Chris Paul Retires Without a Ring After 21 Seasons

Chris Paul, the “Point God,” finally retires after attempting a retirement tour with his old team, the Los Angeles Clippers. “That is it! After 21 years, I’m stepping away from basketball,” shared Paul via Instagram. 

Before the season started, Paul announced his retirement tour, but quickly into the season, the Clippers traded Paul, suddenly, without him knowing. He was traded to the Toronto Raptors, but the Raptors didn’t require Paul to show up and report to the team, and were looking to move him before the trade deadline. Missing the trade deadline, the Raptors opted to waive Paul and make him a free agent, leading to Paul’s retirement.  

Paul is retiring as one of the greatest point guards of all time in the NBA. Even without a ring, he ranks second in NBA history in both assists and steals. He has 12,552 assists and 2,728 steals. Paul was the first player in NBA history to record 20,000 points and have 10,000 assists. Both LeBron James and Russell Westbrook have since followed suit in this record. 

“From the moment he entered the league, Chris distinguished himself with savvy playmaking skills, elite competitiveness, and intense work ethic,” shared NBA commissioner Adam Silver, in a statement with ESPN. 

Paul was one of the Clippers’ most valuable players despite playing for seven different teams. He established the Clippers as a competitive franchise in the six seasons he played for them. During the six seasons (2011-2017), he helped lead the team to two Pacific Vision titles and three playoff series victories. During this time, the Clippers earned the “Lob City” nickname as explosive players surrounded Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan, whom he was able to continuously lob the ball to for monster jams through their fast-paced offense.

Paul, also known as CP3, has won many accolades in his 21-year-long career with the NBA. He won “Rookie of the Year” in 2006, has been selected for all-NBA teams 11 times, all-defensive team nine times, he’s led the league in assists five times and steals 6 times, he’s a two-time gold-medalist, and an all-star 12 times. Paul has had an impressive career, and many fans believe he deserves a championship ring. 

“While this chapter of being an ‘NBA player’ is done, the game of basketball will forever be engrained in the DNA of my life, spanning the three decades,” said Paul in another statement on Instagram. “Playing basketball for a living has been an unbelievable blessing that also came with lots of responsibility,” Paul said. 

Chris Paul will forever be remembered by the basketball community for his high basketball IQ, elite playmaking, and leadership. Paul’s ability to elevate every team he joins is truly admirable, and he serves as a mentor to many.