Chris Paul Retires After 21 Seasons in NBA

Chris Paul retires

Chris Paul announces retirement after 21 NBA seasons, averaging 16.8 points and 9.2 assists. Chris Paul ends career with 1,370 games, 2 Olympic gold medals, and Rookie of the Year award.

“This is it! After 21 years I'm stepping away from basketball...”

Chris Paul, the 12-time NBA All-Star point guard, has officially retired from professional basketball after 21 incredible seasons. The 40-year-old playmaker announced his retirement on Instagram, sharing a heartfelt message with fans: “This is it. After 21 years I'm stepping away from basketball ”

Paul's retirement comes after a tumultuous final season, which included being traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Toronto Raptors, only to be waived without playing a game for his new team. Despite his impressive career, Paul never won an NBA championship, though he reached the finals with the Phoenix Suns in 2021.

Breaking: Chris Paul is retiring from basketball after 21 seasons in the NBA, he announced on social media. pic.twitter.com/jm1IBwdimh

— ESPN (@espn) February 13, 2026

Throughout his career, Paul played for seven teams, including the New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and San Antonio Spurs. He's widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, ranking second all-time in assists and steals.

Chris Paul, the 12-time NBA All-Star point guard, has officially retired from professional basketball at the age of 40. He announced his decision on Instagram, saying “This is it! After 21 years I'm stepping away from basketball.”

Paul's retirement comes after being waived by the Toronto Raptors, who acquired him in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers last week. His departure from the Clippers was reportedly due to tensions with the coaching staff and a limited role in the team. Throughout his 21-year career, Paul played for seven teams, earning numerous accolades, including 11 All-NBA selections and ranking second all-time in assists.

Chris Paul has impressive stats, averaging 16.8 points, 9.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game over 1,370 NBA games with multiple teams.

The 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year has also won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA, triumphing in Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

Despite reaching the NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns in 2021, Paul never got to hoist the championship trophy, falling short against Milwaukee.

Paul hadn't played since December 1st, with the Clippers benching him after a 5-16 start before eventually trading him to Toronto.

“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,” Paul posted.

“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 ingrained 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!”

Paul, the 2013 NBA All-Star Game MVP, emphasized his love for the game, saying he just enjoyed playing in the NBA.

“Playing basketball for a living has been an unbelievable blessing that also came with lots of responsibility,” Paul wrote. “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 intensions were always sincere (Damn, I love competing!!).”