

Tue Dec 9 8:27pm ET
Field Level Media
Chris Paul was stunned to be released by the Los Angeles Clippers in the wee hours of the morning in Atlanta last Wednesday.
But he's become more surprised that he's experiencing calmness about the situation as he waits to see if he will continue his 21-season NBA career.
"I'm actually at peace with everything," Paul told PEOPLE.com on Tuesday. "More than anything, I'm excited about being around and getting a chance to play a small role in whatever anything looks like next."
The 12-time All-Star was sent packing in a humbling manner as apparent difference of opinions between himself and management simmered. There were reports that Paul and coach Tyronn Lue were not on speaking terms and that Paul's abrasive style of communicating alienated some players.
The surprise move came after Paul returned to the Clippers - he starred for the franchise from 2011-17 - as a sendoff to his career. He has announced his retirement after the season.
Paul released the initial news of his own departure - "Just Found Out I'm Being Sent Home," he wrote on Instagram - and said he doesn't lament that decision.
"I don't regret anything," Paul says. "I was in Atlanta with a whole bunch of family. It was my last time gonna be playing there. That's life. The whole thing took on a life of its own, you know? But I'm excited to be back here with my family."
Paul, 40, sees the chance to be more involved with his family as a blessing.
"Stuff's been a little crazy in the past few days - to say the least," Paul said. "But honestly, I'm home. My daughter had tryouts yesterday. My nephew had a basketball game. My son has a game coming up on the 12th.
"I have never seen my son play a game in person. Not a middle school game, not a high school game. So I'm excited about seeing him play."
This season, Paul averaged 2.9 points, 3.3 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 16 games off the bench.
Paul ranks second in NBA history in assists with 12,552 and second in steals with 2,728, trailing only Hall of Famer John Stockton in both categories.
Paul, then with New Orleans, was named Rookie of the Year in 2006. He is a four-time All-NBA first-team selection, five-time NBA assists champion and six-time steals champion. A member of seven first-team all-defensive teams, he also was the MVP of the 2013 All-Star Game. Paul was named to the NBA's 75th anniversary team in 2021 and won Olympic gold medals with the United States in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.
He played with New Orleans for six seasons, then was traded to the Clippers in 2011. He later played for the Houston Rockets (2017-19), Oklahoma City Thunder (2019-20), Phoenix Suns (2020-23), Golden State Warriors (2023-24) and San Antonio Spurs (2024-25).
Paul has career averages of 16.8 points, 9.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 1,370 (1,314 starts). He has not won an NBA title, getting to the NBA Finals only once, when his Suns lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (illness) is questionable for Monday's game against the Mavericks and could miss time depending on how he responds at shootaround. If he sits, rookie guard Jeremiah Fears could see more minutes after posting nine points with three three-pointers and one rebound in 13 minutes off the bench last game. Fears is a speculative deep-league streamer for managers needing points and threes. Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson would likely take on more playmaking responsibilities.
Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun (back) is questionable for Monday's matchup against the Lakers and could miss a second straight game due to low back pain. His absence would open frontcourt minutes, with Dorian Finney-Smith logging 27 minutes as a spot starter last game, finishing with four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block, while Clint Capela produced nine points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and four blocks in 22 minutes. Capela looks like a solid defensive streamer for managers needing blocks, while Finney-Smith is more of a deep-league option due to his limited offensive role. Kevin Durant could also see a slight usage bump if Sengun sits, with more scoring responsibility likely falling on his shoulders.
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Trail Blazers, marking his third straight absence as he continues to recover from a right ankle sprain. Danny Wolf should continue seeing a larger role after producing 15 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and one three-pointer in 27 minutes as a starter in the last game. Wolf looks like a solid streaming option. Ziaire Williams and Josh Minott could also see more opportunities after combining for 23 points and five three-pointers, though both remain riskier fantasy plays due to fluctuating roles.
New York Knicks forward/center Jeremy Sochan (illness) is available for Sunday's matchup against the Warriors after sitting out Friday. The 22-year-old has played only limited reserve minutes recently, including a three-minute outing March 11 against Utah when he posted four points, one rebound, and one steal. With Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson healthy, Sochan remains buried in the frontcourt rotation. His limited role caps his fantasy value, making him a low-impact option outside of very deep leagues.
Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post (ankle) is available for Sunday's game against the Knicks and could see a larger role with Draymond Green (back), Al Horford (calf), and Kristaps Porzingis (illness) all sidelined. Post logged seven points, three rebounds, and one three-pointer in 12 minutes last game and may see additional frontcourt opportunities alongside Omer Yurtseven. The opportunity is there, but Post remains a low-end fantasy option best suited for deeper leagues needing rebounds or blocks. Gui Santos should also continue seeing heavy minutes with the shorthanded Warriors.
Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter (calf) will remain sidelined Sunday against the Jazz, leaving the Kings thin at point guard with Russell Westbrook (foot) and Malik Monk (ankle) also unavailable. That should keep Killian Hayes in line for extended minutes as Sacramento's only healthy traditional point guard. Hayes posted 11 points, four assists, and one three-pointer in 31 minutes two games ago and could see a similar opportunity again. He remains a low-end fantasy streamer, but the available minutes make him worth consideration in deeper formats. DeMar DeRozan could also see more on-ball creation.
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (ankle) will miss Sunday's game against the Jazz, marking his third straight absence as he continues to deal with ankle soreness. With Monk, Russell Westbrook (foot), and Devin Carter (calf) all unavailable, Killian Hayes and Nique Clifford should continue seeing backcourt minutes. Hayes remains a low-end fantasy streamer due to inconsistent production, while Clifford has been contributing across multiple categories despite inefficient shooting, including 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 35 minutes last game.
Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (foot) will not play Sunday against the Jazz as he sits out the second game of a back-to-back, though he is expected to return Tuesday. His absence should open more minutes for Killian Hayes, who could handle primary point guard duties with Malik Monk (ankle) and Devin Carter (calf) also sidelined. Hayes had 11 points, four assists, and one three-pointer in 31 minutes two games ago and profiles as a low-end fantasy streamer with opportunity on his side. DeMar DeRozan may also take on more ball-handling responsibility.
New York Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart (knee) is available for Sunday's game against the Warriors after missing the team's previous two contests. His return should push Landry Shamet back into a reserve role while restoring Hart's usual workload on the wing. Hart has remained a steady fantasy contributor when active, averaging 12.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.0 steals across his last five games. His rebounding from the wing and across-the-board production make him a solid hold in category leagues, while Shamet likely loses most of his short-term streaming appeal.
New York Knicks forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) will rejoin the lineup on Sunday against the Golden State Warriors. He didn't play in Friday's matchup with Indiana due to knee soreness, but the Knicks haven't listed him on the injury report for Sunday's game. Mitchell Robinson made a massive impact as a starter on Friday night, finishing with 12 points, 22 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. He will return to a reserve role on Sunday, and fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to repeat his effort from Friday's game. In the teams' earlier meeting this season, Towns racked up 17 points and 20 boards, and with the Warriors set to play without Draymond Green (back), Al Horford (calf), and Kristaps Porzingis (illness), he might be in for another dominant outing.
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Ausar Thompson (ankle) has been cleared to return to the lineup on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors. He has missed five games due to a right ankle injury. Detroit has used Marcus Sasser as Thompson's replacement in the starting unit, and he is poised to drop back to the bench. As a reserve, Sasser doesn't have any fantasy value, averaging 4.8 points and 1.8 assists off the bench this season. Thompson is having a career year with the Pistons, posting 10.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (knee) will play on Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He's dealing with a sore right knee but has shaken off a questionable tag. After his poor performance in Tuesday's loss to the Lakers, Edwards has bounced back in style, scoring 78 points across two games. The Timberwolves star has put up 27.7 points per game against the Thunder this season, adding 8.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks.
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) will return to action on Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He has been out for three games due to a left calf contusion. Hartenstein will rejoin the starting lineup, bumping Cason Wallace to the second unit. Wallace will remain an important contributor in the rotation, but his fantasy value takes a hit with Hartenstein's return. In his previous three meetings with the Timberwolves this season, Hartenstein has averaged 9.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in 24.7 minutes.
Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (knee) will sit out Sunday's game against the Knicks as part of injury management on the first night of a back-to-back. With Golden State missing multiple rotation pieces, Pat Spencer, Will Richard, and Gary Payton II could all see enough minutes to draw fantasy interest. Payton finished with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 19 minutes last game, while Spencer added seven points and three assists in 19 minutes. Opportunities should be there, but all three profile as risky fantasy streamers due to uncertain roles.
Golden State Warriors forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) will not play Sunday against the Knicks as the team continues to manage his recent health issues, with a possible return targeted for Monday. His absence, along with injuries to Draymond Green (back) and Al Horford (calf), leaves Golden State thin in the frontcourt. Gui Santos could continue seeing heavy minutes after producing 17 points, three rebounds, eight assists, and one steal in 35 minutes last game, and with how he's trending lately, he looks like a solid fantasy option for the stretch run. Quinten Post (ankle) may also see more run if available, though he remains a risky deep league option given the uncertain rotation.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pacers after suiting up Saturday against the Hawks, where he posted 18 points, seven assists, seven rebounds, two steals, and one block in 30 minutes. The Bucks appear to be managing his workload, with his next chance to play coming Tuesday against the Cavaliers. Ryan Rollins should continue handling a larger role after delivering 22 points, eight assists, three rebounds, and four three-pointers in 31 minutes last game. Rollins has been playing well enough to remain a strong fantasy option entering the final stretch of the season.
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (knee) will miss his fifth straight game Sunday against the Mavericks as he continues to deal with right knee soreness. His absence keeps Thomas Bryant in the backup center role, though he remains more of a fringe fantasy streamer despite posting 11 points, four rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in 22 minutes last game. Evan Mobley should continue handling heavier frontcourt minutes and rebounding duties, boosting his fantasy ceiling, while Donovan Mitchell and James Harden (thumb) may also see slightly more usage with Cleveland leaning more on perimeter scoring.
Utah Jazz center Kyle Filipowski (rest) will not play Sunday against the Kings in what appears to be a scheduled maintenance day. The second-year big had been a regular part of the rotation and rarely inactive this season. His absence could open minutes for Oscar Tshiebwe, who produced eight points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 20 minutes last game, while veteran Kevin Love may also factor into the frontcourt mix. Both remain risky deep-league streamers due to uncertain roles. Cody Williams and Brice Sensabaugh could also see slight usage increases.
Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Kawhi Leonard (ankle) did not return to Saturday's game against the Kings after suffering a left ankle injury in the fourth quarter. He finished with 31 points, six rebounds, and two steals in 26 minutes before exiting. Leonard has been on a strong run lately, averaging 32.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.8 steals over his last five games, making any absence significant for fantasy managers. If he misses time, Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin could take on larger scoring roles, while Kris Dunn may see more backcourt minutes.
Utah Jazz guard/forward Ace Bailey (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Kings after entering the league's concussion protocol following a head injury Friday. With Utah not playing again until Wednesday, the rookie will have added recovery time. Elijah Harkless could see more opportunity after recording 10 points, two three-pointers, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 30 minutes last game, while Andersson Garcia added six points, three rebounds, and two steals in 29 minutes. Harkless and Garcia remain fringe streaming options due to uncertain roles, while Brice Sensabaugh and Isaiah Collier are better bets to absorb additional usage in Bailey's absence.
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