Chris Paul calls LA Clippers’ return a no-brainer

Veteran Chris Paul will return to the Los Angeles Clippers after eight years. Paul was treated with “C-P-3!” chants from the crowd at the Intuit Dome and said he is motivated to rejoin the Clippers.

This move will help Paul stay closer to his wife, Jada; his son, Chris Jr.; and his daughter, Camryn. Paul’s family had been living in Los Angeles when he played in five other cities since being traded to the Houston Rockets in 2017.

“It was a no-brainer,” Paul said. “If I’m really honest, I wanted to get back and play here by any means necessary.”

Almost a week ago, Paul agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million veteran’s minimum deal to play his 21st season in LA.

The experienced campaigner said he is looking forward to the next season but didn’t reveal if it would be the last of his career.

“I am approaching [the season] with a lot of excitement, not necessarily what’s next,” he said on stage in front of the fans, “I’m just trying to be in it” — he made clear how comfortable he is with the group he is joining.

“I’m just so excited about the moves that the team has made this offseason,” Paul said. “Brad coming to the team, Brook Lopez, all the young guys. I talked to James, I talked to Kawhi [Leonard], and I’m even more excited about what I think we have a chance to do.”

In the previous season, Paul played all 82 games for the first time in his career with the San Antonio Spurs in 2024-25. He averaged 8.8 points on 42.7% shooting (37.7% from 3) with 7.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists.

The Clippers have players like Harden, Beal, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kris Dunn and thus the franchise might not ask CP3 to play all the regular season matches. Paul said he would be happy to perform whatever role is being given to him by the franchise.

“My role on this team is obviously different than it’s been the past 20 years, being in the NBA,” Paul said, “but showing up every day, if I can show some of the guys what it looks like every day to clock in and clock out, I’m excited for it.”