Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins led the chorus of skeptics, lampooning the Clippers as the “nursing home for the NBA” on national television and social media.

“They have officially become the nursing home for the NBA for the players that are on the backend of their career,” Perkins declared, dismissing the move as more sentimental than strategic and casting doubt on whether Paul’s reunion with L.A. will have any substantive impact on a brutal Western Conference playoff race.

Concerns Over Age, Depth, and Realistic Contention

Perkins’ critique is rooted in hard numbers. The Clippers have leaned heavily into experience this offseason, adding not just 40-year-old Paul, but also veterans like Brook Lopez, Bradley Beal, and John Collins to support stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.

With Harden set to turn 36 and Leonard, Lopez, and Nicolas Batum all north of 34, questions naturally arise about durability and whether this roster can withstand the nightly grind of an 82-game season and long playoff run.

“If we think 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...The Clippers look old,” Perkins added.

Yet, there’s nuance behind the skepticism. Paul’s role will be that of a playmaking reserve, tasked with steadying the second unit and spelling Harden—a function lacking on last season’s roster. While Kris Dunn is praised for his defense, the Clippers lacked an offensive orchestrator off the bench, a gap Paul could fill if he remains healthy.

Last season, Paul proved his endurance and efficiency by starting all 82 games for the Spurs while averaging 8.8 points and 7.4 assists per contest in limited minutes. Clippers president Lawrence Frank called Paul “one of the most impactful players ever to wear a Clippers uniform,” underscoring not just his on-court value but also his leadership and ability to set the tone in the locker room.

Veteran Big Picture: Sentimentality or Savvy?

The gamble for L.A. comes down to balancing nostalgia and necessity. Paul’s return is a sentimental homecoming for both player and franchise—the Clippers’ “Lob City” era, engineered by Paul, transformed the club’s image and expectations a decade ago. But critics like Perkins believe sentiment overrides sound roster building, especially when rivals in the West are trending younger, deeper, and more athletically dynamic.

Some applaud the Clippers for affording Paul a fitting close to his Hall of Fame résumé and see practical value in banking on his savvy in limited minutes. Others worry that the aggregation of aging stars, however decorated, leaves the Clippers exposed to the same pitfalls that have plagued them in previous seasons.