Seven seasons ago, Chris Paul was steering a young, overachieving Oklahoma City Thunder squad to a 44-28 record and a surprise playoff berth. It was supposed to be a transitional year for OKC, but Paul turned it into something more - a season that not only reestablished his status as a top-tier point guard but also laid the groundwork for the rise of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s now one of the league’s premier guards. That one-year stint in OKC wasn’t just a pit stop - it was a masterclass in leadership, mentorship, and maximizing talent.
Fast forward to the 2025-26 season, and the narrative around Paul has shifted dramatically. After being waived by the LA Clippers in early December, the 41-year-old has been sidelined - not due to injury, but because of fit. The Clippers reportedly saw him as more of a deep bench piece, and Paul, a future Hall of Famer, wasn’t interested in fading quietly into a limited role.
Now, he’s on the move again - at least on paper. As part of a three-team trade involving the Clippers, Raptors, and Nets, Paul was sent to Toronto.
But here’s the catch: the Raptors aren’t asking him to report. The move was largely about cap maneuvering, allowing the Clippers to clear a roster spot and save $7 million in luxury tax, per reporting from league insiders.
So what’s next for CP3?
That’s the big question - and right now, there’s no clear answer. Paul has gone from being one of the most respected floor generals in the league to a player without a team, seemingly caught in the cold. It’s a jarring shift for someone whose basketball IQ and leadership have long been considered assets in any locker room.
At his peak, Paul was the engine behind playoff runs in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix, and yes, even Oklahoma City. His ability to control tempo, orchestrate an offense, and elevate teammates has never been in question. But at 41, with declining minutes and a recent dismissal from a contender, front offices are clearly weighing his leadership against the potential complications of adding a veteran who may not embrace a reduced role.
And that’s the tough part. Paul still has the mind for the game.
He still sees plays before they happen. But in a league that’s getting younger, faster, and increasingly reliant on positional versatility, the traditional point guard is a fading archetype - and Paul, for all his brilliance, is a throwback in a modern league.
A reunion with OKC? That door appears closed. The Thunder are thriving with a young, cohesive core, and bringing Paul back - even for nostalgia’s sake - doesn’t align with their current trajectory.
So now, Paul finds himself in unfamiliar territory: unwanted, at least for the moment. It’s a strange and sobering place for a player who’s spent nearly two decades as a franchise cornerstone, All-Star, and perennial playoff presence.
If this is the end - and that’s still a big if - it’s not the storybook finish fans hoped for. No farewell tour.
No final playoff push. Just a quiet, uncertain exit for one of the game’s most cerebral competitors.
But even if the curtain is closing, Paul’s legacy is already cemented. He’s one of the greatest point guards to ever play the game - a maestro with the ball, a relentless competitor, and a mentor who helped shape the next generation of stars.
Whether or not he suits up again, Chris Paul’s impact on the NBA won’t fade anytime soon.