Legendary point guard Chris Paul is officially stepping away from the NBA.
The Los Angeles Clippers signed Paul for the 2025-26 season in what was supposed to be a fitting sendoff for his career. Instead, he was sent home by the team in early December. Prior to that decision, he was averaging 2.9 points and 3.3 assists per game in limited minutes.
"We are parting ways with Chris and he will no longer be with the team. We will work with him on the next step of his career," the Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank told ESPN. "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."
Nov 29, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) brings the ball up court during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Before this month's trade deadline, the Clippers sent Paul to the Toronto Raptors in a three-team trade. Some fans thought it would've opened the door for CP3 to return to the hardwood. However, he was then waived by the Raptors this Friday afternoon.
Shortly after the Raptors trimmed their roster, Paul announced his retirement from the NBA. The future Hall of Famer posted a heartfelt message regarding his decision on Instagram.
"This is it! After over 21 years I'm stepping away from basketball," Paul's statement read. "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 an 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. I've been in the NBA for more than half of my life, spanning three decades. It's crazy even saying that! Playing basketball for a living has been an unbelievable blessing that also comes with a lot of responsibility. 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 intentions were always sincere."
Are the Clippers to blame?
While there'll come a day for NBA fans to celebrate Paul's accomplishments, fans are currently busy blaming the Clippers for his sudden retirement.
"I am NEVER going to forgive everyone involved with the Clippers for this. Chris Paul was a PHENOMENAL player, a Hall of Famer, the Point God, awesome on and off the court, a real leader. And they did this to him," one person wrote on X.
"Chris Paul deserved a better send off than this," one fan said. "Thanks for everything CP3. Sorry the Clippers did you so dirty."
"The Clippers did Chris Paul so dirty smh… What an awful way to treat the best player in your franchise's history," another fan commented.
"Nothing good gonna happen to the Clippers for how they did Chris Paul," a third fan declared.
Paul will finish his NBA career as a 12-time All-Star, six-time steals champion, five-time assists leader, former Rookie of the Year and member of the 75th Anniversary Team.
We're wishing CP3 all the best as he enters the next chapter of his career.
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