Report: Chris Paul called out teammates, coaches before Clippers parted ways

The Chris Paul story somehow keeps getting messier.

A league source told the Los Angeles Times’ Broderick Turner that Paul “called out” teammates, coaches and even president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank during his brief return to the Clippers.

According to the source, Paul eventually apologized — but “everyone was fed up.”

It aligns with what multiple outlets have reported over the past 48 hours. ESPN’s Shams Charania said the Clippers felt Paul had become “disruptive” in his efforts to vocally hold players, coaches and front-office members accountable.

Former Clipper Lou Williams said Paul had “criticisms” of the staff and wasn’t shy about delivering them. And sources confirmed to The Athletic’s Law Murray that the decision to move on from the 12-time All-Star was not Paul’s and not initiated by him.

The tension reportedly reached the point where head coach Tyronn Lue and Paul weren’t speaking for several weeks. Charania added that Paul even requested a meeting with Lue to clear the air, and was denied.

Frank pushed back on any implication that Lue’s job was in danger, telling reporters Tuesday that Lue is a “hell of a coach” who “will be here for a long time.”

As for Paul’s future, it’s complicated. At age 40, coming off a stretch where he averaged just 2.9 points and 3.3 assists, and with a reputation as a “powerful” and demanding voice, Turner wrote there’s no guarantee another team will sign him once the Clippers formally cut ties.

For now, Paul waits and the Clippers limp forward at 5-16, still sorting through the fallout.