Chris Paul to make his return to the Clippers wearing No. 3 - ESPN

Chris Paul is not only returning to the LA Clippers but he will be back in his old familiar No. 3 jersey.

Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, said that the franchise's former quarterback of the Lob City era will continue to wear the only jersey number he has ever worn in his 20 years. Bradley Beal, who also has only worn No. 3 in his NBA career with the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns, offered to give the number up to Paul and will decide on his jersey number later.

«He's worn No. 3 his entire NBA career,» Frank said of Beal on Tuesday. «Three All-Star appearances. I think he scored over 17,000 points in jersey No. 3. But he also knows what that jersey means to Chris and there's a reason why he's 'CP3.' And just the significance of Chris coming back to the Clippers. Brad volunteered giving Chris his number.

»Once Brad heard that it was a possibility that Chris was coming, he said, 'I want to give him my number.' And I don't even think Chris knows this yet. So it's awesome that Brad made such a great gesture like that."

Paul is returning to the franchise that he spent six seasons with from 2011-2017. He remains the team's all-time leader in assists and steals per game. But his role will be different in his second stint with the Clippers.

After starting 1,314 of his 1,354 career games and starting all 82 games last season for the San Antonio Spurs, Paul's primary role will be coming off the bench.

«There'll be nights, Chris plays a lot, there'll be nights he does not,» Frank said. «Chris is excited to be here, to be part of the group, to help lead the group and to play when called on.

»… Chris started 82 games last year and was a very, very productive player. So we don't take that lightly when you're