Chris Paul announces NBA retirement after 21 seasons

Chris Paul, who ranks No. 2 all-time in the NBA for assists and steals, has announced he is stepping away from the game.

In a post on Instagram, Paul wrote in part: “This is it! 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.”

Paul was traded to Toronto at the trade deadline, but it was a move that did not require him to report to the team. Per multiple reports, the Raptors are waiving Paul.

The Raptors knew Paul would never play in Toronto, and that begged the question about whether the Wake Forest legend would try to finish the season with another team in pursuit of the thing he never got — an NBA title.

He said last summer that he had hated missing events with his children over the last few years, and now he can devote himself much more to his family and other interests.

The Clippers parted ways with Paul in early December after he returned to the team as a free agent last July.

The 40-year-old Paul was playing his 21st NBA season, and he strongly hinted in November that it would be his last. The 12-time All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist has earned four All-NBA First Team selections, and he ranks second in NBA history for assists (12,552) and steals (2,728). He was the first player to score at least 20,000 points while recording at least 10,000 assists.

He became arguably the most accomplished player in Clippers franchise history while leading the team to six winning seasons from 2011-17, including the Clippers’ first two Pacific Division titles and three playoff series victories.

He averaged 2.9 points and 3.3 assists this season, playing just 14.2 minutes per game — all career lows — and he didn’t play at all in five straight games in mid-November.

The Winston-Salem native released a video on social media in November about 90 minutes before tipoff, showing highlights of him playing for several NBA teams throughout his 21-year professional career. The video also includes Paul from childhood through high school and his days playing at Wake Forest and getting drafted into the league.

In the post on X, Paul wrote “Back in NC!!! What a ride…Still so much left…GRATEFUL for this last one!!”

Back in NC!!! What a ride…Still so much left…GRATEFUL for this last one!! 🤞🏾 pic.twitter.com/1ZaJSqsWRD

— Chris Paul (@CP3) November 22, 2025

After releasing that video before the Clippers-Hornets game in North Carolina, Paul declined interview requests to speak about his future through the team’s public relations staff. He quietly left the Spectrum Center, walking alongside a staff member wearing a brown plaid flannel coat.

He later met up with some family members who’d come to see the game and exchanged hugs.

Paul was the New Orleans Hornets’ fifth overall pick in 2005 and was selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team seven times. He has played for seven different NBA teams, and he’s already in the Hall of Fame: the 2008 Olympic ‘Redeem Team’ was enshrined as part of the 2025 class.

It won’t be long before he goes in on his own as well.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.