The 2025-26 NBA season has now officially marked the end of a long road for one of the league’s most accomplished point guards in 21-year veteran Chris Paul.
After more than two decades in the league, playing for multiple teams and racking up countless accolades, Chris Paul confirmed that he's done with professional basketball.
The Toronto Raptorswaived the 40-year-old veteran on Friday after acquiring him in a three-team trade, and shortly after news of the move surfaced, Paul took to Instagram to formally announce his retirement.
“This is it! After 21 years I’m stepping away from basketball,” Paul wrote. “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.”
Among those who reacted publicly was Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, who went straight to the comments section of Paul's post to respond directly to his announcement.
“HELLUVA CAREER CHAMP! CONGRATULATIONS 🙏🏾✊🏾” James wrote.
The message was expected, as it reflects a friendship that spans more than two decades and started with the arrival of both future Hall of Famers in the NBA in the early aughts.
James and Paul entered the NBA in the summers of 2003 and 2005, respectively, and went on to win Olympic gold medals together for Team USA in 2008 and 2012.
Paul retired as the 2006 Rookie of the Year, a 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA selection, and nine-time All-Defensive team member.
Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Known as "The Point God," Paul ranks second in NBA history in assists and steals, trailing only Hall of Famer John Stockton in assists. Paul also became the first player in league history to record at least 20,000 points and 10,000 assists, and was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
Though he never won an NBA championship, Paul appeared in the 2021 NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns and played 21 seasons wearing the jerseys of New Orleans, the Clippers, Houston, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Golden State, San Antonio, and Los Angeles again.
Paul's final season was cut short at 16 games with the Clippers after the franchise sent him home before ultimately trading him to Toronto, where he did not appear in a game before being waived.