Clippers assistant Jeff Van Gundy, Chris Paul reportedly had multiple verbal run-ins

Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy and veteran guard Chris Paul had multiple verbal dust-ups this season, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.

One of those exchanges stemmed from a late-game moment during Los Angeles’ November 29 loss to the Mavericks.

Haynes said Paul approached Kawhi Leonard during a fourth-quarter timeout and suggested the Clippers switch Leonard off Klay Thompson, noting that Leonard was on a minutes restriction and had just checked back in cold.

The Clippers adjusted the matchup, but the suggestion didn’t sit well with Van Gundy.

“The next day, Jeff Van Gundy called a meeting with Chris Paul on the plane,” Haynes said. “He asked Paul if he changed the defensive assignment. Paul said he hadn’t — only that he suggested someone else guard Klay until Kawhi warmed up.”

According to Haynes, Van Gundy responded by telling Paul, “You might have had leeway in other places… but you don’t have that leeway here.”

Haynes described the moment as one of “a few” verbal incidents between the two.

Paul appeared in 16 games for the Clippers, averaging 2.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He was sent home during the team’s recent trip to Atlanta as tensions escalated.

Team sources told Ashish Mathur of DallasHoopsJournal that Kawhi Leonard and James Harden had grown “sick and tired” of Paul’s persistent criticism of players, coaches and front office staff.

To move on from Paul, the Clippers must waive him and absorb his $3.6 million salary, agree to a buyout, or wait until December 15 when he becomes trade-eligible.