Chris Paul Announces Retirement, Capping Off a Legendary 21-Year NBA Career
After 21 seasons of orchestrating offenses, breaking down defenses, and redefining what it means to be a true floor general, Chris Paul is calling it a career. The 12-time All-Star officially announced his retirement on Friday via social media, bringing an end to one of the most decorated and impactful runs in NBA history.
“This is it!” Paul wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post.
“As I write this, it’s hard to really know what to feel, but for once - most people would be surprised - I don’t have the answer! But, mostly I’m filled with so much joy and gratitude!”
That joy is well-earned. Paul, 40, leaves behind a résumé that reads like a blueprint for Hall of Fame greatness.
Second all-time in both assists (12,552) and steals (2,728), trailing only the legendary John Stockton in each category, Paul’s fingerprints are all over the modern point guard era. He didn’t just play the position - he elevated it.
His retirement announcement came on the same day the Toronto Raptors waived him, a move that was expected following last week’s trade deadline. Paul had been acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-team deal involving the Brooklyn Nets - a move driven more by financial strategy than basketball fit. While he technically finishes the season as a Raptor, Paul hasn’t suited up since December 1.
This season, Paul saw limited action - 16 games off the bench, averaging 2.9 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 rebounds. But make no mistake: his numbers this year don’t define his legacy. They’re a footnote to a career built on precision, leadership, and a fierce competitive fire.
From the moment he entered the league, Paul made an impact. Drafted by the then-New Orleans Hornets, he was named Rookie of the Year in 2006.
Over the next two decades, he would go on to become one of the most respected players in the league - a four-time All-NBA First Team selection, five-time assists champion, six-time steals champion, and a perennial All-Defensive presence with seven First Team nods. He even took home MVP honors at the 2013 All-Star Game.
Paul’s career took him across the league, but his influence never wavered. He spent his first six seasons in New Orleans before being traded to the Clippers in 2011, where he helped turn “Lob City” into one of the most exciting shows in basketball. From there, he had impactful stints with the Rockets, Thunder, Suns, Warriors, and Spurs - each stop adding a new chapter to his story.
Though he never captured an NBA championship, Paul came close. His best shot came in 2021, when he led the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals before falling to the Milwaukee Bucks. That run, even in his mid-30s, was a reminder of just how sharp his basketball mind remained and how much he could still command a game.
Paul also shined on the international stage, winning Olympic gold medals with Team USA in 2008 (Beijing) and 2012 (London). In 2021, he was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team - a nod to his place among the game’s all-time greats.
In total, Paul played 1,370 games (1,314 starts), averaging 16.8 points, 9.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per contest. But stats only tell part of the story.
Paul’s impact goes beyond the box score. He was the engine that made teams run smoother, the veteran voice that steadied locker rooms, and the competitor who never backed down - regardless of the moment or the matchup.
Chris Paul didn’t just have a great career - he had a career that shaped the league. And now, as he steps away from the hardwood, the game pauses to salute one of its most cerebral, consistent, and commanding players ever.