Chris Paul Returns to the Clippers and Recovers his Number 3
Chris Paul is not only returning to the LA Clippers, but he will also wear his iconic number 3 again. Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, announced that the former “Lob City” era point guard will continue to use the only number he has worn in his 20-year career. Bradley Beal, who has also worn the number 3 during his NBA career with the Washington Wizards and the Phoenix Suns, offered to give the number to Paul and will decide which number to use later.Paul, 40 years old, returns to the team he played with for six seasons, from 2011 to 2017. He remains the team leader in assists and steals per game. However, his role will be different in his second stint with the Clippers. After starting in 1,314 of his 1,354 career games and starting in all 82 games last season with the San Antonio Spurs, Paul’s primary role will be to come off the bench. “There will be nights when Chris plays a lot, there will be nights when he doesn’t,” Frank said. “Chris is excited to be here, to be part of the group, to help lead the group, and to play when called upon.” “Chris started in 82 games last year and was a very, very productive player. So we don’t take that lightly when you take on a different role. And there were a lot of conversations, you put everything on the table and make sure everyone feels comfortable with it. But the fact that Chris wanted to come back, wanted to be at home, wanted to be with the Clippers, obviously we know what his skills are, but we also wanted to make sure the role made perfect sense from both people’s perspectives.” Frank said the Clippers consulted with James Harden and Kawhi Leonard about adding Paul. Paul’s signing completes an active offseason for the Clippers. L.A. finalized a new two-year contract with Harden. The Clippers signed Beal after the guard was bought out by the Suns. They added power forward John Collins in a trade that sent Norman Powell to Miami. And they added Brook Lopez in free agency. “They [Harden and Paul] did talk,” Frank said about the possibility of Harden and Paul reuniting. “And in talking to James, in talking to Kawhi, they both said CP would be the best for this role. And I think James just wants to win. And obviously Chris and he played together in Houston, they were one game away from reaching the NBA Finals.” “What James talked about with Chris was his ability to see the court like few others, the leadership skills he brings, the competitiveness and his work ethic and daily focus. He thought Chris would be a great option for the team.”“He used the number 3 throughout his NBA career. Three All-Star appearances. I think he scored more than 17,000 points with the number 3. But he also knows what that number means to Chris and there’s a reason why it’s ‘CP3’. And just the importance of Chris returning to the Clippers. Brad offered to give Chris his number. “Once Brad heard there was a possibility of Chris coming, he said, ‘I want to give him my number.’ And I don’t even think Chris knows yet. So it’s incredible that Brad made such a grand gesture as that.”
Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations
