Clippers re-introduce Chris Paul, who calls return 'no-brainer' - ESPN

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Eight years after last playing for the franchise and four years since reaching the NBA Finals for the only time in his career by eliminating them, Chris Paul was back in a LA Clippers uniform Monday.

After snapping photos in his familiar No. 3 jersey — updated with a fresh font and sharper colors since his first six seasons in L.A. — and conducting a re-introductory news conference, Paul was greeted by nearly a thousand fans who packed an event space inside Intuit Dome to herald his return.

Before he was treated with «C-P-3!» chants from the crowd, the 40-year-old Paul revealed to reporters his motivation to come back. It wasn't just to play for the team where he was named a five-time All-Star and became the all-time leader in assists, but to be closer to his wife Jada, his son Chris Jr. and his daughter Camryn — who stayed in L.A. as a family while he played in five other cities since being traded to the Houston Rockets in 2017.

«It was a no-brainer,» Paul said. «If I'm really honest, I wanted to get back and play here by any means necessary.»

Paul said his exit from the team nearly a decade ago «wasn't the prettiest thing,» but said he kept a dialogue going with owner Steve Ballmer through his former role as president of the players' union. Last summer, before Intuit opened for its first NBA season, Paul reached out to Ballmer and he provided a personal tour of the new digs.

Just over a week ago, Paul agreed to a one-year, $3.6 veteran minimum deal to play his 21st season in L.A.

While the future Hall of Fame point guard did not commit to 2025-26 being his swan song — «I am approaching [the season] with a lot of excitement, not necessarily what's next,» he said on stage in front of the fans, «I'm