Chris Paul Announces Retirement After 21 NBA Seasons; Plays Final Game in North Carolina

Chris Paul, a 12-time All-Star and future first-ballot Hall of Famer, announced his retirement from the NBA after 21 seasons, effective at the end of the current 2025-26 campaign. The 40-year-old point guard made the announcement via social media, stating he was "grateful for this last one," ahead of the Clippers' game in his native North Carolina, where he received a warm ovation in what was likely his final game there. Paul, a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, has career averages of 16.9 points, 9.2 assists, and 4.4 rebounds, with 11 All-NBA and nine All-Defensive Team selections. He signed a one-year, $3.6 million deal to rejoin the Clippers this season, where he is averaging 2.5 points and 3.3 assists in 13.7 minutes.