Right when NBA fans thought things had calmed down with the trade deadline ending, another piece of news would come that shocked the basketball world.
After being waived by the Toronto Raptors, Chris Paul made the public announcement that he will be retiring from the NBA, putting an end to a twenty-year career.
During his two-decade run in the NBA, Paul established himself as one of the greatest point guards of all time.
Although it only seems fair to start at the beginning.
Drafted fourth overall in the 2005 NBA draft, out of Wake Forest by the, at the time, New Orleans Hornets, Paul entered the season as one of the league’s top prospects.
Nevertheless, Paul would live up to his hype, with averages of 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 7.8 assists; he took home the 2005-06 NBA Rookie of the Year award, falling just one vote away from winning unanimously.
Yet over the years, if Paul had any doubters, he would prove them wrong.
In 2008, Paul would even receive his first All-Star selection, alongside being on the All-NBA first team and winning a gold medal in that year’s Olympics.
That year, Paul also would lead the league in assists and steals.
The “Point God” would continue his dominance all the way until he departed from the now, New Orleans Pelicans in 2011.
Paul would join the Los Angeles Clippers to team up with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan to begin an era many refer to as “Lob City”.
His arrival in Los Angeles rejuvenated an entire franchise that had very much lacked star power up to that point.
In his tenure in Los Angeles, Paul would accomplish many impressive feats.
Such as being the All-Star Game MVP and becoming President of the National Basketball Players Association in 2013.
During this period, Paul would take his team to the playoffs every year during their six-season stint.
Sadly, the team never made it out of the conference semi-finals, falling short against many top teams of the era.
However, falling short in the playoffs every year began to create tension between Paul and management, leading to a controversial trade that sent Paul to the Houston Rockets in 2017.
Los Angeles traded Paul because they were unwilling to offer him the contract extension that he was seeking, and they did not want to lose him for nothing once he became a free agent.
Even if Paul was in a fresh environment, his playoff struggle stayed the same, eventually resulting in him being moved to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019.
Paul found himself on a young, rebuilding team without championship aspirations.
In spite of speculation that Oklahoma City would try to move on from Paul immediately, he embraced his role as a veteran leader of the team, which led to widespread praise.
Paul would even be credited in the development of future NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The team took a break, but following the restrictions being lifted from the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Paul dragged Oklahoma City to a playoff appearance to meet his old team in Houston.
Ultimately, Oklahoma City ultimately lost Game 7 and was eliminated from the postseason, another sad ending for Paul.
This wouldn’t continue, though, as in a mutual move in 2020, Paul would join forces with Devin Booker as a part of the Phoenix Suns.
Paul and Booker’s alliance ended up becoming one of the most dominant in leauge, turning a situation many were unsure of into a spot in the 2021 NBA finals against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Despite having a 2-0 lead, Phoenix would end up losing this series, giving Paul the title of first player in NBA playoff history to lose four series in which his team led 2–0.
An extension would be signed in that year’s off-season, but many look at the 2021 NBA finals as the end of Paul’s prime.
Not much was accomplished the following season, other than becoming the oldest player in NBA history to put up at least 30 points and 10 assists in a playoff game.
Future runs with the Golden State Warriors in 2023, as well as the San Antonio Spurs in 2024, didn’t light the world on fire.
Acting more so as a veteran mentor than a main rotation player.
Nonetheless, in 2025, Paul would make a major announcement.
In a move many were happy with, Paul declined another deal with San Antonio to return to Los Angeles, where he made his name, for a retirement tour.
Unfortunately, Paul’s 21st season didn’t end the way many were hoping.
Los Angeles announced that they planned to part ways with Paul and sent him home due to clashing with head coach Tyronn Lue.
The decision was widely criticized, and after a trade and waive with Toronto, Paul’s career came to an end.
Finishing as a 12-time NBA All-Star, two Olympic Gold Medals, eleven All-NBA selections, nine All-Defensive selections, second in assists and steals all-time, an NBA 75 player, and an inspiration to many greats of today.
