Draymond Green issued a stark warning to NBA players following the Los Angeles Clippers’ abrupt release of Chris Paul, saying the franchise’s handling of the veteran point guard should concern everyone in the league.
The Golden State Warriors forward, who played alongside Paul during the 2023–24 season, addressed the situation on The Draymond Green Show after the Clippers announced Paul’s release late Tuesday night, December 3, 2025.
"If you're an NBA player, this should bother you because that shows you what can happen to you," Green said. "If that can happen to Chris Paul, imagine how bad it can get for the rest of us that aren't to the level of Chris Paul."
The Clippers released Paul during the team's current road trip while holding a 5-16 record, with Paul revealing the news via Instagram stories: "Just Found Out I'm Being Sent Home."
Green expressed sympathy for Paul’s situation, noting that the 40-year-old had been vocal about his gratitude for returning to Los Angeles for his 21st and final NBA season.
“I feel bad for [Chris Paul], who has been overly vocal about how thankful he was to be back with the Clippers,” Green said on his podcast. “Then to see this happen at 3 in the morning on a team that’s playing awful—it’s unfortunate.”
Paul had rejoined the Clippers on a one-year deal in summer 2025 after spending six seasons with the franchise during their “Lob City” era, quickly becoming one of the best players in the team’s history during that run.
The Warriors forward also referenced reports that Paul’s leadership style clashed with the struggling Clippers, as Paul attempted to hold teammates accountable amid their difficult start.
"Holding management, coaches, and players accountable seems like something that needs to be done in order to win at a high level,” Green said. “CP is as great as we all know he is. When you’re great, it’s fine—they accept the vocal leader and holding people accountable. They accept that. But when you’re on the end, all of a sudden, your experiences don’t matter anymore.”
Lou Williams claimed that the Clippers cut CP3 after he criticized players, coaches, and front office staff. On FanDuel's Run It Back, Williams said Paul may have rubbed some in the organization the wrong way with his comments.
"CP3 was holding players and coaches accountable. From players to staff, from coaching staff up to the front office," Williams explained,"He was critical of the front office as well, and I think that was the straw that broke the camel's back."
Green noted that even DeMarcus Cousins, who doesn’t have the best relationship with Paul, recognized the poor optics of the situation. “Boogie said CP3 deserves to have his flowers,” Green recalled on his show. “CP3 is a legend and one of the top five point guards we’ve ever seen in this league.”
Paul averaged 2.9 points with 3.3 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 16 games this season for the Clippers, playing just over 14 minutes per game in a reserve role. He played 14 minutes in Monday’s 140–123 loss to the Miami Heat, scoring eight points with three assists in what became his final game with Los Angeles.