Anshari TaslimLos Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul, widely regarded as one of the most influential point guards in National Basketball Association (NBA) history, has announced his intention to retire following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. The impending decision was reported by ESPN, coming after Paul, 40, alluded to his plans in a social media post on Saturday. The post coincided with his final regular-season game in his home state of North Carolina, where the Clippers were scheduled to face the Charlotte Hornets.
Paul’s journey in the NBA began with immediate impact. He was selected as the No. 4 overall pick by the New Orleans Hornets in the 2005 NBA Draft, following a standout collegiate career at Wake Forest University. His rookie season saw him earn the Rookie of the Year award, signaling the arrival of a generational talent. Over what will be a 21-year career, Paul has amassed a remarkable collection of individual accolades, including 12 All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA team honors, and nine All-Defensive team recognitions. His consistent excellence across two decades earned him a place among the NBA’s 75 Greatest Players.
Throughout his career, Paul has been synonymous with exceptional leadership, elite playmaking, and tenacious defensive prowess. His career averages stand at 16.9 points, 9.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game, demonstrating his all-around contribution. He has maintained efficient shooting percentages, connecting on 46.9% of his field goal attempts and 36.9% from beyond the arc.
Paul’s career trajectory saw him become the foundational player for multiple franchises, consistently elevating team performance wherever he played. After his tenure with the New Orleans Hornets (which included a temporary relocation to Oklahoma City following Hurricane Katrina), he joined the Los Angeles Clippers in 2011, ushering in the "Lob City" era. Alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, Paul transformed the Clippers into a perennial playoff contender, though the team ultimately fell short of reaching the Conference Finals during his time there. His six seasons with the Clippers solidified his reputation as an elite floor general, renowned for his court vision and clutch play.
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Following his departure from Los Angeles in 2017, Paul embarked on a series of impactful stints with other contenders. He spent two seasons with the Houston Rockets, famously partnering with James Harden to lead the team to a franchise-best 65-win season in 2017-18. That year, the Rockets pushed the Golden State Warriors to seven games in a highly competitive Western Conference Finals, with Paul missing the decisive games due to a hamstring injury – a moment often cited as one of his closest brushes with an NBA Finals appearance.
He then moved to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2019-20 season, where he orchestrated a surprising playoff run with a young roster, showcasing his veteran leadership and ability to revitalize a team. This was followed by a pivotal move to the Phoenix Suns in 2020. In Phoenix, Paul played a crucial role in transforming the franchise, leading them to the NBA Finals in 2021, their first appearance since 1993. Although they ultimately lost to the Milwaukee Bucks, Paul’s mentorship of young stars like Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, coupled with his late-game execution, solidified his legacy as a winner. After two more playoff runs with the Suns, he joined the Golden State Warriors for the 2023-24 season, adapting to a new role off the bench and providing invaluable experience to the storied franchise. He is currently a guard for the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2025-26 season, which he has confirmed will be his last.
Statistically, Paul stands among the game’s all-time greats. He ranks second all-time in both assists, with 12,532 to date, and steals, with 2,727. He has led the league in assists five times and in steals an impressive six times, underscoring his dual threat as a playmaker and defender. His remarkable assist-to-turnover ratio throughout his career also highlights his exceptional ball control and decision-making.
Despite his unparalleled longevity, consistency, and statistical achievements, a coveted NBA championship has eluded Paul throughout his career. This fact is frequently a point of discussion when assessing his otherwise indisputable Hall of Fame credentials. While the absence of a ring often dominates popular narratives, many analysts and peers contend that his profound impact on team success, leadership, and overall contributions to the game far outweigh this single metric. A recent analysis by CBS Sports noted that "Chris Paul will retire without a ring — but his career proves he was one of the NBA’s greatest winners."
In his final season, Paul finds himself contributing to a Los Angeles Clippers team currently navigating a challenging period. The Clippers hold a 4-11 record, having lost three straight games and sitting one game outside the 10th spot for the play-in tournament. Paul has appeared in 10 games this season, primarily coming off the bench. In 13.7 minutes per contest, he has averaged 2.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.0 steals, providing veteran leadership and experience as the team attempts to stabilize its season. The current struggles of the Clippers have been a subject of considerable media attention, with discussions focusing on the team’s disappointing record and playoff odds.
Paul also holds the distinction of ranking sixth all-time in career games played without an NBA Finals appearance, a list he is likely to climb further by the end of his final season. This list includes other legendary players who, despite illustrious careers, never captured a championship:
| 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 |
Even without an NBA title, Paul is considered a virtual certainty for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His career is a testament to durability and consistency, from his early days as a dynamic Rookie of the Year with New Orleans to his multiple All-NBA selections with the Clippers and his pivotal leadership roles on numerous playoff-bound teams across the league.
Beyond his on-court achievements, Paul has left an indelible mark on the NBA through his leadership off the court. He served as the president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) from 2013 to 2021. During his tenure, he played a critical role in shaping labor negotiations, advocating for social justice initiatives, and diligently representing the interests of NBA players. His influence extended to critical Collective Bargaining Agreement discussions and various league-wide campaigns, solidifying his legacy as a player-advocate.
Chris Paul’s forthcoming retirement marks the end of an era for one of the league’s most respected and impactful figures. His legacy, defined by relentless competitiveness, unparalleled court vision, defensive tenacity, and profound leadership both on and off the court, extends far beyond mere statistics, leaving an enduring imprint on the NBA and the sport of basketball itself.
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