Sources confirm that LA Clippers guard Chris Paul will retire after completing his 21st NBA season. At age 40, Paul’s retirement marks the end of a storied career distinguished by numerous accolades and milestones.
Known as “the Point God,” Paul is a 12-time All-Star and has earned 11 All-NBA team selections along with nine All-Defensive team honors. He was named Rookie of the Year and is a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, highlighting his sustained excellence.
Paul is the NBA’s active leader in both assists and steals, ranking second all-time behind John Stockton in these categories. He led the league five times in assists per game and six times in steals per game. Across his career, he averaged 16.9 points and 9.2 assists per game.
Drafted fourth overall by New Orleans in the 2005 NBA Draft from Wake Forest, Chris Paul has consistently impacted every team he played for. He and LeBron James remain the only players in NBA history with at least 20,000 career points and 10,000 career assists, underscoring his remarkable dual-threat capability.
Paul spent six seasons with the Hornets before a complicated trade saga brought him to the Clippers. There, he helped create the “Lob City” era alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, delivering the Clippers’ longest sustained success period.
His subsequent moves included trades to the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and the San Antonio Spurs in his veteran years. While with the Suns, Paul made his only NBA Finals appearance in 2021, a hard-fought loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games.
Returning to the Clippers this offseason, Paul appeared in 11 games, signaling a closing chapter in his career. On social media, he reflected on his journey, stating, “What a ride…Still so much left…GRATEFUL for this last one!!”
Paul’s leadership and veteran presence have influenced many younger players, notably mentoring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during his time in Oklahoma City. His decision to retire concludes one of the most respected and impactful careers in NBA history.
