What does Mark Daigneault remember about Chris Paul's time in OKC?

Less than two weeks after he announced his retirement tour, Chris Paul’s second stint with the LA Clippers ended in a disaster rather than a storybook ending.

In the middle of the night, Paul announced he had been sent home for good. The Clippers explained their side of the story — citing bad chemistry problems with their teammates and coaching staff. LA has had an apocalyptic start with a 6-17 record. It’s real on the way to hand-delivering a premium 2026 first-round draft pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

One of the greatest point guards ever, Paul had the carpet pulled underneath his feet. The 40-year-old is viewed as the greatest player in Clippers history. Considering he was there for six seasons at the peak of his powers, they should’ve known the type of personality they were adding to their veteran group.

To ruin Paul’s final season is the type of moves that make it easy to villainize the Clippers for their incompetence. There’s a reason why the rest of the NBA sees them as a losing franchise and the little brother to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The decision shocked the rest of the NBA world. Blake Griffin has backed up his former teammate. When asked about Paul, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said his constant readiness always impressed him.

Paul spent one season with the Thunder in the 2019-20 season. He rejuvenated his career there as an All-NBA player. After OKC was viewed as a rebuild situation, he led them to a playoff spot and pushed the Houston Rockets to a Game 7 in Round 1 of the 2020 NBA playoffs.

Meanwhile, Daigneault was a Thunder assistant. He was on Billy Donovan’s staff. After the season, he was promoted to OKC head coach. That’s the position he’s held for six seasons now.

“The thing I always think about is on the sleepy regular-season games in the middle of the season — mid-week, road city. That are kinda like invisible games. He’s ready to play,” Daigneault said. “Just the seriousness, the professionalism and the level he gets himself to prepare to play an NBA game every single night is potent when you’re around him.”

Plenty of positive vibes exist between Paul and Thunder fans. That wasn’t always the case. He helped Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as they both played their first year in OKC. Lu Dort also fondly remembers his former teammate. He still uses the iPad gifted to him by the future Hall-of-Famer to break down film.

“I think it has an impact on the team and the other guys. Obviously, Shai and Lu were here,” Daigneault said. “Seeing somebody that has his success pass through here and approach it like that, it was hard not to notice.”

Just a shame that Paul’s decorative career might end like this. The Clippers deserve all of the ridicule thrown their way for the abrupt ending. Perhaps the basketball gods will punish them by giving the Thunder another high lottery pick this upcoming 2026 NBA draft/

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: What does Mark Daigneault remember about Chris Paul’s time in OKC?

What does Mark Daigneault remember about Chris Paul’s time in OKC?

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