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Chris Paul called it a career last week. His NBA sendoff was far from a fairytale ending.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell surely isn’t happy about it.
“To see [Paul’s] career end the way did, I think it’s BS,” Mitchell told Andscape. “I don’t know. I don’t see all the reports. I don’t know the ins and outs of everything. That’s not my job. But I know when you have a guy like that, there’s a level that he has to be [respected] and he wasn’t given that opportunity, which I think is messed up.”
Paul’s final season was expected to go much differently. The veteran guard returned to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he spent a large chunk of his career during his prime. He is one of the most prominent players to lace them up for the organization.
Eventually, Paul announced he was in the final stage of his career. One season with the Clippers was all he planned to do before hanging it up. The Clippers ended up sending him home after 16 games. That was it. There wasn’t any redemption, and the Clippers were in the midst of a disappointing run.
Paul’s return to LA included averages of 2.9 points and 3.3 assists. It was unlike him, but there wasn’t a second chance in store. Paul was away from the Clippers for months before they finally traded him to the Toronto Raptors. A move to Canada wasn’t in the cards for Paul, who chose the Clippers due to the location.
The Raptors made it clear they would waive him. When they did, there wasn’t a follow-up plan. Chris Paul announced his retirement and decided to go out on a note that many believed was shockingly low.
“He’s a hell of a person. Hell of a point guard. Hell of a player,” Mitchell continued. “He has done so much for this game. As a president of the [players’ union] he’s done so much for us. I was going to pay my respect to CP, because he’s done so much for me, but also for the game of basketball.”
Paul ended his career after 21 seasons. He spent time with the Hornets, Clippers, Rockets, Thunder, Suns, Warriors, and the Spurs. Paul will make it to the Hall of Fame, but his sendoff will remain a frustrating subject to those in the game, as it didn’t go as planned.
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