Clippers Teammates Discuss Chris Paul's Departure and Impact

Many around the league were and are still shocked by Chris Paul’s surprising departure from the Los Angeles Clippers. Just weeks after Paul announced his plans for retirement, the Clippers sent Paul home, preferring him not to be around the team for the rest of the season. 

Not only is this not the way to treat the best player in your franchise's history, but Paul is hardly to blame for the Clippers' poor play this season. Still, his personality and criticisms were no longer welcome by the Clippers coaching staff or players, and he was sent on his way. 

"It didn't work out for whatever reason. But somebody who I looked up to. Wake Forest guy, Clipper legend. Somebody I had a relationship with before I was even drafted. So all love and respect out to my guy CP… Definitely was a lot quieter without him here today. So I'll leave it at that. Wishing him well in whatever he chooses to do in his next steps," said teammate John Collins. 

Veteran forward Nic Batum said, "I obviously have a ton of respect for him… 21 years and a Hall of Famer… I got a chance to play with a lot of great players. He's one of them. So just wanted to text him and thank him for the time I had with him…They didn't ask me. Like everybody else, I just woke up and found out about the news. It is what it is, the situation upstairs… If something happened, I don't really know about it… It's sad sometimes to be part of that. On both sides. The fans, too. Just wish the best for CP."

Nobody is going to come out and say it, but it seems like Paul may have divided the locker room and front office. On the one hand, he was there to call people out and hold people accountable. On the other hand, his voice may have lost some weight as his own skills have diminished. Regardless, it is a sour ending for what could have been a fun retirement tour.