The Los Angeles Clippers were praised by many after they secured free agent guard Chris Paul to return. Paul spent six seasons with the Clippers, leaving a lasting impact before he was traded to the Houston Rockets in 2017. While many fans rejoiced at CP3’s return, some didn’t like that L.A. signed him to team up with James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
Paul will enter his 21st season in the NBA with his former team, as he reunites with his family. One of the reasons he chose to play for the Clippers again was that he was away from his wife and kids. The 12-time All-Star’s family resides in Los Angeles, which is why it’s logical for him to sign a one-year, $3.6 million deal.
It looks like a storybook chapter in Paul’s career, for most fans. However, former NBA player Kendrick Perkins had something to say about the veteran point guard’s move. He criticized the organization and called them a “nursing home.”
Perkins called out the Clippers on Monday’s episode of ESPN’s “NBA Today.”
“Congratulations to Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles Clippers. They have officially become the nursing home for the NBA for the players that are on the backend of their career. The Clippers look old, and they still have a problem with the wing position when it comes down to depth,” Perkins said.
Perk on CP3 to the Clips:
"Congratulations to Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles Clippers. They have officially become the nursing home for the NBA for the players that are on the backend of their career. The Clippers look old" pic.twitter.com/FvClR6ajFt
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) July 22, 2025
One of the reasons why Perk called them out was the number of veteran players the team has. Before signing Paul, the team acquired Bradley Beal. The three-time All-Star was bought out by the Phoenix Suns and signed a two-year, $11 million deal. Over the past seasons, Beal hasn’t been the same star player he once was with the Washington Wizards.
Also, Harden is 35, while Leonard is 34.
Chris Paul might not have guaranteed playing time with the Los Angeles Clippers
There was some understanding that Paul would be the backup point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers. However, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst revealed that there’s a chance that the veteran guard might not get guaranteed playing time under head coach Ty Lue.
“From what I understand, he’s not gonna have guaranteed playing time,” Windhorst said. “There are going to be nights where James Harden and their backup Kris Dunn get the minutes at point guard, and Chris Paul might not play at all, which is what we have not seen from him before.
Windy:
"From what I understand he's not gonna have guaranteed playing time. There are going to be nights where James Harden and their backup Kris Dunn get the minutes at point guard and Chris Paul might not play at all…he has understood that" pic.twitter.com/qO8SuQPzIU
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) July 22, 2025
Windhorst revealed that Paul understands that he might not get his usual minutes with the Los Angeles Clippers.
“He has understood that. He understands that he will be in that spot that he hasn’t been. He wants to be on a competitive team.”
Paul will have a different role for the first time in his career.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
