Clippers Face Reality About Chris Paul's Performance
With decades of NBA history, the LA Clippers should have known that the only 40-year-old player consistently performing at an elite level is LeBron James. Yet, the Clippers signed Chris Paul, who is the same age, hoping to manage his minutes during the regular season and expect occasional standout performances in the playoffs.
Early Season Expectations vs. Reality
After four games in the 2025-26 regular season, including Paul's debut in Salt Lake City, it became clear that these expectations were overly optimistic. Paul's four points and four assists were less concerning than his shooting efficiency, as he made only 1 of 5 field goal attempts.
Value Beyond Stats
"Paul's veteran voice and high IQ will be needed, but consistency will be his biggest challenge over the Clippers' next 78 games."
Team Rotation Challenges
When the Clippers had their full lineup, coach Tyronn Lue kept Bogdan Bogdanovic as the one player not in the rotation. However, when guard Bradley Beal missed games three and four, the team had to stretch their ten-man rotation with four veteran guards and no room left to add another.
Current Availability
All eleven Clippers players are now available, which means future "Did Not Play" (DNP) decisions will likely be coach-driven.
Author's Summary
The Clippers are realizing that managing a 40-year-old Chris Paul requires adjusting expectations, as consistent high-level play at his age proves difficult despite his valuable leadership.