Review of the legendary career of Chris Paul, one of the best players in the history of the NBA

American point guard Chris Paul announced his retirement after 21 seasons in the NBA just days after being waived by the Toronto Raptors, concluding a career that cements him as one of the greatest point guards in basketball history.

Chris Paul entered the NBA after his college career at Wake Forest. He was selected as the 4th pick in the 2005 Draft by the then New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. His impact was immediate: he won Rookie of the Year in 2006, confirming from the start that he was destined to leave his mark on the point guard position.

Paul debuted with the New Orleans franchise and quickly turned them into contenders. In his early days, he displayed the characteristics that would define his career: control of the game's pace, court vision, and leadership. During those years, he began leading the league in assists and steals, laying the groundwork for his reputation as one of the best floor generals of his generation.

The definitive breakthrough came with his trade to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he spearheaded the renowned Lob City era. Between 2011 and 2017, he led the resurgence of a historically downtrodden franchise, averaging 18.2 points and 9.6 assists during that period. Though the team didn't reach the Finals, the Clippers became regular contenders in the West, and Paul solidified his status as a global star.

His next stop was the Houston Rockets, where he formed a potent backcourt tandem with James Harden. The project came close to dethroning Golden State in 2018, but injuries thwarted Paul's clearest shot at reaching the Finals. After leaving Houston, he landed with the Oklahoma City Thunder, guiding a rebuilding team to the playoffs and reinforcing his reputation as a leader capable of elevating any roster's competitive level.

His tenure with the Phoenix Suns marked his final significant title window. In 2021, he led the franchise to the NBA Finals, the only time he reached the championship, although the title slipped away. Paul continued his career with the Golden State Warriors and later with the San Antonio Spurs. With the Spurs, he played all 82 games of the 2024-25 season, averaging 8.8 points and 7.4 assists at the age of 39, demonstrating his competitive longevity.

In 2025, he returned to the Los Angeles Clippers for his 21st season, which he had already announced as his last. However, his farewell was tumultuous: after playing only 16 games, he was sidelined and traded, eventually being waived by Toronto before officially announcing his retirement. Paul also made an impact with the U.S. national team (Team USA), winning two Olympic gold medals (2008 and 2012) as part of the "Redeem Team" and the subsequent generation.

Legendary Numbers

The figures of his career encapsulate his impact:

• 21 seasons in the NBA

• 12-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA selection

• Career averages:

  • 16.8 points

  • 9.2 assists

  • 4.4 rebounds

  • 2.0 steals

He finishes as the second all-time leader in assists (12,552) and steals (2,728), trailing only John Stockton.

Chris Paul never captured the championship, but his legacy goes beyond titles. He epitomized the modern classic point guard: intelligence, leadership, defense, pace control, and the ability to transform franchises. His career concludes with widespread consensus: one of the greatest point guards of all time and one of the premier playmakers and defenders in NBA history.