Chris Paul 'still scarred' by sudden Clippers split

Chris Paul doesn't plan to end his career earlier than intended after the Los Angeles Clippers released the veteran this past week.

However, the 40-year-old guard admitted he's still distraught by the sudden, acrimonious split.

"I'm just staying ready. I'm hooping right now. I don't (know) what's next," Paul told Amazon Prime Video's Chris Haynes. "I'm still scarred by it all. Still processing everything. But I'm staying ready."

The Clippers announced Wednesday that Paul was no longer with the team, having sent him home from Atlanta during a five-game road trip. Paul, a 12-time All-Star and the Clippers' all-time assists leader, said in July that he returned to Los Angeles on a one-year deal to be closer to his family.

In late November, the team suggested in a social media post that Paul would retire after the season - his 21st in the NBA - as a member of the Clippers.

However, the relationship between L.A. and the franchise icon quietly soured behind the scenes this campaign amid rumors that Paul had criticized the front office, coaching staff, and his teammates.

Paul denied those allegations in a meeting with Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank in November, Haynes reports. He also reportedly apologized to teammates for any misunderstandings.

Head coach Tyronn Lue reportedly wasn't on speaking terms with Paul for weeks and refused to meet with the 11-time All-NBA pick during the conflict. On Wednesday, Lue addressed Paul's exit, saying the team "wasn't a good fit for what he was looking for," though he lamented how Paul's stint ended. Clippers stars James Harden and Kawhi Leonard both said the franchise's decision shocked them.