Report from sports journalist Paul: Clippers cannot waive him; the late-night send-off only explains severe internal conflicts

On December 3rd Beijing time, Los Angeles basketball reporter Trevor Lane (mainly covering the Lakers) updated his podcast to explain and analyze today's Clippers-Paul split. Lane pointed out that the Clippers simply cannot waive Paul now, and the late-night send-off of the franchise's all-time best player surely has underlying reasons. Here are some key points from Lane’s podcast—

One crucial fact must be highlighted: the Clippers are currently on the road, not in Los Angeles. This is not just a simple “stay home” situation; Paul had to immediately catch a flight back to LA, while he was in Atlanta where it was clearly late at night. Yet the Clippers chose precisely this time to send him away.

Paul recently announced this season would be his retirement tour, his last dance. Yet, as the greatest player in franchise history, his ending is truly shocking.

Many guessed “the Clippers would waive him,” but the truth is, they simply cannot.Let me explain NBA roster rules: the Clippers currently have only 14 guaranteed contract players, including Paul. NBA rules require teams to keep at least 14 standard contracts (two-way contracts don’t count). Usually, teams can waive players and sign new ones, but like the Lakers, the Clippers have hit the luxury tax hard salary cap, leaving no room to sign anyone.

Paul’s contract is fully guaranteed. Even if the Clippers waive him, his $2.3 million salary (which is modest by NBA standards) becomes dead money occupying cap space, preventing them from signing anyone before January. Also, the NBA mandates teams cannot have fewer than 14 players on the roster for two consecutive weeks or face penalties. SoThe Clippers’ only option now is to send Paul home, keep his roster spot, continue paying his salary, and hope to trade him after December 16 when he becomes eligible. Otherwise, they must wait until January when veteran minimum salary cap rules adjust to waive him and fill the roster spot.

In other words, Paul cannot become a free agent anytime soon because the Clippers can neither waive him nor drop below roster minimum. Unless a team wants to take on his minimum contract via trade—which would also be the best outcome for Paul.

Imagine the absurdity of a franchise legend being sent home late at night during his retirement tour.The Clippers’ season has been disastrous: no fight, a 5-16 record ranking second last in the West, no first-round pick (owned by Thunder); they are on a five-game losing streak, winning only 2 out of the last 10 games; veterans Paul, Lopez, and Batum will likely fade out next season; Harden is trying hard but can’t reverse the trend; Leonard remains sharp when playing but can’t do it alone; Bill is out for the season. This Clippers team is like a Christmas tree wilting months after the holiday, completely deflated.

It’s already 3:30 AM in Atlanta, yet the Clippers chose this time to send Paul home, which definitely suggests hidden reasons.

Now the question is: where will Paul go next? What’s next for the Clippers? As mentioned, the Clippers can’t waive him now, only wait for December 16 to try trading or wait until late January to waive and replace. Paul’s minimum contract is easy to take on, but it depends if any team is interested. Honestly, his form this season is far from his prime—over 16 games, 32% shooting, 33% from three, averaging only 2.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.It’s even possible we have already witnessed his final NBA game.

If he is waived and becomes a free agent in January, where might he go? Let’s analyze some options—

The Rockets have been playing smoothly without a main ball-handler but also hit the hard salary cap with no space to sign before January. The Thunder are surging and may not need him. The Suns could be an option since Phoenix is only a five-hour drive from Los Angeles, matching Paul’s wish to be closer to family (he chose Clippers or Suns in the offseason for basketball and family balance). As for the Lakers, I think it’s unlikely—they are also constrained by the luxury tax, and Paul’s style doesn’t fill their gaps. The Spurs have Castile, Harper, and a returning Fox, so no need for him. The Pelicans have a worse record than the Clippers and probably won’t be his destination.

Some ask what “sending home” means: simply that Paul remains on the Clippers’ roster but cannot train or play with the team and must stay in Los Angeles, since the team can’t waive him now. Some joke if Paul will join the BIG3 league, which is not impossible.

Why did the Clippers choose this timing? Some speculate it’s to clear a roster spot for trades, but as I said earlier, they cannot free up usable spots since they have no cap space to sign anyone.The only explanation is that internal conflicts have become so severe that the Clippers feel compelled to send Paul away despite the media backlash. We can only wait and see what happens next.

If Paul’s last career shot was that three-pointer against the Heat, it would be truly poignant.