Home BASKETBALL NBA SPORTS Chris Paul: A Career of Excellence - Turbulent End to a Hall of Fame Career

Chris Paul: A Career of Excellence - Turbulent End to a Hall of Fame Career

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Chris Paul
Chris Paul's bittersweet farewell

Chris Paul's remarkable 20-year NBA career ends with a surprising twist, leaving fans and critics reflecting on his legacy and impact on the game.


The story of Chris Paul's rise to NBA stardom, his on-court achievements, and the controversy that marred his final season...


Chris Paul's retirement marks the end of an era for the NBA. The 40-year-old point guard, known as the “Point God,” had an incredible 21-season career, playing for seven teams and earning 12 All-Star selections and 11 All-NBA honors. He ranks second all-time in assists and steals, and his leadership extended beyond the court as a past president of the National Basketball Players Association.


However, Paul's farewell was marred by controversy. He was traded to the Toronto Raptors in February 2026 and subsequently waived, leading to his abrupt retirement. Many, including Donovan Mitchell, felt he deserved a more dignified sendoff, calling it “BS” that Paul didn't get a retirement tour.


Paul achieved another milestone with the Spurs, becoming the first player to reach 23,000 points and 12,000 assists. And he did it in style, starting all 82 games - a rarity for a player in his 20th season.







The first time was in early December, mid-road trip, when the LA Clippers suddenly canned Paul - it was a messy, painful split.


"We are parting ways with Chris, and he will no longer be a part of the team,” Clippers executive Lawrence Frank said. “We will work with him on the next step of his career. Chris is a legendary Clipper who has had a historic career. I want to make one thing very clear. No one is blaming Chris for our underperformance. I accept responsibility for the record we have right now. There are a lot of reasons why we’ve struggled. We’re grateful for the impact Chris has made on the franchise.”  


The Clippers' decision to dismiss Paul mid-road trip left the entire NBA stunned and scratching their heads.


The Chris Paul Timeline: A Legendary Career

Chris Paul, the “Point God,” had an incredible 21-season career in the NBA, playing for seven teams and earning numerous accolades. Here's a look at his journey:

2005-2011: Paul started his career with the New Orleans Hornets, winning Rookie of the Year in 2006 and leading the team to a franchise-record 56 wins in 2008.

2011-2017: He joined the Los Angeles Clippers, helping them win six consecutive playoff appearances and earning All-NBA honors.

2017-2019: Paul played for the Houston Rockets, leading them to a franchise-record 65 wins and reaching the Western Conference Finals.

2019-2020: He played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, mentoring young players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

2020-2023: Paul joined the Phoenix Suns, reaching the NBA Finals in 2021 and becoming the first player to reach 20,000 points and 10,000 assists.

2023-2024: He played for the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs.

2025-2026: Paul returned to the LA Clippers, but his tenure was cut short due to a clash with the coaching staff.


Paul's legacy includes

  • 12-time NBA All-Star
  • 11-time All-NBA selection
  • 5-time assist champion
  • 2-time Olympic gold medalist
  • NBA 75th Anniversary Team member


Standing at 6 feet tall, Chris Paul knew he had to get creative to thrive in the NBA. He worked tirelessly to develop his skills, mastering ball-handling, crafting a deadly mid-range jumper, and becoming a shutdown defender. The result? A nine-time All-Defensive team selection and six-time Steal Champion. 


Chris Paul spent two electric years at Wake Forest University, his alma mater in North Carolina. He led the Demon Deacons to the NCAA Sweet 16 and declared for the 2005 NBA Draft, where the New Orleans Hornets picked him fourth overall.


In his rookie season, Paul made an instant impact, averaging 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. He took home the NBA Rookie of the Year award, setting the stage for a legendary career.



CP3 spent six seasons in New Orleans, electrifying fans with his playmaking and competitiveness. Eventually, the Hornets traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers, marking a new chapter in his journey.


At the Clippers, Paul formed a high-flying trio with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, and they became the face of “Lob City.” Their fast-paced offense was a thrill to watch, with Paul orchestrating plays and Griffin & Jordan throwing down thunderous dunks.




The Clippers were a force to be reckoned with, but despite their entertaining brand of basketball, they couldn't break through to the NBA Finals. 


Chris Paul's time in LA was electric, and the 2014-15 season was a highlight - he led the league in assists with 838, a staggering number. Despite his dominance, the Clippers fell short in the playoffs.




In 2017, Paul's desire for a contract extension led to a trade to the Houston Rockets. 


Paul's first stint with the Rockets was a success, taking them to the Western Conference Finals in 2018. They had a 3-2 lead over the Warriors, but Paul's hamstring injury in Game 5 turned the tide. The Warriors won Games 6 & 7, ending Houston's run.


The Warriors, led by Steph Curry, battled back and took down the Rockets in a thrilling series, advancing to the NBA Finals. Paul's second year in Houston was underwilled, and the team eventually traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder.


Paul's time in Oklahoma City was short-lived, and he was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2019. In Arizona, he finally got close to the championship, leading the Suns to the NBA Finals in 2021. They gave the Milwaukee Bucks a run for their money but ultimately fell in six games. 


Despite a strong showing, Paul's time with the Suns ended after the 2022-2023 season. He had a legendary campaign, surpassing 20,000 points and 11,000 assists, and passing MJ for third on the all-time steals list.


The Suns traded him to the Golden State Warriors, marking a new chapter for CP3. 


Paul's Warriors debut was a first - he came off the bench for the first time in his 1,365-game starting streak, a testament to his adaptability.




After his Bay Area stint, Paul signed with the San Antonio Spurs, looking to add to his legacy. Team success was still elusive, but CP3 kept racking up accolades.


*A Bittersweet Farewell*

Chris Paul's return to the Clippers was meant to be a nostalgic ending to his illustrious career, but it turned out to be a tumultuous one. After signing a one-year deal, Paul announced on social media in November 2025 that the season would be his last. However, things took an unexpected turn, and the Clippers parted ways with him, sending him home.



The End of an Era

Paul's time with the Clippers was marked by incredible highs, including his “Lob City” days with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Despite his impressive resume, Paul's departure from the Clippers was seen as abrupt and surprising. He was later traded to the Toronto Raptors, but never played for them, ultimately announcing his retirement.




The Clippers dropped a bombshell on December 3, 2025, announcing they'd parted ways with Chris Paul, sending him home from an away game without warning. The NBA world was stunned, and Paul was left reeling, clearly not expecting the rug to be pulled from under him.


The Clippers' decision to part ways with Paul mid-road trip has left many scratching their heads. Given his reputation as a dedicated, hard-nosed leader, it's hard to pinpoint what led to the sudden split.


Rumors are swirling about internal conflicts or disagreements with the coaching staff, but nothing's been confirmed.


The news sent shockwaves through the NBA community - Chris Paul, a two-time Olympian and 12-time All-Star, had been canned by the Clippers. The team was struggling, sure, but with a 5-16 record, it was clear Paul wasn't the problem.


The whole situation was bizarre, and questions swirled about the Clippers' decision-making. What was the real reason behind the split? 


Paul had agreed to a reserve role with the Clippers, but his competitive nature and desire to contribute on the court likely clashed with the team's plans. Given his track record of vocal leadership, it's no surprise tensions arose.


The Clippers wanted a veteran presence, but Paul wanted to help drive the team forward. 


“That's how Chris is,” one executive with another team said. “He wears you out. He's convinced he's right - and he often is right, which kind of pisses you off - and he'll go around to everyone until you agree with him.”


But he also added, “If all they wanted was a cheerleader, why did they sign Chris Paul? I mean, they had him before. They knew what he was like.”


Paul's competitive fire was on full display in LA, and he quickly took over the second unit. Despite being meant to be the “worst” team on the court, they kept taking down the starters, showcasing Paul's leadership and skill. 


“We were kicking their ass,” forward John Collins recently told ESPN.  “Every day, we were kicking (the starters) ass.”


Paul's intensity and desire to turn the team around led to clashes with the coaching staff. He was trying to shake things up, but his methods were seen as overstepping.


The locker room speeches weren't going down well either - they were perceived as divisive, and the leadership was getting uneasy. 


The Clippers exec Frank basically said Paul's vibe wasn't meshing with the team's needs anymore. Clashes with Coach Lue and disagreements with Van Gundy didn't help, and after multiple warnings, they decided to part ways.


The Clippers' tribute video seemed heartfelt, saying Paul would end his career at home. But just four days later, reality hit - Paul was sent packing, heading back to LA while his team played in Atlanta.


The whole situation's got people talking. 


A Bittersweet Finale

Chris Paul's career ended on a sour note, with a controversy overshadowing his legendary achievements. While many rallied behind him, others saw the Clippers' decision as a necessary move. 


“He was a pain in the ass when he was a great player,” another executive with a different team said. “And now he's not a great player.”


It's tough to disagree - a player of Paul's caliber deserved a more dignified sendoff. His on-court achievements and contributions warranted better treatment. 


“I don't even like him that much,” said one source close to a current Clippers player. “But this isn't a G League guy. This is Chris Paul. There are ways to do it where he can save a little face.”


“He's intense, man,” Collins said. “He's a leader. Somebody who wants the best for everybody. Somebody who wanted greatness, and that's what he demands. It's definitely a lot quieter without him here.”


A few months later, the Clippers traded Paul to the Raptors, and they waived him shortly after. Paul then decided it was time to hang up his sneakers, and the basketball world showed love.




Chris Paul's legacy isn't defined by the end of his career; he's one of the all-time greats at his position. For over 20 years, he dominated the game, setting the bar for point guards.


His career's a testament to his hard work and dedication.





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