Many were surprised when theLos Angeles Clippersannounced that Chris Paul was no longer with the team, including his teammates James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, who expressed surprise at learning Paul had been sent home.
TheClippers decided to part ways with Paulafter a reported three-hour discussion between Lawrence Frank, the president of basketball operations, and Paul at the team hotel in Atlanta before their game against the Hawks on Wednesday.
Frank emphasized that the decision to let Paul go was not due to a single incident; however,ESPN reportedthat the ongoing tension between Paul andhead coach Ty Luehas been cited as a potential significant contributing factor, given how disruptive the relationship has been to the team.
"I'm just as confused and shocked as everyone else in the world," Harden said after the Clippersdefeated the Hawkson Wednesday, Nov. 3. "It definitely took me by surprise. It's not just about Chris; there were many things we were dealing with. However, that's out of my hands. I need to focus on what I can control. I suppose the front office believed that was the best decision for the organization."
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"It was shocking to me," Leonard said. "I guess they had a conversation, and front office made a decision."
Paulannouncedon social media earlier this monththat he would retirefrom the NBA after 21 seasons.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:James Harden and Kawhi Leonard shocked by Chris Paul's departure