NBA Icon Chris Paul Announces Retirement Following 2025-26 Season

Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul, widely recognized as one of the most distinguished point guards in National Basketball Association (NBA) history, has officially announced his intention to retire from professional basketball following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. The announcement, initially reported by ESPN, was preceded by Paul hinting at the decision in a social media post on Saturday, prior to his team’s road game against the Charlotte Hornets in his home state of North Carolina. The impending retirement will cap an illustrious 21-year career for the player known throughout the league as "The Point God."

Paul, who will be 40 years old at the time of his retirement, first entered the NBA as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. Selected by the New Orleans Hornets out of Wake Forest University, he made an immediate and profound impact on the league, earning Rookie of the Year honors in his inaugural season. His exceptional court vision, precise passing, formidable defense, and unparalleled leadership quickly established him as a cornerstone talent. During his initial six seasons with the Hornets (which included a temporary relocation to Oklahoma City following Hurricane Katrina), Paul consistently elevated the franchise, leading them to playoff appearances and solidifying his reputation as a generational talent capable of orchestrating an offense with surgical precision.

In December 2011, Paul was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, a move that dramatically altered the franchise’s trajectory and ushered in the "Lob City" era. Alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, Paul transformed the Clippers into a perennial playoff contender, electrifying audiences with highlight-reel alley-oops and a fast-paced, dynamic offense. During his initial six seasons in Los Angeles, Paul’s leadership and strategic acumen were instrumental in the team’s success, consistently pushing them into the upper echelon of the Western Conference. Despite their regular-season prowess and numerous playoff berths, the Clippers, under Paul’s guidance, famously struggled to advance beyond the Western Conference Semifinals, a recurring narrative that would follow Paul throughout his career.

Following his initial tenure with the Clippers, Paul embarked on a series of impactful stints across several NBA franchises, consistently proving his ability to elevate teams and compete at the highest level. In 2017, he joined the Houston Rockets, forming a potent backcourt duo with James Harden. In his first season with the Rockets, the team achieved a league-best 65 regular-season wins and pushed the formidable Golden State Warriors to seven games in a thrilling Western Conference Finals series, narrowly missing out on an NBA Finals appearance. Paul’s injury in that series proved to be a critical turning point.

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He then moved to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2019-20 season, where he revitalized his career and guided a young, unheralded squad to an unexpected playoff berth, demonstrating his enduring leadership and playmaking abilities. This was followed by a pivotal move to the Phoenix Suns in 2020. Paul’s arrival in Phoenix was transformative, as he played a central role in turning the Suns into a legitimate championship contender. He led them to the 2021 NBA Finals, marking the closest he has ever come to capturing an NBA championship, ultimately falling to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. His influence on young stars like Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton was widely credited for their collective growth and the team’s rapid ascent.

In 2023, Paul joined the Golden State Warriors, adapting to a new role as a veteran presence on a team with established championship pedigree. He provided valuable experience and playmaking off the bench, navigating a challenging season for the Warriors. His tenure with the Warriors was brief, as he was subsequently traded to the San Antonio Spurs in the summer of 2024. After a short period with the Spurs, Paul was waived and subsequently signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, marking his return to the franchise where he experienced significant success, albeit with an unfulfilled championship quest.

Throughout his 21-year career, Paul has amassed an extraordinary collection of individual accolades and statistical achievements. He is a 12-time NBA All-Star, an 11-time All-NBA team selection (four First Team, five Second Team, two Third Team), and a nine-time All-Defensive team honoree (seven First Team, two Second Team). His consistent excellence and impact on both ends of the floor earned him a well-deserved spot on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, recognizing him as one of the greatest players in the league’s history.

Statistically, Paul stands among the elite. He holds career averages of 16.9 points, 9.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game, shooting 46.9% from the field and 36.9% from 3-point range. His playmaking and defensive prowess are particularly evident in his all-time rankings; he currently ranks second all-time in both assists (12,532) and steals (2,727), trailing only John Stockton in both categories. Paul has led the NBA in assists five times and steals an impressive six times, showcasing his enduring impact as a facilitator and defensive disruptor.

Despite his unparalleled longevity, consistency, and individual brilliance, an NBA championship has notably eluded Paul throughout his career. This absence often frames discussions about his legacy, though it is widely acknowledged that his overall body of work makes him a lock for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Paul’s career will likely conclude with him ranking high on the list of players with the most career games played without an NBA Finals appearance, a testament to his sustained excellence in a highly competitive league.

Name	Career games
Vince Carter	1,541
John Stockton	1,504
Karl Malone	1,476
Reggie Miller	1,389
Clifford Robinson	1,380
Chris Paul	1,364

As of the current season, the Clippers find themselves with a challenging 4-11 record, having lost three consecutive games and currently sitting a game out of the 10th spot for the play-in tournament. In his current role with the Clippers, Paul has appeared in 10 games this season, providing veteran leadership off the bench. He is averaging 2.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.0 steals in 13.7 minutes per contest as Los Angeles navigates a difficult stretch in their campaign.

Beyond his on-court contributions, Paul has also left an indelible mark on the league through his leadership in the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). He served as the president of the NBPA from 2013 to 2021, playing a critical role in labor negotiations, advocating for social justice initiatives, and tirelessly representing the interests of his fellow players. His influence in shaping the league’s direction and fostering player unity extended far beyond the statistical achievements of his playing career.

As Chris Paul prepares to embark on his final seasons in the NBA, his legacy is firmly cemented as one of the most influential and impactful point guards the game has ever seen. His combination of skill, leadership, and unwavering competitiveness has left an indelible mark on every team he has played for and on the sport itself, ensuring his place among basketball’s pantheon of greats.