This week, Chris Paul’s return to the Los Angeles Clippers was confirmed—a move long anticipated by fans, given the guard’s significant past with the franchise. However, this new chapter will represent an unprecedented challenge in his NBA career, especially due to the role he’ll be taking next to James Harden.
According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst, Paul agreed to join the Clippers fully aware that he’ll likely have a secondary role throughout the season. “From what I understand, he’s not gonna have guaranteed playing time,” said the ESPN reporter.
As one of the best guards of this century, CP3 has spent the past two decades as a key piece on every team he’s played for—except during his stint with the Golden State Warriors, when he played a secondary role behind Stephen Curry. In fact, even at his age, he played all 82 games last season with the San Antonio Spurs.
Now, however, in Los Angeles, he might be facing a situation he’s never dealt with before. “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 something you’ve never seen from him before,” Windhorst added.
Chris Paul and James Harden playing for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019.
Indeed, during the 2024–25 season, Harden played a vital role for head coach Tyronn Lue, becoming the team’s leader in average minutes played (39.4) and ranking ninth in the league overall. That importance also showed in his numbers, as he averaged 18.7 points, 9.1 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game. Dunn, meanwhile, averaged 21.9 minutes per game.
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Reports indicate that Chris Paul was made aware of his expected role before agreeing to join the Clippers, and he accepted those terms—even if it means ending his NBA career in a way that contrasts with his prime years.
“He has understood that. He understands that he’s gonna be in that spot that he hasn’t,” Windhorst explained, before detailing the reasons Paul still chose to take the opportunity. “He wants to be on a competitive team in the market; he wants to play near his family.”
Another key element in Paul’s return to Los Angeles is his reunion with Harden. The two were teammates on the Houston Rockets from 2017 to 2019, and at the time, there were rumors of a poor relationship between them—some even speculating that Paul’s departure was partly due to that dynamic.
Still, even if those issues did exist and were as significant as rumored, they appear to be in the past. “There had to be an understanding with James Harden,” Brian Windhorst confirmed. “He and James Harden didn’t have the greatest relationship when they were in Houston a few years ago, but Harden is on board with this signing. They went to him with it first.”
If those matters were indeed addressed and everyone is aligned, Chris Paul’s arrival could be a valuable addition for the Clippers, given his talent and experience. And both he and Harden are motivated by a shared goal—capturing their first NBA championship, a mission that could unify their efforts moving forward.
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