Chris Paul and Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue reportedly stopped communicating several weeks before the unexpected separation announced early Wednesday morning, according to an ESPN report.

Sources informed NBA reporter Shams Charania that the 40-year-old Paul’s approach to leadership was causing friction with the Clippers’ management. The veteran point guard was known for holding executives, coaches, and teammates accountable for their actions.

However, rather than appreciating Paul’s tough love approach, the Clippers, who are currently holding a 5-16 record, perceived his actions as disruptive.

While Paul’s agent did not immediately respond to a request for comment, a Clippers representative provided an official statement from General Manager Lawrence Frank regarding the parting of ways.

“We are parting ways with Chris and he will no longer be with the team,” Frank stated. “We will collaborate with him on the next steps in his career. Chris is a legendary Clipper who has left a historic mark on the team. I want to be clear that no one is holding Chris responsible for our lackluster performance.”

Chris Paul and Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue weren’t on speaking terms for several weeks before their abrupt split in the early hours of Wednesday morning, according to ESPN

‘I accept responsibility for the record we have right now. There are a lot of reasons why we’ve struggled. We’re grateful for the impact Chris has made on the franchise.’

Paul was apparently stunned by the move, posting on Instagram around 2am: ‘Just found out I’m being sent home.’

He recently announced his intention to retire at the end of the season after returning to the Clippers on a one-year, $3.6 million deal. Due to league rules, the Clippers cannot trade him until December 15, although they can waive him if they’re willing to absorb his entire salary for the season.

He and Lue coexisted in the NBA for two decades and spent a season together in LA in 2013-14, when Paul was the unquestioned leader of the team and the Coach was still a rising assistant.

But what was supposed to be Paul’s triumphant return to the Clippers quickly soured as he’s faced inconsistent playing time amid a brutal start for the embattled team.

Meanwhile, Clippers billionaire owner Steve Ballmer has faced accusations of facilitating an under-the-table side deal for team star Kawhi Leonard in an effort to circumvent the NBA’s salary cap. The team has denied the accusations, while Ballmer stated he had no knowledge of Leonard’s alleged $21 million ‘no-show’ endorsement deal with the doomed financial services firm, Aspiration.

The league is investigating the allegations, which were first reported by podcaster Pablo Torre.

In his 21 years in the NBA, Paul has had stints with the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans), Houston Rockets , Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns , Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs , in addition to his two spells with the Clippers.

Paul’s second stint with the Clippers was far less successful than his first in Los Angeles 

Paul and Lue have known each other for at least two decades, but couldn’t find peace in LA

In this 2017 summer league photo, Paul (center right) is seen laughing with Lue (left) 

After playing college basketball at Wake Forest, Paul was selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft.

An impressive return of 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game saw him crowned NBA Rookie of the Year in New Orleans, before he was selected to his first All-Star Game at the end of his sophomore year in 2007.

He was eventually traded to LA for his first spell with the Clippers in 2011, where he spent six years before bouncing around the league with the Rockets, Thunder, Suns, Warriors and Spurs.

The former Wake Forest star re-signed with the Clippers this past offseason on a one-year deal, but has had to settle for a reserve role since returning.

Despite not clinching a title, Paul is considered a shoo-in to one day be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.