If you're looking for the short answer to what team is Chris Paul on, technically, he is still a member of the Los Angeles Clippers.
But man, it’s not that simple.
If you’ve been watching the games lately, you haven't seen him. He’s not on the bench. He’s not in the locker room. Honestly, he’s not even in the same city as the team most nights.
CP3 is currently in one of the weirdest professional limbos we’ve seen in years. He’s "on the team" the same way a guy who’s been fired but is still collecting severance is "at the company."
The Bizarre Status of Chris Paul and the Clippers
Basically, the Clippers sent him home on December 3, 2025. It was a messy, middle-of-the-night breakup that caught everyone off guard. One minute he’s the veteran savior brought back to help Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, and the next, he’s posting on Instagram at 2:40 a.m. saying he just found out he’s being "sent home."
The Point God is currently under contract with Los Angeles for the 2025-26 season on a one-year deal worth about $3.6 million. But the team essentially "cut" him without actually waiving him. Why? Because the NBA is a business, and the Clippers are hoping they can squeeze a trade out of someone before the February 5 deadline.
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Until that happens—or until they decide to just eat the money and release him—he’s a Clipper in name only.
How did we get here?
It was supposed to be a storybook ending. After a year mentoring Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio, Paul returned to the Clippers in the summer of 2025. It was a "Lob City" reunion without the lobs.
The vibes were high for about three weeks.
Then reality hit. The Clippers started the season 5-16. Paul was 40 years old, averaging a career-low 2.9 points per game, and reportedly clashing with the coaching staff over leadership styles. The team decided they needed to move in a different direction—fast.
They didn't just bench him. They told him to stay away.
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Where Could Chris Paul Go Next?
Since he became trade-eligible on December 15, the rumor mill has been spinning, but the phone isn't exactly ringing off the hook. Most teams are wary of a 40-year-old guard who has already announced this is his final season.
There are a few spots that actually make sense, though:
- The New Orleans Pelicans: This is the "full circle" option. Paul started his career there. They could use a veteran floor general to calm things down for their young core.
- A Ring Chaser Move: Maybe a team like the Celtics or Bucks takes a flier on him for 10 minutes a night of pure basketball IQ.
- The Retirement Choice: There’s a very real chance he never plays another minute. If no trade materializes and the Clippers don't waive him until it's too late to sign elsewhere, this might be it.
Paul has been vocal about not wanting to go out like this. In a recent interview on Good Sports with Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson, he was pretty blunt. He said he’s training every day because he loves the game too much to let a "sent home" Instagram post be the final chapter of a Hall of Fame career.
Breaking Down the Contract
To understand what team is Chris Paul on, you have to look at the paperwork. He signed a one-year, $3.63 million veteran minimum contract in July 2025. Because he was a new signing, the Clippers couldn't move him until mid-December.
Right now, Lawrence Frank and the Clippers front office are playing a game of chicken. They want a second-round pick or some minor asset. Other teams want the Clippers to just waive him so they can sign him for nothing.
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It’s a stalemate.
The End of the Point God Era
Whether he lands on a contender or just heads home to North Carolina, we are watching the final weeks of one of the greatest to ever do it.
Chris Paul is second all-time in assists. He’s second all-time in steals.
He’s spent 21 seasons being the smartest guy on the floor. It’s kinda sad to see him sitting in a gym by himself while the Clippers play at the Intuit Dome, but that’s the NBA. It’s a "what have you done for me lately" league, and lately, the Clippers decided they’d rather play without him.
If you’re tracking his status for your fantasy team or just because you’re a fan, keep your eyes on the trade ticker. The next two weeks will decide if he gets a "farewell tour" or if his career ended on a random Tuesday in December.
What you can do now:
Keep a close eye on the NBA transaction wire between now and February 5. If Paul isn't moved by the trade deadline, look for a "buyout" or waiver announcement shortly after. This would allow him to sign with a playoff contender before the March 1 deadline for postseason eligibility. If you’re a Pelicans or Lakers fan, these are the dates that will determine if CP3 makes one last run in your jersey.