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After 21 seasons of masterfully orchestrating offenses, Chris Paul has officially announced his retirement from the NBA, marking the end of one of the most storied careers in basketball history.<\/p>\n
Paul leaves the floor as a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer, though his final years were defined by a restless search for an elusive championship. Since his lone trip to the NBA Finals in 2021 with the Phoenix Suns<\/a>, Paul\u2019s journey became a whirlwind of short-term stays, as he moved through five different franchises in his final three seasons without returning to a Western Conference or NBA Finals.<\/p>\n Despite the late-career instability and a postseason resume that will forever be scrutinized for its lack of a ring, Paul\u2019s statistical brilliance remains virtually peerless. He retires ranking second all-time in both career assists and steals, trailing only John Stockton, and sits as the fourth-highest-scoring point guard in league history. A 12-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA selection, Paul\u2019s ability to transform struggling rosters into winners was his trademark.<\/p>\n His final chapter concluded in early 2026, following a mid-season trade from the Los Angeles Clippers<\/a> to the Toronto Raptors<\/a>, who subsequently waived the veteran to allow him to step away on his own terms. While the hardware on his finger may be missing, the impact he left on the evolution of the point guard position is indelible. He was the ultimate floor general, a player who could dictate the pace of a game with a single dribble or a pointed gesture.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at Paul\u2019s career and the teams he played for.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0Best players to never win an NBA championship<\/a><\/p>\n Chris Paul NBA teams timelineNew Orleans Hornets (2005\u20132011)<\/p>\n Drafted No. 4 overall in 2005, Paul immediately revitalized a franchise displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Playing many home games in Oklahoma City during his first two years, he won Rookie of the Year and quickly ascended to MVP-caliber status.<\/p>\n By 2008, he led the Hornets<\/a> to a franchise-record 56 wins and the second seed in the West, finishing as the runner-up to Kobe Bryant for the MVP award. His tenure in New Orleans established himself as the league’s premier traditional point guard, leading the NBA in both assists and steals multiple times.<\/p>\n Los Angeles Clippers (2011\u20132017)<\/p>\n After a vetoed trade to the Lakers<\/a>, Paul was sent to the other L.A. team, sparking the “Lob City” era alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. He transformed the Clippers from a perennial league laughingstock into a consistent 50-win juggernaut.<\/p>\n With the Clippers, Paul had one of the best plays, if not the best, of his career when he hit a last-second shot against the San Antonio Spurs<\/a> in Game 7.<\/p>\n \u2757\ufe0f @CP3<\/a> for the SERIES WIN \u2757\ufe0f<\/p>\n Chris Paul wins it for the @LAClippers<\/a> in Game 7! #NBATogetherLive<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/EdjriX8KEg<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n Despite the highlight-reel dunks and regular-season dominance, this era was often defined by heartbreaking playoff exits and ill-timed injuries. While they never reached the conference finals, Paul earned six All-Defensive First Team nods during this stretch.<\/p>\n MORE: Inside look at Chris Paul’s NBA career stats<\/a><\/p>\n Houston Rockets (2017\u20132019)<\/p>\n Joining forces with James Harden, Paul came within one game of the NBA Finals in 2018. The Rockets<\/a> pushed the legendary Golden State Warriors<\/a> to seven games in the Western Conference finals, but a hamstring injury to Paul in the closing moments of Game 5 changed the course of NBA history.<\/p>\n The Rockets fell in Game 7, and the following season saw a decline in team chemistry. Despite the frustration, Paul proved he could adapt his game to a high-volume, perimeter-oriented system while still maintaining elite efficiency.<\/p>\n Oklahoma City Thunder (2019\u20132020)<\/p>\n Widely expected to be a bridge year for a rebuilding team, Paul\u2019s single season in OKC was a masterclass in leadership. He led a young squad to a surprise playoff berth and pushed the Rockets to seven games in the first round.<\/p>\n This season served as a late-career renaissance for Paul, proving to the league that he could still lead a winning culture and mentor the next generation of stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.<\/p>\n Phoenix Suns (2020\u20132023)<\/p>\n Paul\u2019s arrival in Phoenix immediately elevated a young core to the next level. In his first season, he led the Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993. Although they fell to the Bucks<\/a>, Paul achieved several milestones, including becoming the first player to record 20,000 points and 10,000 assists.<\/p>\n What\u2019s your favorite Chris Paul moment? I\u2019ll go first. pic.twitter.com\/HmVzTankKj<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/8P8P96ljiv<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Meteorologist Sam Kuffel (@SamKuffelWx) February 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The following year, he helped Phoenix win a franchise-record 64 games. However, a second-round collapse against Dallas in 2022 signaled the beginning of the end for this core, leading to his eventual departure in the Bradley Beal trade.<\/p>\n Golden State Warriors (2023\u20132024)<\/p>\n In a move that stunned the league, Paul joined his long-time rivals in San Francisco. For the first time in his career, Paul accepted a role off the bench, serving as the leader of the second unit to help manage the workload of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.<\/p>\n While the Warriors struggled with consistency, Paul\u2019s efficiency and veteran presence were credited with stabilizing their young bench talent.<\/p>\n San Antonio Spurs (2024\u20132025)<\/p>\n Paul signed a one-year deal with the Spurs specifically to mentor generational prospect Victor Wembanyama. In a remarkable display of longevity, Paul started all 82 games in his 20th season \u2014 the first player in NBA history to do so at that age. He averaged 7.4 assists per game and was instrumental in Wembanyama’s rapid development before hitting free agency once more.<\/p>\n Los Angeles Clippers (2025\u20132026)<\/p>\n Looking to finish where he started his prime, Paul returned to the Clippers for a farewell tour, joining forces with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. However, the homecoming was short-lived and marred by internal friction.<\/p>\n Chris Paul will NEVER be forgotten \u2764\ufe0f<\/p>\n Thank you CP3 \ud83d\ude4f\ud83d\ude4f<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/IEirr5ROdo<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SleeperHoops (@Sleeper_Hoops) February 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n After just 16 games \u2014 in which he averaged career lows in minutes and points \u2014 the Clippers’ leadership style reportedly clashed with Paul\u2019s vocal demands for accountability, leading the team to send him home in December to await a trade.<\/p>\n Toronto Raptors (2026)<\/p>\n Paul was officially traded to the Raptors on Feb. 5, 2026, as part of a three-team deal designed to help Toronto get under the luxury tax. Paul never reported to the team or suited up in a Raptors jersey, though. On Feb. 13, 2026, the team waived him, paving the way for his immediate retirement announcement during the All-Star break.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0Every Game 7 in NBA Finals history<\/a><\/p>\n How many teams has Chris Paul played for?<\/p>\n Chris Paul played for seven different NBA franchises across his 21-season career. While he was technically a member of an 8th team (the Toronto Raptors) for a week in February 2026, he never reported to the team or suited up for a game before announcing his retirement.<\/p>\n Paul\u2019s legacy is ultimately written in the record books, where his numbers place him in the most exclusive tier of basketball history. He retires ranking second all-time in both career assists and career steals, trailing only John Stockton in both categories.<\/p>\n Chris Paul\u2019s career:<\/p>\n 21 seasons Top _ PG of all time\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/PtPd9wMkXH<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 JVL Basketball (@JVLBasketball) February 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n A 12-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA selection, Paul also boasts two Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012) and was the first player in league history to cross the massive threshold of 20,000 points and 10,000 assists.<\/p>\n While the championship ring remained elusive, his impact as a floor general was validated by his inclusion on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0Every NBA finals MVP<\/a><\/p>\n How many times was Chris Paul traded?<\/p>\n Chris Paul was traded 7 times during his 21-season NBA career.<\/p>\n While he is often praised for his loyalty to his teams in his prime, his late-career journey saw him become one of the most frequently traded superstars in league history. Each move was a major transaction involving multiple players, draft picks and massive salary figures.<\/p>\n Paul was never a free agent for the first 19 years of his career. Every time he changed teams \u2014 from his rookie debut in 2005 until his 2024 signing with the San Antonio Spurs \u2014 it was done via trade. He finally became a free agent for the first time in the summer of 2024 after being waived by the Warriors.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0Which NBA teams have won the most championships?<\/a><\/p>\n Chris Paul teams by yearYearTeamRecordPPGAPGFinish2005\u201306New Orleans Hornets38\u20134416.17.84th Southwest (Missed Playoffs)2006\u201307New Orleans Hornets39\u20134317.38.94th Southwest (Missed Playoffs)2007\u201308New Orleans Hornets56\u20132621.111.62nd West (Lost Conf. Semis)2008\u201309New Orleans Hornets49\u20133322.811.07th West (Lost 1st Rd)2009\u201310New Orleans Hornets37\u20134518.710.75th Southwest (Missed Playoffs)2010\u201311New Orleans Hornets46\u20133615.99.87th West (Lost 1st Rd)2011\u201312L.A. Clippers40\u20132619.89.15th West (Lost Conf. Semis)2012\u201313L.A. Clippers56\u20132616.99.74th West (Lost 1st Rd)2013\u201314L.A. Clippers57\u20132519.110.73rd West (Lost Conf. Semis)2014\u201315L.A. Clippers56\u20132619.110.23rd West (Lost Conf. Semis)2015\u201316L.A. Clippers53\u20132919.510.04th West (Lost 1st Rd)2016\u201317L.A. Clippers51\u20133118.19.24th West (Lost 1st Rd)2017\u201318Houston Rockets65\u20131718.67.91st West (Lost Conf. Finals)2018\u201319Houston Rockets53\u20132915.68.24th West (Lost Conf. Semis)2019\u201320Oklahoma City Thunder44\u20132817.66.75th West (Lost 1st Rd)2020\u201321Phoenix Suns51\u20132116.48.92nd West (NBA Finals)2021\u201322Phoenix Suns64\u20131814.710.81st West (Lost Conf. Semis)2022\u201323Phoenix Suns45\u20133713.98.94th West (Lost Conf. Semis)2023\u201324Golden State Warriors46\u2013369.26.810th West (Play-In)<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0The gutsiest NBA finals performances<\/a><\/p>\n Chris Paul was 40 years old at the time of his retirement, and he was born on May 6, 1985.<\/p>\n He was selected 4th overall in the 2005 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets after two standout seasons at Wake Forest.<\/p>\n He made his NBA debut on Nov. 1, 2005, against the Sacramento Kings<\/a>. In his rookie season (2005\u201306), he averaged 16.1 points and 7.8 assists per game, earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors.<\/p>\n Chris Paul says: \u201cThis is it.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/GcEJ45nelf<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n That debut marked the start of what became one of the most accomplished point guard careers in NBA history, highlighted by multiple All-NBA selections and his reputation as one of the best floor generals of his era.<\/p>\n Now, he walks away from the game as one of the best point guards to ever do it. Soon enough, he’ll be in the Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0Have the Thunder won the NBA championship?<\/a><\/p>\n
12x All-Star
11x All-NBA
9x All-Defensive Team
6x Steals Champ
5x Assists Champ
2005-06 NBA ROTY
NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team<\/p>\n