Chris Paul, one of the greatest point guards in NBA history and arguably the greatest New Orleans NBA player ever, has officially retired in his 21st season on Friday afternoon.
“While this chapter of being an ‘NBA player’ is done, the game of basketball will forever be engrained in the DNA of my life,” Paul wrote in his announcement. “I’ve been in the NBA for more than half of my life, spanning three decades. It’s crazy even saying that!! Playing basketball for a living has been an unbelievable blessing that also came with lots of responsibility.”
Paul was the No. 4 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets. He spent his rookie season in Oklahoma City due to Hurricane Katrina’s impact on the city. Despite the team’s relocation, Paul helped provide resources to those in need in New Orleans throughout his time in the city.
In 2008, Paul came second in NBA MVP voting to Kobe Bryant. That year, the Hornets also made a run to the Western Conference semifinals.
Paul spent six seasons with the Hornets before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2011. He made four All-Star teams in that span, headlined by his first as the unofficial host of All-Star Weekend in New Orleans in 2008.
Paul was at the center of “Lob City” in Los Angeles alongside current Pelicans center DeAndre Jordan. He won NBA All-Star Game MVP honors in 2013. He later played for various other teams like the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs. He made the NBA Finals with the Suns in 2021, but never won an NBA championship in his career.
Last year, with the uncertainty if that would’ve been his last NBA season, Paul posted a tribute to New Orleans after the Spurs stopped by on a road trip.
“After 20 years, the love for this city has never changed!” Paul wrote in his Instagram caption. “The journey started here, and I’ll always have gratitude for the city of New Orleans.”