When the Los Angeles Clippers unexpectedly sent future Hall of Famer Chris Paul home on Wednesday, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard were quick to say they had nothing to do with the decision.

"We might need to get everyone in the league on a Zoom and brainstorm some ideas [to fix the Clippers]," one executive joked. "Invite everybody except Sam." The fact the Clippers don't control their draft pick makes this situation far more complicated.

The Clippers aren’t alone, however. They’re only a piece of a much broader story about risk management that has left a plethora of teams exposed to worst-case draft scenarios. The bill is coming due soon in several other situations where unprotected picks or swaps traded in heady moments of star acquisition earlier this decade now hang over teams that should otherwise be starting a rebuild.

The entire Los Angeles Clippers fanbase turned upside down from one decision. Parting ways with Chris Paul brought backlash similar to what the Dallas Mavericks experienced.

The Los Angeles Clippers release 12-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul following the side's dreadful start to the season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently steamrolling their way through the NBA and have the L.A. Clippers to thank.

The Thunder own the LA Clippers ' 2026 first-round pick swap rights. They also have the Utah Jazz 's top-eight protected first-round pick. Oh, and the Philadelphia 76ers ' top-four protected first-round pick. If you look at Tankathon right now, OKC has three lottery picks.

Blake Griffin offers heartfelt support to a heartbroken Clippers fan amid frustration over the franchise’s treatment of Chris Paul.