Chris Paul Calls Los Angeles Clippers Return A “No-Brainer”

Chris Paul is back and playing for a team that many people would consider his NBA home.

After jumping around teams in the eight years since leaving, the 40-year-old guard described his reunion with the Los Angeles Clippers. “It was a no-brainer,” he told the media on Monday (July 28), citing that his motivation wasn’t just based in basketball, but also being closer to his wife and kids. However, with a roster boasting James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Bradley Beal, and Ivica Zubac, he couldn’t pretend basketball had nothing to do with it either.

“If I’m really honest, I wanted to get back and play here by any means necessary.” He signed a one-year, $3.6 million veteran’s minimum deal and adds more veteran presence and facilitation to a team that has been a contender on paper for years but hasn’t been able to get over the hump due to injury or flaming out in the postseason. With the hooper being 40 years old and family being on his mind, they may not have him for long, but he hasn’t confirmed whether this will be his final season or not.

“I am approaching [the season] with a lot of excitement, not necessarily what’s next,” he said in front of the Clippers faithful. “I’m just trying to be in it […] I’m just so excited about the moves that the team has made this offseason. 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.”

Paul, who has typically played a major role on all of the team he has been part of, acknowledges that he won’t need to be the engine in Intuit Dome and wants to contribute in any way he can. “My role on this team is obviously different than it’s been the past 20 years, being in the NBA,” he 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.”

CP3 played for the Clippers from 2011-2017, playing a key role in their exciting collective known as “Lob City.” After stints with the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and San Antonio Spurs, CP3 is back where he wants to be. This upcoming NBA season could get very interesting.