By JAKE FENNER, US SPORTS WRITER
Published: 12:56 EST, 13 February 2026 | Updated: 13:01 EST, 13 February 2026
NBA legend Chris Paul has announced his retirement from the game of basketball, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Paul had been intending to play out the rest of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers this season. However, disagreements within the team led to Paul being traded to the Toronto Raptors in a three-way deal.
Earlier today, the Raptors waived Paul after the deal went through on February 5. Rather than report to the team, the 40-year-old has now decided to end his career before the 2025-26 season ends.
Paul will now be regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history to have never won a title.
At the time of his retirement, Paul sits second on the all-time NBA assists list and second on the all-time steals list. He is behind John Stockton and ahead of Jason Kidd in both categories.
Across his 21 seasons in the NBA, Paul was named an All-Star 12 times, was a four-time All-NBA first-teamer, a five-time All-NBA second-teamer and a two-time All-NBA third-teamer. He also was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2006 and earned a place on the league's 75th Anniversary Team.
Additional accolades include his seven selections to the NBA All-Defensive First Team - including a run of six straight honors from 2012-2017.
Paul led the league in assists for five seasons and steals for six seasons.
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