ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Twelve-time All-Star Chris Paul has agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. This move now reunites Paul with a team he spent six years with and was the co-star alongside Blake Griffin during their Lob City era from 2011 to 2017.
All the rumors and speculation around where Paul was going to sign and spend the final year of his career can now be laid to rest. The homecoming for CP3 is one many fans are probably happy to see; however, for Pelicans fans, it brings back some not-so-great memories.
If you are too young to remember December 14th, 2011, that was the day CP3 was dealt to the LA Clippers by the then New Orleans Hornets. In return, New Orleans got Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu, and Minnesota’s unprotected 2012 first-round pick (which later became Austin Rivers). This trade also came just six days after a trade that would have sent Paul to the Lakers was vetoed.
This trade brought immense frustration to the fan base, as not only did they trade away their best player in franchise history, but they also became bottom feeders for the next three seasons.
Seeing Paul back in a Clippers jersey is only going to infuriate Pelicans fans. After drafting Anthony Davis in the 2012 draft, it felt like New Orleans was just one elite point guard away from a special duo. However, instead of throwing lobs to AD in the Big Easy, CP3 was in LA, enjoying the beaches and creating "Lob City" alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.
A new threat in the west
Not only is Paul's return to LA bringing back memories of when he was traded back in 2011, but it also makes the Clippers a bigger threat in the West. The Clippers have added Bradley Beal, John Collins, Brook Lopez, and now Chris Paul to a team that just went seven games with the Denver Nuggets in last year's postseason. That is a scary thought and makes them another huge threat to the Pelicans in the Western Conference this season.
The Clippers took the season series against New Orleans 2-1 last year, and the result may only get worse for the Pelicans after the offseason LA has had.
The Clippers are reloaded and ready to contend, and Paul's return is the finishing touch to an already stacked roster. For long-time Pelicans fans, it's hard not to feel the hurt of history repeating itself. Many fans have moved on from CP3's departure back in 2011, but now that he is returning to the Clippers, that wound has been reopened.