The Athletic NBA Daily: Emergency Giannis Trade Request + CP3 is GONE | Morning Shoot Around
Date: December 3, 2025
Hosts: Andrew Schlecht, Dave DuFour, Ikeda, Esper Hennessy
Episode Overview
This emergency episode recaps two seismic NBA developments breaking overnight:
- The Los Angeles Clippers abruptly parting ways with Chris Paul (CP3), reportedly due to friction in the locker room and issues of accountability.
- The bombshell news—driven by a “Shams bomb” mid-episode—that Giannis Antetokounmpo has requested a trade and has begun discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks about his future.
The hosts dissect the Clippers’ dysfunction, CP3’s place in NBA history, the broader problem of organizational accountability, the Clippers’ disastrous asset management, and the huge ripple effects of a potential Giannis trade on the NBA landscape.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Chris Paul–Clippers Saga
[02:17–15:14]
- Shock and Disbelief at CP3’s Ouster:
- Chris Paul was reportedly sent home by the Clippers overnight, despite expectations he would finish his career and retire as a Clipper.
- The move is branded as extremely disrespectful, especially given Paul’s Hall of Fame credentials and previous expectations of a “retirement tour.”
- Allegations of ‘Disruptive’ Leadership:
- CP3’s push for accountability within the organization reportedly clashed with others, including stars (such as Kawhi Leonard), coach Ty Lue, and lead executive Lawrence Frank.
- Notable Quote:
“A guy was like, ‘hey, we should keep players and teams and the front office accountable.’ And they’re like, ‘We don’t like that…’”
— Dave DuFour [03:54] - Hosts found the Clippers’ reasoning baffling and saw it as a self-own: “It’s just the Clippers telling on themselves for their process.” — Dave DuFour [04:25]
- Longstanding Organizational Problems:
- The Clippers’ history of mishandling player exits (Blake Griffin, Shea Gilgeous-Alexander, Eric Bledsoe, John Wall) is recounted to show a troubling pattern of disrespect and lack of transparency.
- Deficiencies in communication, accountability, and internal culture are spotlighted.
[08:01–10:32]
- Media, Fans, and Perception:
- Public backlash is strong due to the lack of decorum in how CP3 was treated.
- “It only looks bad on the Clippers… it looks like covering your ass, frankly.”
— Ikeda [09:38] - Even those who’ve feuded with CP3 (e.g., referee Scott Foster) would side with him here, the hosts joke.
[12:04–14:05]
- Long-Term Impact on Clippers’ Appeal:
- The mishandling of stars makes L.A. a less attractive free-agent and trade destination.
- Comparison with Lakers and Warriors, who are deemed much better at treating players with respect and building a positive culture.
2. Clippers’ Asset Mismanagement and Their Bleak Outlook
[14:05–19:49]
- Terrible Draft Record:
- Since Lawrence Frank became GM, the Clippers have had eight top-35 picks, with only SGA (acquired via draft-night trade) becoming a star. The rest—Jerome Robinson, Fiondu Cabangale, Daniel Oturu, Keon Johnson, Jason Preston, Kobe Brown, Niedenhauser—have been disappointments or have left the league.
- Notable Quote:
“If Sam [Presti] calls… you just send that to voicemail, my friend.”
— Andrew Schlecht [17:55]
- Disastrous Trades:
- The SGA-for-Paul George deal is labeled one of NBA history’s worst, with repercussions still benefiting the Thunder (and potentially enabling multiple lottery picks in 2026 and 2027).
- Notable Quote:
“So much of what OKC is now is brought to you by the failures of the LA Clippers.”
— Dave DuFour [18:44]
- Team Culture and Front Office Critique:
- Lawrence Frank’s draft and trade record comes under particularly heavy fire, with the sense he can’t be trusted to manage any impending retool or rebuild.
- Front office’s motives seem more about resetting financials than truly rebuilding.
3. What’s Next for the Clippers and CP3?
[19:49–26:56]
- Trade or Buyout? Next Steps for the Roster:
- The hosts discuss scenarios in which the Clippers could trade veterans like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden for assets, but see little hope of real return or cultural reset.
- Harden is recognized as more tradable than Kawhi, due to current play and contract structure.
- What Does the CP3 Exit Mean?:
- CP3’s likely destinations are debated, including the Lakers, Thunder (for a poetic finish), Timberwolves, and others.
- Notable Moment:
“Would Sam Presti want to rob the Clippers one more time?”
— Ikeda [27:54]
- Potential CP3 Roles:
- The idea of CP3 as a veteran presence, even more as a coach than as a player, is entertained. The sadness of his potential unceremonious exit is noted.
- Notable Quote:
“He just wanted a farewell tour, man.”
— Dave DuFour [36:51]
4. The ‘Shams Bomb’: Giannis Requests Trade
[48:18–55:55]
- Breaking News Reaction:
- The episode receives live word (from Shams Charania) that Giannis Antetokounmpo and his representatives are now discussing his future with Milwaukee. A resolution is expected in weeks.
- Notable Moment:
“They have just started conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks… a resolution is expected in the coming weeks.”
— Esper Hennessy [48:33] - Host reactions: Shock, but sense of inevitability due to Bucks’ decline and their recent loss to the Wizards.
- Possible Destinations:
- Thunder have the Clippers picks/youngsters to trade, but hosts agree the Thunder wouldn’t mortgage their decade-long window for a star when they’re already 21–1 (“What are they going to do, win the title harder this year?” – Andrew Schlecht [54:59]).
- The Atlanta Hawks are identified as the “no brainer” destination: they can keep Trae Young, add Giannis, and instantly become East favorites.
- Offer Packages and CBA Considerations:
- Potential builds for winning offers: Hawks could offer Porzingis, young prospects, and multiple firsts; Thunder could technically structure a deal but won’t due to their philosophy.
- Several other teams (Rockets, Wolves, Warriors, Lakers, Nets) are mentioned, but none are seen as especially realistic due to asset limitations or fit.
- NBA Balance and Narrative:
- Urges for Giannis to stay East, to preserve league parity and TV ratings.
- Expectation of further trade dominoes, with Miles Turner, others likely to move as a result.
5. Wider NBA Context, Culture & Humor
[41:51–44:59]
- Recurring Jokes and Conspiracy Theorizing:
- The panel humorously floats that CP3 was secretly Adam Silver’s “inside man,” aiming to police the Clippers’ shenanigans amid the Aspiration scandal.
- The show’s tone is irreverent: tinfoil hat jokes, pop culture banter (Tonight Show), and “tankathon spins” to close.
- NBA Power Players & Off-court Drama:
- The “tankathon” lottery simulation underlines that the league’s fate is increasingly determined by front-office decisions, not just players’ on-court actions.
- Sense of the Clippers as tragicomedy—a franchise boxed in by their own missteps.
Timestamps for Major Segments
| Segment | Timestamps | |------------------------------------------------|:-----------:| | CP3’s Clippers exit: reaction & analysis | 02:17–14:05 | | Clippers’ asset management & future | 14:05–19:49 | | CP3’s legacy, next destinations post-Clippers | 26:56–37:08 | | Live: Giannis trade reports (“Shams bomb”) | 48:18–55:55 | | Potential Giannis destinations & trade ideas | 52:01–59:59 | | Humor, NBA culture, Tankathon, closing banter | 41:51–47:16 |
Notable Quotes
-
On CP3’s 'Disruptive' Leadership:
“It just feels like organizationally they operate like that. This is an insane way to tell on yourself.”
— Dave DuFour [04:25] -
On the Clippers’ Reputation:
“Why would I choose the Clippers? ... the track record…”
— Esper Hennessy [12:22] -
On the SGA Trade:
“Lawrence Frank, you gotta hang up the phone if Sam [Presti] calls.”
— Andrew Schlecht [17:55] -
On the Bucks and Giannis:
“They have just started conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks about the [former] MVP’s future and discussing whether his best fit is staying or elsewhere.”
— Esper Hennessy, quoting Shams [48:33] -
On OKC’s Not-Interest in Giannis:
“What are they going to do, win the title harder this year?”
— Andrew Schlecht [54:59]
Tonal Notes
The episode is conversational, sharp-witted, and forthright, blending in-depth basketball analysis with a sense of exasperation at Clippers dysfunction and amused astonishment over the league’s latest dramatic turn. The panel is deeply empathetic to Chris Paul, skeptical of the Clippers’ leadership, and animated in responding to Giannis-related trade rumors.
Summary Takeaways & Flow
- The Clippers’ ouster of CP3 is denounced as a culmination of organizational dysfunction and pettiness—a bad look for current/future stars.
- LA's asset mismanagement continues to haunt them, empowering rivals like the Thunder.
- A historic NBA shake-up is now likely, with Giannis’s trade request poised to alter league balance.
- Atlanta is identified as the leading suitor for Giannis, with many other teams lagging due to assets or fit.
- This is NBA drama in its highest form: stars disrespected, legacy-defining trades looming, and a league driven by madness both on and off the court.
- The panel closes with gallows humor, lottery simulations, and a sense that, above all: “God, I love the NBA.”