The Los Angeles Clippers made headlines on Monday by reuniting with 40-year-old Chris Paul. However, not everyone is applauding the move.
On NBA Today, ESPN analyst and former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins unleashed a scathing critique of the franchise’s direction, calling out owner Steve Ballmer and labeling the team “the nursing home for the NBA.”
“Congratulations to Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles Clippers,” Perkins said with biting sarcasm. “They have officially become the nursing home for the NBA for the players that are on the back end of their careers. No, I’m serious—because if we think that this is about to move the needle for the Clippers as far as being a competitor, not just a title contender, but competing in the tough Western Conference, it’s not”.
Perk on CP3 to the Clips:
“Congratulations to Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles Clippers. They have officially become the nursing home for the NBA for the players that are on the backend of their career. The Clippers look old” pic.twitter.com/FvClR6ajFt
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) July 22, 2025
Perkins’ comments come in response to the Clippers’ decision to sign Paul to a one-year deal, bringing the veteran point guard back to the franchise where he starred during the “Lob City” era. Paul joins a roster already stacked with aging stars, including James Harden (36), Kawhi Leonard (34), Brook Lopez (37), and Nicolas Batum (nearly 37). The team also added Bradley Beal, whose durability has been a concern in recent seasons.
While Clippers president Lawrence Frank praised Paul’s return as “appropriate” and “impactful,” Perkins wasn’t convinced. He acknowledged Paul’s value as a locker room leader and bench playmaker, but questioned whether the team’s overall makeup could withstand the rigors of the Western Conference.
“Offensively, they got enough to put up points. They’re going to have a good regular season,” Perkins said. “But when it comes down to them competing in the Western Conference, especially when they get postseason time, can they compete with the likes of Houston, OKC, Denver, even the Lakers now? I just don’t see it”.
Perkins also pointed to the Clippers’ lack of wing depth and defensive versatility, suggesting that the team’s reliance on aging stars could backfire when injuries inevitably strike. Leonard and Beal, in particular, have struggled to stay healthy, and Harden’s postseason track record remains a question mark.
The Clippers, meanwhile, are banking on experience and chemistry to carry them through. Paul’s reunion with Harden marks a full-circle moment, but whether it translates into playoff success remains to be seen.
However, one thing’s certain. If the Clippers stumble this season, “nursing home” might become more than just a soundbit, it could be the defining metaphor of their campaign.
