Adam Silver Reacts to Chris Paul's Clippers Exit, Would 'Love to See' PG on New Team
NBA commissioner Adam Silver hopes Chris Paul's career isn't over.
"I'd love to see him finish off the season on another team," Silver said Tuesday, per ESPN's Marc J. Spears. He also said it wasn't something for him to say when discussing whether he believed the Los Angeles Clippers could have handled the guard's exit in a different manner.
It seemed like Paul's return to the Clippers this season would be a full-circle moment for a legendary career seeing how he played for the organization when he was at his best.
However, things went anything but according to plan, as he fell in and out of the team's rotation as it struggled to start the season. It reached a point that Los Angeles sent him home early this month in a shocking development.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported at the time that Paul's "leadership style clashed with the Clippers," as he was "vocal in holding management, coaches and players accountable." Charania also noted the guard and head coach Tyronn Lue were not on speaking terms.
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Lue refused to meet with the 40-year-old to discuss allegations he was negatively impacting the team.
ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported on the situation Tuesday, noting Paul had arguments with Lue and "especially associate head coach Jeff Van Gundy." He was also told he was undermining staff when he made suggestions about various things and was seen by some as "abrasive."
Shelburne also noted Paul "raised concerns about the team's culture."
The question now is whether the 12-time All-Star will return to the court during what was set to be the final season of his career. Los Angeles could look to get something of value back in return by trading him, and Silver's comments suggest the commissioner would love to see something like that happen.
According to Shelburne, the Wake Forest product is still working out, so a return could be in the cards.
If it is, NBA fans will get to see one of the best point guards of all-time take the court again and avoid what would otherwise be a rather unceremonious end to his career.
