NBA icon Chris Paul has officially announced his retirement at age 40, ending a storied 21-season career that spanned three decades.
The 12-time All-Star and 2006 Rookie of the Year shared the news on Instagram following his release by the Toronto Raptors.
“After 21 years, I’m stepping away,” Paul posted. “The game of basketball will forever be ingrained in the DNA of my life.”
Widely regarded as one of the greatest traditional point guards in history, Paul’s resume is defined by elite playmaking and defensive tenacity:
• All-Time Rankings: Finishes 2nd in NBA history for both assists (12,552) and steals (2,728).
• Career Stats: Averaged 16.8 points and 9.2 assists across 1,370 games.
• The Journey: Played for seven teams, including the Hornets, Clippers, Rockets, and Suns.
• International Success: Led Team USA to two Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012).
While an NBA Championship narrowly eluded him—his closest brush being the 2021 Finals with Phoenix—Paul’s impact on the game remains undeniable. From “Lob City” in Los Angeles to his veteran leadership in Oklahoma City and Phoenix, he elevated every franchise he joined.
Paul had not played since December 1st, having been traded from the Clippers to Toronto earlier this month before his final release.
