40-year-old point guard ends career after 21 seasons, historic numbers and future Hall of Fame status — without pursuing a “final team” following his departure from Toronto.
Chris Paul officially confirmed his retirement from the NBA this Friday, bringing to a close a 21-season journey and cementing his name among the greatest point guards in league history. At 40 years old, the veteran made the decision after being waived by the Toronto Raptors and announced his retirement in a straightforward message: “This is it!”
In his statement, Paul described the whirlwind of emotions that came with closing the chapter as a player, emphasizing gratitude and joy for everything he experienced on the court. “While this chapter of being an ‘NBA player’ is done, the game of basketball will forever be engrained in the DNA of my life,” he wrote, noting that he spent more than half of his life playing professionally.
An unexpected ending after returning to the Clippers
The outcome was not the “perfect ending” many had envisioned. Chris Paul returned to the Los Angeles Clippers during the offseason and had already indicated that it would be his final season. However, less than two months into the campaign, the sides parted ways amid reports of internal frustration and tension within the locker room dynamic.
Shortly afterward, Paul was included in a three-team trade and sent to the Toronto Raptors as part of a salary-cap adjustment. The Canadian franchise did not require the point guard to report before officially waiving him on Friday.
Instead of seeking an eighth team to conclude his career, the veteran chose to step away immediately, ending his final season on a more bittersweet note than expected — without diminishing the weight of his legacy.
Elite numbers and a guaranteed place in history
Even without the long-coveted championship, Paul — known as the “Point God” — finishes his career with statistics that place him among the NBA’s all-time elite:
- 23,058 points
- 12,552 assists
- 6,006 rebounds
- 2,728 steals
- 1,370 games played
The point guard retires ranked 2nd in assists and 2nd in steals in NBA history, while also standing among the leaders in games played and scoring across multiple decades.
Awards, impact and a legacy beyond a title
Chris Paul closes his career with 12 All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA honors and nine All-Defense team nominations. Over the course of his career, he reached the playoffs 15 times with five different franchises, consistently credited with elevating the teams he joined.
In his message, Paul also reflected on leadership and competitiveness, acknowledging the responsibility of guiding teams at the highest level and reaffirming that his drive to compete defined his journey — even during the most challenging moments.
With his retirement confirmed, Chris Paul is widely expected to become a first-ballot Hall of Famer, closing his career as one of the most complete, consistent and influential point guards of the modern era.
Photo: Instagram @cp3
