Chris Paul Says He’s ‘At Peace with Everything’ After Getting Cut from LA Clippers (Exclusive)

Chris Paul is taking a moment to breathe.

Just days after news broke that he’d been unceremoniously waived by the LA Clippers — shortly after he announced what was expected to be his retirement tour with the team — the 12-time NBA All-Star is trying to process a whirlwind stretch.

Now, he says he’s working through the moment the only way he knows how: by being present.

“Stuff’s been a little crazy in the past few days — to say the least,” Paul, 40, tells PEOPLE exclusively over Zoom during an interview for his snack brand Good Eat’n. “But honestly, I’m home. My daughter had tryouts yesterday. My nephew had a basketball game. My son has a game coming up on the 12th.”

“I have never seen my son play a game in person,” Paul adds. “Not a middle school game, not a high school game. So I’m excited about seeing him play.”

As the news spread, Paul, who’s played 21 seasons in the NBA, didn’t wait for speculation to fill in the gaps. In the middle of the Clippers’ five-game road trip, he addressed it himself with a brief, cryptic Instagram post: “Just found out I’m being sent home,” he wrote, adding a peace sign emoji.

When asked about his initial reaction — and why he chose to share it publicly so quickly — Paul is matter-of-fact.

“I don’t regret anything,” he says. “I was in Atlanta with a whole bunch of family. It was my last time gonna be playing there. That’s life. The whole thing took on a life of its own, you know? But I’m excited to be back here with my family.”

As he looks ahead, Paul says he’s still waiting to see exactly how the rest of the season unfolds. But one feeling has caught him off guard.

“I’m actually at peace with everything,” he says. “More than anything, I’m excited about being around and getting a chance to play a small role in whatever anything looks like next.”

“The game has been amazing to me and my family,” Paul, who’s currently teaming up with WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers on a new flavor chip for his brand, adds. “I wouldn’t even have this opportunity right now — to get to know Paige, to see the next generation — without it.”