India, Sept. 6 -- Chris Paul's return to the Los Angeles Clippers last summer was expected to be a fitting final chapter for the veteran guard, allowing him to finish his NBA career with the team where he enjoyed some of his best years. Instead, the reunion quickly turned sour. The Clippers struggled badly to begin the season, while Paul reportedly found himself at odds with coaches and management over what they viewed as his "disruptive" leadership approach. Paul later described the way the Clippers handled his final season as one of the most disrespectful experiences of his career.

The situation became even more contentious after the Clippers were punished by the NBA in connection with its investigation into Kawhi Leonard's salary-cap ...