Clippers legend Chris Paul makes final announcement on retirement

On Friday afternoon, the Toronto Raptors waived 40-year-old point guard Chris Paul less than two weeks after trading for him. 

Shortly after the move, the Los Angeles Clippers legend made a final announcement about his retirement.

“This is it,” Paul wrote on Instagram. "After over 21 years, I’m stepping away from basketball. As I write this, it’s hard to really know what to feel, but for once – most people would be surprised – I don’t have the answer lol! But, mostly I’m filled with so much joy and gratitude! While this chapter of being an “NBA player” is done, the game of basketball will forever be engrained in the DNA of my life.”

“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. I embraced it all."

"The good and the bad. As a lifelong learner, leadership is hard and is not for the weak. Some will like you, and many people won’t. But the goal was always the goal, and my intentions were always sincere."

Unfortunately, Paul didn’t end his illustrious NBA career the way he wanted to. The former first-round pick was hoping to make a noticeable impact with the Clippers during his second stint with the franchise and end things off with a bang.

Instead, the Wake Forest product was a non-factor with Los Angeles in 2025-26 and was shipped to the Raptors midway through the season. Still, it doesn’t change the fact that Paul enjoyed a remarkable and accolade-filled NBA career. 

While Paul failed to win a title, he earned 12 All-Star nods, seven All-Defensive first-team selections, 2006 Rookie of the Year honors, and four All-NBA first-team nods, to name a few. 

Needless to say, Paul will be a Hall of Famer when it’s all said and done.

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