Kenyon Martin implies that Chris Paul was a threat to Tyronn Lue

NBA veteran Kenyon Martin raised eyebrows this week when he implied that Chris Paulinterest in became the head coach of the NBA may have contributed to growing tensions with Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue before Pavle was suddenly sent home.

Speaking at Gill’s Arena, Martin compared Paul’s basketball intellect to that of former Nets teammate Jason Kidd, who went straight into coaching after retiring. Martin suggested that Paul sees himself on the same path.

“We’re looking at Chris Paul as maybe a future coach,” Martin said. “I’m not saying I know this for facts, but (I) struggle to think about point guard guys who graduated and had a job next year like Jason Kidd. I think he’s (of) the same caliber. They’re not winning and you’re hitting Ty Lue there.”

Martin, who played with Paul during the Clippers’ 2011-2012 season, went further, calling Paul a “politician” and claiming that “people don’t trust politicians,” an emphatic assessment at a time when reports surfaced that Lue and Paul were no longer on speaking terms. Multiple media outlets later confirmed that Paul’s vocal criticism of the coaching staff created a disruptive environment, as seen by team officials.

The Clippers are making waves after releasing Chris Paul

Those undertones became public when the Clippers parted ways with the 40-year-old guard during the road trip. Paul posted, “Just found out I’m being sent home” on Instagram at 2:40 a.m. ET. He averaged 2.9 points in 16 games. The team went 2–14 in the last 16 contests with him as the backup point guard.

Lue acknowledged that he played a role in the decision. He called Paul a friend, but admitted that “it wasn’t good.” The Clippers insist the move was about performance and chemistry. But Martin’s comments highlight a deeper concern. The perception was that Paul’s coaching ambitions and assertive leadership style clashed directly with Lue’s authority.

For a franchise already struggling to salvage a disastrous start, the fallout raises new questions about the Clippers’ internal stability. Perhaps Paul’s presence was more of a threat than an aid to the team’s free fall.