Chris Paul to Retire After This Season

Chris Paul to hang up his sneakers after this season

Veteran point guard Chris Paul has decided this will be his final NBA season, according to reports. The Wake Forest product, a fourth overall pick in 2005, finishes a remarkable 21-year career this year as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers.

A long run of leadership and big moments

Paul burst onto the scene as Rookie of the Year in 2006, immediately setting the tone with elite playmaking and defensive instincts. He spent his early years as the cornerstone of the New Orleans franchise, regularly leading the team in assists and steals and turning them into a consistent playoff club.

In 2011 a proposed trade to the Los Angeles Lakers was ultimately vetoed by the league, and Paul instead wound up with the Clippers. He helped transform that franchise into a perennial contender alongside teammates known for their high-flying style, a stretch that became one of the defining chapters of his career.

Over the years Paul also had stops in Houston, Oklahoma City and Phoenix. In Phoenix he reached the NBA Finals for the first time in the 2020–21 season and played a major role in getting the Suns to that stage. He later spent single seasons with Golden State and San Antonio before rejoining the Clippers ahead of the 2025–26 season.

Throughout his career Paul was prized for his basketball IQ, leadership and ability to elevate teammates. Those traits, more than flashy stats, are what made him one of the most respected floor generals of his generation.

Achievements-wise, Paul is a 12-time All-Star, a multi-time All-NBA selection and a frequent member of NBA All-Defensive teams. He led the league in assists in multiple seasons and topped the steals leaderboard several times.

Statistically, Paul finished with career averages of roughly 17 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals per game. He ranks second all-time in both career assists and steals, trailing only one other Hall of Famer in each category.

This season will close the book on one of the most consistent and influential careers of the modern era. Fans, teammates and rivals alike will remember him as a premier playmaker and leader who left a major mark on the game.