JUMP TO:
After 21 seasons of masterfully orchestrating offenses, Chris Paul has officially announced his retirement from the NBA, marking the end of one of the most storied careers in basketball history.
Paul leaves the floor as a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer, though his final years were defined by a restless search for an elusive championship. Since his lone trip to the NBA Finals in 2021 with the Phoenix Suns, Paul’s journey became a whirlwind of short-term stays, as he moved through five different franchises in his final three seasons without returning to a Western Conference or NBA Finals.
Despite the late-career instability and a postseason resume that will forever be scrutinized for its lack of a ring, Paul’s statistical brilliance remains virtually peerless. He retires ranking second all-time in both career assists and steals, trailing only John Stockton, and sits as the fourth-highest-scoring point guard in league history. A 12-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA selection, Paul’s ability to transform struggling rosters into winners was his trademark.
His final chapter concluded in early 2026, following a mid-season trade from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Toronto Raptors, who subsequently waived the veteran to allow him to step away on his own terms. While the hardware on his finger may be missing, the impact he left on the evolution of the point guard position is indelible. He was the ultimate floor general, a player who could dictate the pace of a game with a single dribble or a pointed gesture.
Let’s take a look at Paul’s career and the teams he played for.
MORE:Best players to never win an NBA championship
Chris Paul NBA teams timeline
New Orleans Hornets (2005–2011)
Drafted No. 4 overall in 2005, Paul immediately revitalized a franchise displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Playing many home games in Oklahoma City during his first two years, he won Rookie of the Year and quickly ascended to MVP-caliber status.
By 2008, he led the Hornets to a franchise-record 56 wins and the second seed in the West, finishing as the runner-up to Kobe Bryant for the MVP award. His tenure in New Orleans established himself as the league's premier traditional point guard, leading the NBA in both assists and steals multiple times.
Los Angeles Clippers (2011–2017)
After a vetoed trade to the Lakers, Paul was sent to the other L.A. team, sparking the "Lob City" era alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. He transformed the Clippers from a perennial league laughingstock into a consistent 50-win juggernaut.
With the Clippers, Paul had one of the best plays, if not the best, of his career when he hit a last-second shot against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7.
❗️ @CP3 for the SERIES WIN ❗️
Chris Paul wins it for the @LAClippers in Game 7! #NBATogetherLive pic.twitter.com/EdjriX8KEg
— NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2020
Despite the highlight-reel dunks and regular-season dominance, this era was often defined by heartbreaking playoff exits and ill-timed injuries. While they never reached the conference finals, Paul earned six All-Defensive First Team nods during this stretch.
MORE: Inside look at Chris Paul's NBA career stats
Houston Rockets (2017–2019)
Joining forces with James Harden, Paul came within one game of the NBA Finals in 2018. The Rockets pushed the legendary Golden State Warriors to seven games in the Western Conference finals, but a hamstring injury to Paul in the closing moments of Game 5 changed the course of NBA history.
The Rockets fell in Game 7, and the following season saw a decline in team chemistry. Despite the frustration, Paul proved he could adapt his game to a high-volume, perimeter-oriented system while still maintaining elite efficiency.
Oklahoma City Thunder (2019–2020)
Widely expected to be a bridge year for a rebuilding team, Paul’s single season in OKC was a masterclass in leadership. He led a young squad to a surprise playoff berth and pushed the Rockets to seven games in the first round.
This season served as a late-career renaissance for Paul, proving to the league that he could still lead a winning culture and mentor the next generation of stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Phoenix Suns (2020–2023)
Paul’s arrival in Phoenix immediately elevated a young core to the next level. In his first season, he led the Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993. Although they fell to the Bucks, Paul achieved several milestones, including becoming the first player to record 20,000 points and 10,000 assists.
What’s your favorite Chris Paul moment? I’ll go first. pic.twitter.com/HmVzTankKj https://t.co/8P8P96ljiv
— Meteorologist Sam Kuffel (@SamKuffelWx) February 13, 2026
The following year, he helped Phoenix win a franchise-record 64 games. However, a second-round collapse against Dallas in 2022 signaled the beginning of the end for this core, leading to his eventual departure in the Bradley Beal trade.
Golden State Warriors (2023–2024)
In a move that stunned the league, Paul joined his long-time rivals in San Francisco. For the first time in his career, Paul accepted a role off the bench, serving as the leader of the second unit to help manage the workload of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
While the Warriors struggled with consistency, Paul’s efficiency and veteran presence were credited with stabilizing their young bench talent.
San Antonio Spurs (2024–2025)
Paul signed a one-year deal with the Spurs specifically to mentor generational prospect Victor Wembanyama. In a remarkable display of longevity, Paul started all 82 games in his 20th season — the first player in NBA history to do so at that age. He averaged 7.4 assists per game and was instrumental in Wembanyama's rapid development before hitting free agency once more.
Los Angeles Clippers (2025–2026)
Looking to finish where he started his prime, Paul returned to the Clippers for a farewell tour, joining forces with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. However, the homecoming was short-lived and marred by internal friction.
Chris Paul will NEVER be forgotten ❤️
Thank you CP3 🙏🙏
pic.twitter.com/IEirr5ROdo
— SleeperHoops (@Sleeper_Hoops) February 13, 2026
After just 16 games — in which he averaged career lows in minutes and points — the Clippers' leadership style reportedly clashed with Paul’s vocal demands for accountability, leading the team to send him home in December to await a trade.
Toronto Raptors (2026)
Paul was officially traded to the Raptors on Feb. 5, 2026, as part of a three-team deal designed to help Toronto get under the luxury tax. Paul never reported to the team or suited up in a Raptors jersey, though. On Feb. 13, 2026, the team waived him, paving the way for his immediate retirement announcement during the All-Star break.
MORE:Every Game 7 in NBA Finals history
How many teams has Chris Paul played for?
Chris Paul played for seven different NBA franchises across his 21-season career. While he was technically a member of an 8th team (the Toronto Raptors) for a week in February 2026, he never reported to the team or suited up for a game before announcing his retirement.
Paul’s legacy is ultimately written in the record books, where his numbers place him in the most exclusive tier of basketball history. He retires ranking second all-time in both career assists and career steals, trailing only John Stockton in both categories.
Chris Paul’s career:
21 seasons
12x All-Star
11x All-NBA
9x All-Defensive Team
6x Steals Champ
5x Assists Champ
2005-06 NBA ROTY
NBA's 75th Anniversary Team
Top _ PG of all time… pic.twitter.com/PtPd9wMkXH
— JVL Basketball (@JVLBasketball) February 13, 2026
A 12-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA selection, Paul also boasts two Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012) and was the first player in league history to cross the massive threshold of 20,000 points and 10,000 assists.
While the championship ring remained elusive, his impact as a floor general was validated by his inclusion on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
MORE:Every NBA finals MVP
How many times was Chris Paul traded?
Chris Paul was traded 7 times during his 21-season NBA career.
While he is often praised for his loyalty to his teams in his prime, his late-career journey saw him become one of the most frequently traded superstars in league history. Each move was a major transaction involving multiple players, draft picks and massive salary figures.
Paul was never a free agent for the first 19 years of his career. Every time he changed teams — from his rookie debut in 2005 until his 2024 signing with the San Antonio Spurs — it was done via trade. He finally became a free agent for the first time in the summer of 2024 after being waived by the Warriors.
MORE:Which NBA teams have won the most championships?
Chris Paul teams by year
Year Team Record PPG APG Finish
2005–06 New Orleans Hornets 38–44 16.1 7.8 4th Southwest (Missed Playoffs)
2006–07 New Orleans Hornets 39–43 17.3 8.9 4th Southwest (Missed Playoffs)
2007–08 New Orleans Hornets 56–26 21.1 11.6 2nd West (Lost Conf. Semis)
2008–09 New Orleans Hornets 49–33 22.8 11.0 7th West (Lost 1st Rd)
2009–10 New Orleans Hornets 37–45 18.7 10.7 5th Southwest (Missed Playoffs)
2010–11 New Orleans Hornets 46–36 15.9 9.8 7th West (Lost 1st Rd)
2011–12 L.A. Clippers 40–26 19.8 9.1 5th West (Lost Conf. Semis)
2012–13 L.A. Clippers 56–26 16.9 9.7 4th West (Lost 1st Rd)
2013–14 L.A. Clippers 57–25 19.1 10.7 3rd West (Lost Conf. Semis)
2014–15 L.A. Clippers 56–26 19.1 10.2 3rd West (Lost Conf. Semis)
2015–16 L.A. Clippers 53–29 19.5 10.0 4th West (Lost 1st Rd)
2016–17 L.A. Clippers 51–31 18.1 9.2 4th West (Lost 1st Rd)
2017–18 Houston Rockets 65–17 18.6 7.9 1st West (Lost Conf. Finals)
2018–19 Houston Rockets 53–29 15.6 8.2 4th West (Lost Conf. Semis)
2019–20 Oklahoma City Thunder 44–28 17.6 6.7 5th West (Lost 1st Rd)
2020–21 Phoenix Suns 51–21 16.4 8.9 2nd West (NBA Finals)
2021–22 Phoenix Suns 64–18 14.7 10.8 1st West (Lost Conf. Semis)
2022–23 Phoenix Suns 45–37 13.9 8.9 4th West (Lost Conf. Semis)
2023–24 Golden State Warriors 46–36 9.2 6.8 10th West (Play-In)
MORE:The gutsiest NBA finals performances
How old is Chris Paul?
Chris Paul was 40 years old at the time of his retirement, and he was born on May 6, 1985.
He was selected 4th overall in the 2005 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets after two standout seasons at Wake Forest.
He made his NBA debut on Nov. 1, 2005, against the Sacramento Kings. In his rookie season (2005–06), he averaged 16.1 points and 7.8 assists per game, earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors.
Chris Paul says: “This is it.” pic.twitter.com/GcEJ45nelf
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 13, 2026
That debut marked the start of what became one of the most accomplished point guard careers in NBA history, highlighted by multiple All-NBA selections and his reputation as one of the best floor generals of his era.
Now, he walks away from the game as one of the best point guards to ever do it. Soon enough, he'll be in the Hall of Fame.
MORE:Have the Thunder won the NBA championship?