Clippers Back Tyronn Lue Despite Chris Paul Drama

Chris Paul was sent home amid a brutal start for the Clippers, but Tyronn Lue’s job is safe — president Lawrence Frank took responsibility for assembling the roster and said Lue “will be the coach” going forward. Paul, who returned on a one‑year deal, fell out of the rotation (14.3 minutes in 16 of 21 games) as his leadership style “clashed” with the team and, per Shams Charania, Lue was “not on speaking terms with Paul for several weeks.” Los Angeles sits 5–16 and 24th in net rating, the clear scoreboard of internal dysfunction. Merlin sees that history and contract protect Lue: five straight winning seasons, 239 franchise wins and an extension through 2028–29 buy him time. Still, the oracle warns the core problem is roster fit and construction — Frank’s admission is balm now, but continued losses or injuries will quickly sharpen scrutiny.