Chris Paul appears ready to close the book on one of the most accomplished point-guard careers in NBA history.
In a video posted on social media Saturday ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers’ game against the Charlotte Hornets, Paul wrote that he is “GRATEFUL for this last one!!” — the clearest indication yet that his 21st NBA season will be his final. The Clippers make only one visit to Charlotte this year, giving the North Carolina native a fitting stage to acknowledge his farewell.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Paul intends to retire at the end of the season.
Back in NC!!! What a ride…Still so much left…GRATEFUL for this last one!! 🤞🏾 pic.twitter.com/1ZaJSqsWRD
— Chris Paul (@CP3) November 22, 2025
Chris Paul Has Been Preparing for This Decision for More Than a Year
Paul, now 40, publicly acknowledged last summer that his career was approaching its natural endpoint. At the American Black Film Festival in July 2024, he reflected on what two decades in the league had cost him.
“I just finished my 20th season, which is a blessing in itself,” Paul said. “I’ve been in the NBA for more than half of my life, which is a blessing. But these years you do not get back with your kids, with your family.”
Despite those remarks, Paul returned to the Clippers on a one-year contract to take one final run at a championship with the franchise he helped transform during the Lob City era. The season has been far from ideal — Los Angeles entered Saturday at 4–11, and Paul is averaging 2.5 points and 3.3 assists across 10 games.
A Career Defined by Lifting Franchises and Mastering the Point Guard Role
Paul entered the NBA as the No. 4 pick in the 2005 draft after two standout seasons at Wake Forest. His impact on the New Orleans Hornets was immediate, delivering a 20-win improvement and earning Rookie of the Year honors. By his third season, the Hornets won 56 games, secured the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, and watched Paul finish second in MVP voting behind Kobe Bryant.
It was the start of a brilliant stretch: nine straight All-Star selections, eight All-NBA nods in nine years, and six top-seven MVP finishes between 2008 and 2016.
His career also intersected with one of the NBA’s most controversial moments. In December 2011, the league — which temporarily owned the Hornets — vetoed a three-team trade that would have sent Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers. NBA spokesman Mike Bass said the league declined the trade “for basketball reasons,” pushing back on claims that other team owners influenced the decision.
Days later, Paul was traded to the Clippers, sparking the Lob City era and delivering six straight playoff appearances. He later guided the Houston Rockets to a 65-win season and a seven-game showdown with the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals before a hamstring injury halted the run.
Paul continued to elevate every stop. He led an overachieving Oklahoma City Thunder roster to the postseason, then moved to the Phoenix Suns, pushing them to the NBA Finals and a franchise-record 64 wins. He accepted a bench role with the Golden State Warriors before playing all 82 games with the San Antonio Spurs, shooting 37.7 percent from deep and averaging 7.4 assists.
Chris Paul has 12,532 assists!
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) November 22, 2025
Here are a few of his best ones… pic.twitter.com/ndT4AfCnFg
Chris Paul’s Hall of Fame Legacy Set in Stone
Paul retires as a 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA selection, and nine-time All-Defensive honoree. He ranks second in NBA history in assists and steals, trailing only John Stockton in both categories. Only LeBron James has logged more career games and minutes among active players.
Just months ago, Paul told ESPN’s Malika Andrews he had not ruled out playing beyond this season. But his message from his home state suggests clarity has arrived.
Across 21 seasons, Paul shaped the modern point-guard standard through precision, leadership, and relentless competitiveness. Now, with a quiet sign-off before a familiar crowd, he has all but confirmed that his final chapter has begun — and the basketball world prepares to honor one of its all-time greats.
