-deal-with-clippers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/15139\/","title":{"rendered":"Chris Paul agrees to deal with Clippers"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Chris Paul averaged 8.8 points and 7.4 assists over 82 games with San Antonio last season.<\/p>\n

Chris Paul is returning to Los Angeles, the team announced<\/a> Monday.<\/p>\n

The 40-year-old guard and 12-time All-Star has reportedly agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the LA Clippers. Paul previously played with LA for six seasons from 2011-17, leading them to the playoffs each year.<\/p>\n

\u201cChris is one of the most impactful players ever to wear a Clippers uniform and it\u2019s appropriate that he returns to the team for this chapter of his career,\u201d said team president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank. \u201cChris will help fortify our backcourt with his exceptional ballhandling, playmaking and shooting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Welcome home, Chris Paul \u2764\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/hvE5n8nmBY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 LA Clippers (@LAClippers) July 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Paul, a 12-time All-Star, was a free agent after playing all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs last season, becoming the first NBA player to do so in his 20th season or later. He averaged 8.8 points and 7.4 assists while shooting 43% from the floor.<\/p>\n

The 6-foot guard had stated that he wanted to play the upcoming season close to his family, which lives in Los Angeles. Paul 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.<\/p>\n

Paul played six seasons for the Clippers during their \u201cLob City\u201d era with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. He made five All-Star teams from 2012 to 2017 and his 4,023 assists are still the most in franchise history. He averaged 18.8 points, 9.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals in 409 games.<\/p>\n

Paul, who ranks 2nd all-time in assists and steals, has played for the Rockets, Thunder, Suns, Warriors and Spurs over the last eight seasons.<\/p>\n

Paul left the Clippers for the Houston Rockets in 2017 because he felt it was time for a change and he wanted 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 13th in the Western Conference at 34-48.<\/p>\n

The Clippers finished fifth at 50-32 and lost to Denver in seven games in the first round.<\/p>\n

Frank had said Saturday that the team was \u201cstrongly considering\u201d signing Paul to join a crowded guard rotation of Harden, Beal, Bogdanovic and Kris Dunn.<\/p>\n

Paul will come off the bench.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is joining us as a reserve point guard and is excited to fill whatever role (coach) Tyronn Lue asks him to play,\u201d Frank said. \u201cHe wants to be part of the group and we\u2019re fortunate to have him back.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Clippers want to preserve Harden, who played nearly 2,800 minutes last season at age 35 in his 16th NBA season. They view Paul as insurance against injuries that typically impact a roster during an 82-game season, plus the playoffs.<\/p>\n

\u201cRole awareness, especially in this next roster spot, will be critical,\u201d Frank said.<\/p>\n