When Chris Paul stepped to the mic on November 22, 2025, he didn’t just announce the end of a career — he closed the chapter on an era. The 39-year-old guard, a nine-time All-Star and one of the most respected playmakers in NBA history, confirmed he will retire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 NBA seasonUnited States. The news broke during a live segment on CBS Sports HQ, where analyst Ashley Nicole Moss delivered a heartfelt reflection that resonated far beyond the studio. Paul’s decision, made official through his representatives and confirmed by the National Basketball Association, marks the end of a two-decade journey that reshaped the modern point guard position — even without a championship ring.
A Legacy Built on Consistency, Not Crowns
He didn’t win the title. That fact, repeated endlessly by analysts and fans alike, still feels incomplete when describing Chris Paul. He’s the guy who turned the New Orleans Hornets into a playoff team at 20. The guy who made the Los Angeles Clippers relevant for the first time in decades. The guy who, at 37, led the Phoenix Suns to the 2021 NBA Finals — just one win away from glory. His career stats? 22.5 points, 10.8 assists, 4.7 rebounds per game over 1,250+ regular-season contests. Nine All-Star selections. Seven All-NBA teams. Five All-Defensive teams. He’s the only player in NBA history with 11,000 assists and 2,000 steals. And yet, the narrative clings to the ring he never got.But here’s the twist: the people who know basketball best — coaches, former players, even his fiercest rivals — don’t measure him by trophies. They measure him by impact. By the way he elevated every locker room he entered. By the way he demanded excellence, not just from teammates, but from himself. “He didn’t need a ring to be great,” said former Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni in a 2023 interview. “He needed the game to be better. And it is.”
The Journey: From Hornets to Warriors
Paul’s path through the NBA reads like a who’s who of modern basketball evolution. Drafted fourth overall in 2005 by the New Orleans Hornets, he arrived as a wiry 6’0” kid with a brain wired for basketball IQ. He turned a franchise with no identity into a playoff contender — and did it with a 12.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio in his rookie year. That’s not a stat. That’s a manifesto.His 2011 trade to the Los Angeles Clippers changed the franchise’s DNA. He made Blake Griffin look like a superstar. He turned the “Lob City” era into a cultural phenomenon. Then came Houston, where he paired with James Harden in a high-octane offensive system that redefined pace-and-space basketball. In Oklahoma City, he was the steady hand during Russell Westbrook’s transition. In Phoenix, he guided Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton to the Finals. And now, in his final season with the Golden State Warriors, he’s mentoring a young core still learning how to win — just as he once did.
Each stop left a mark. Each team became better because he was there. And he never asked for the spotlight — he just made sure it was on the right people.
What the Numbers Don’t Show
He’s missed 118 games over the last five seasons alone. That’s nearly two full seasons lost to injuries — hamstring strains, shoulder issues, ankle sprains, the kind of wear and tear that breaks lesser men. But Paul never complained. He never took a night off. He played through pain, played through fatigue, played through the whispers that he was “too small,” “too old,” “too slow.”At 39, he’s still the first one in the gym and the last one out. He’s the guy who stays after practice to run pick-and-roll drills with rookies. He’s the one who texts his former teammates after losses. He’s the one who still watches film on the plane — not for himself, but to help others. “He’s the definition of a professional,” said Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski last month. “He doesn’t just play the game. He respects it.”
That’s what Ashley Nicole Moss meant when she said, “He’s been tied into the sport his whole life.” For Paul, basketball wasn’t a job. It was his language. His identity. His sacrifice.
The Farewell Season: A League-Wide Tribute
The 2025-26 NBA seasonUnited States will be unlike any other. Every arena Paul visits — from Los Angeles to New Orleans to Phoenix — will honor him. Expect standing ovations, video tributes, and moments of silence before tip-off. The NBA has already confirmed it will produce a documentary series, “The Point: A Chris Paul Story,” to air in early 2027.And while fans may mourn the absence of a championship, they’ll remember the way he played — with precision, with heart, with an almost obsessive attention to detail. He didn’t just run the offense. He ran the room. He didn’t just pass the ball. He passed on wisdom.
What’s Next for CP3?
Paul has hinted at staying in basketball — possibly as a front-office executive or broadcaster. He’s already taken courses in sports management and has been seen at Golden State Warriors front-office meetings. But don’t expect him to rush into anything. He’s never been one to chase headlines. He’s been one to build legacies.One thing’s certain: the NBA won’t be the same without him. The next generation of point guards — from Scoot Henderson to Cam Christie — will study his footwork, his timing, his decision-making. They’ll try to mimic his crossover. They’ll fail. Because what made Chris Paul special wasn’t just his skills. It was his soul.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn’t Chris Paul win an NBA championship?
Despite elite play and multiple deep playoff runs, Paul faced relentless injury setbacks and tough matchups. In 2021, the Suns lost Game 6 of the Finals to the Bucks in a heartbreaking 108-105 defeat. He also had close calls with the Clippers and Rockets, where injuries or roster limitations kept him from closing the deal. His legacy isn’t defined by the ring he didn’t win — but by the standards he set for leadership and consistency.
How does Chris Paul rank among all-time point guards?
Most analysts place Paul in the top three, behind Magic Johnson and John Stockton. He leads all active players in assists and steals, and his career assist-to-turnover ratio (4.7-to-1) is the highest in NBA history for players with over 10,000 assists. His nine All-Star selections and seven All-NBA nods place him among the most decorated guards ever — even without a title.
What teams did Chris Paul play for during his career?
Paul played for six franchises: New Orleans Hornets (2005–2011), Los Angeles Clippers (2011–2017), Houston Rockets (2017–2019), Oklahoma City Thunder (2019–2020), Phoenix Suns (2020–2023), and Golden State Warriors (2023–2025). His longest and most impactful tenures were with the Hornets and Clippers, where he transformed both franchises into consistent contenders.
Will Chris Paul be a Hall of Famer?
Without question. His statistical resume, leadership impact, and longevity make him a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He’s one of only five players with 20,000+ points, 11,000+ assists, and 2,000+ steals. His influence on modern point guard play — and his role in elevating teams beyond their talent level — will be studied for decades.
How will the NBA honor Chris Paul during his final season?
Every team will host a tribute night when Paul visits, with video montages, jersey presentations, and moments of silence. The NBA is also producing a documentary series titled “The Point: A Chris Paul Story,” set to premiere in early 2027. Additionally, the league has confirmed it will retire his jersey number 3 in a future ceremony — though not until after his official retirement.
What’s Chris Paul’s legacy beyond stats?
Paul’s legacy is in the culture he created: accountability, preparation, and humility. He taught teammates how to study film, how to communicate on defense, how to lead without being loud. Coaches say he’s the most prepared player they’ve ever seen. His impact extends beyond wins — he raised the standard for professionalism in the modern NBA, and that’s something no stat can capture.
