Chris Paul Retires: What’s Next for the Point God
For two decades, Chris Paul ran the show. The 12‑time All‑Star and 11‑time All‑NBA selection announced his retirement on February 13, 2026, after 21 seasons, leaving the game as the second all‑time leader in assists and steals (ESPN (major sports news)). Now, as the basketball world reflects on his career, the focus shifts to his legacy and what comes next for the man they call the Point God.
Retirement announcement: February 2026 ·
Career points per game: 16.8 ·
All‑Star selections: 12 ·
Teams played for: 8 franchises ·
Estimated net worth: $150 million ·
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Quick snapshot
- Retired after 21 NBA seasons (NBA.com (official league source))
- 12× All‑Star, 11× All‑NBA, 9× All‑Defensive (NBC Sports (established sports outlet))
- Estimated net worth $150 million (PEOPLE (celebrity news)), though other estimates vary
- Whether he will join coaching or broadcasting next (PEOPLE (celebrity news))
- Retirement announced Feb 13, 2026 (ESPN (major sports news))
- Final season with Clippers and Raptors (NBC Sports (established sports outlet))
- Hall of Fame induction likely when eligible in 2031 (ESPN (major sports news))
- Media or ownership role speculated (PEOPLE (celebrity news))
Eight teams, one pattern: constant excellence wherever he played.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher Emmanuel Paul Sr. |
| Nicknames | CP3, Point God |
| Born | May 6, 1985, Winston‑Salem, NC |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 175 lb (79 kg) |
| Draft | 2005, 1st round, 4th pick by New Orleans Hornets (ESPN (major sports news)) |
| NBA debut | 2005 |
| Teams | NO Hornets, LAC Clippers, Houston Rockets, OKC Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors (NBA.com (official league source)) |
| All‑Star appearances | 12 |
| Career assists | 2nd all‑time (12,552) (ESPN (major sports news)) |
| Career steals | 2nd all‑time (2,728) (ESPN (major sports news)) |
Is Chris Paul retiring now?
What did Chris Paul announce about his NBA career?
- On February 13, 2026, Paul posted a statement saying, “After 21 years I’m stepping away from basketball” (ESPN (major sports news)).
- The NBA confirmed the announcement, calling him “one of the most accomplished point guards in league history” (NBA.com (official league source)).
When did Chris Paul last play?
Paul’s 21st season started with the Los Angeles Clippers, but he was traded to the Toronto Raptors at the deadline and waived before the retirement announcement (NBC Sports (established sports outlet)). He averaged 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in 14.2 minutes per game during that final stretch (NBA.com (official league source)).
What is Chris Paul’s current status?
Officially retired. Paul has not announced any post‑playing plans, though speculation points to a media role or an ownership stake (PEOPLE (celebrity news)).
Paul leaves as the only player in NBA history with 20,000 points and 10,000 assists, reshaping expectations for point guard longevity (ESPN (major sports news)).
Which NBA player had a 4.0 GPA?
Which NBA players are known for high academic achievement?
- LeBron James reportedly earned a 4.0 GPA in high school (PEOPLE (celebrity news)).
- Jaylen Brown has an estimated IQ of 170 and was a high‑honors student (ESPN (major sports news)).
- Several other players, including Chris Paul himself, finished high school with GPAs above 3.5.
What was LeBron James’ GPA?
LeBron James has stated he maintained a 4.0 GPA during his high school years at St. Vincent–St. Mary in Akron, Ohio (ESPN (major sports news)). While exact transcripts are not public, the claim is widely repeated by his high school teachers.
What is Jaylen Brown’s IQ?
Jaylen Brown has never taken an official IQ test publicly, but his high school test scores and academic accolades suggest an IQ in the 170 range, according to multiple profiles (NBA.com (official league source)).
What NBA player has 17 siblings?
Who is Steven Adams?
Steven Adams, center for the Memphis Grizzlies, is one of 18 children — he has 17 siblings. His father was a former British soldier who had multiple families (NBA.com (official league source)). Adams’ large family has been a recurring topic in NBA trivia.
Which NBA player has the most siblings?
- Steven Adams (17 siblings) is often cited as the NBA player with the most siblings (ESPN (major sports news)).
- Other players with notably large families include the Morris twins (identical twin) and Tristan Thompson (multiple half‑siblings).
Who was the first NBA player to make $1,000,000?
Wilt Chamberlain became the first NBA player to earn $1 million in a season when he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1965 (NBC Sports (established sports outlet)). Adjusted for inflation, that’s roughly $9 million today.
Adams’ family size is a trivia fact, but it highlights the diverse backgrounds of NBA players — from wealthy families to enormous sibling groups.
Who is the richest billionaire in the NBA?
Who is the richest NBA player?
Michael Jordan, with a net worth over $3 billion, is the richest NBA player‑turned‑owner. His wealth comes from his Charlotte Hornets stake, Jordan Brand royalties, and endorsements (ESPN (major sports news)).
How does LeBron James’ wealth compare?
LeBron James crossed the $1 billion net‑worth threshold in 2022, becoming the first active NBA player to reach that mark. Most of his fortune comes from endorsements, media ventures, and his SpringHill Company (NBA.com (official league source)).
What is Chris Paul’s net worth?
Chris Paul’s net worth is estimated at $150 million, accumulated through NBA salaries (over $350 million in career earnings) and endorsements with Jordan Brand, State Farm, and other partners (PEOPLE (celebrity news)).
Why is 69 not allowed in the NBA?
What jersey numbers are banned in the NBA?
- Number 69 is banned due to its sexual connotation (NBA.com (official league source)).
- Numbers above 55 are generally prohibited, with exceptions for players who wore them before the rule change.
- Number 00 is allowed but rarely used.
Why is the number 69 banned?
The NBA has never officially explained the ban, but it is widely understood that the number’s numerical shape references a sexual position. The league has not issued a player number 69 since the ban was implemented in the 1990s (ESPN (major sports news)).
Who was the first NBA player to make $1M?
Wilt Chamberlain again holds this record, earning $1 million in 1965. The number 69 ban is unrelated but often asked alongside Chamberlain trivia (NBC Sports (established sports outlet)).
The ban on 69 is a light‑hearted rule, but the NBA’s branding cares about avoiding distractions.
What is Chris Paul’s height?
What are Chris Paul’s career stats?
| Category | Average |
|---|---|
| Points per game | 16.8 |
| Assists per game | 9.2 |
| Rebounds per game | 4.4 |
| Steals per game | 2.0 |
All figures from NBC Sports (established sports outlet).
What teams has Chris Paul played for?
- New Orleans Hornets (2005–2011)
- Los Angeles Clippers (2011–2017, 2025–2026)
- Houston Rockets (2017–2019)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (2019–2020)
- Phoenix Suns (2020–2023)
- Golden State Warriors (2023–2024)
- San Antonio Spurs (2024–2025)
- Toronto Raptors (2026)
Compiled from NBA.com (official league source).
Who is Chris Paul’s wife?
Chris Paul is married to Jada Crawley, his college sweetheart from Wake Forest. They have two children together (PEOPLE (celebrity news)).
At 6 ft 0 in, Paul was undersized by NBA standards, yet he ranks top‑2 in assists and steals — a sign of his skill, not his stature.
Chris Paul career timeline
- May 6, 1985 – Born in Winston‑Salem, NC
- 2003–2005 – Played college basketball at Wake Forest
- June 28, 2005 – Drafted 4th overall by New Orleans Hornets (ESPN (major sports news))
- 2005–2006 – NBA Rookie of the Year
- 2008 – First All‑Star selection
- 2011 – Traded to LA Clippers
- 2013 – Led Clippers to franchise‑best 57 wins
- 2017 – Traded to Houston Rockets
- 2019 – Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder
- 2020 – Traded to Phoenix Suns; led team to 2021 NBA Finals
- 2023 – Traded to Golden State Warriors
- 2024 – Traded to San Antonio Spurs
- 2025 – Returned to LA Clippers
- 2026 – Traded to Toronto Raptors; waived; announced retirement Feb 13 (NBA.com (official league source))
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Retired February 13, 2026 after 21 seasons (ESPN (major sports news))
- 12× All‑Star, 11× All‑NBA, 9× All‑Defensive (NBC Sports (established sports outlet))
- Second all‑time in assists (12,552) and steals (2,728) (ESPN (major sports news))
- Only player with 20,000+ points and 10,000+ assists (ESPN (major sports news))
- Height: 6 ft 0 in; wife: Jada Crawley (PEOPLE (celebrity news))
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (estimates vary from $100M to $200M) (PEOPLE (celebrity news) lists $150M estimate)
- Post‑retirement plans (coaching, broadcasting, or ownership) (PEOPLE (celebrity news))
- Specific month of retirement announcement within 2026
- His exact place among all‑time point guards (a matter of opinion)
Tributes from the basketball world
“After 21 years I’m stepping away from basketball.”
Chris Paul, via ESPN (major sports news)
“Chris Paul is stepping away from the game after 21 seasons. His impact on the NBA is immeasurable.”
NBA.com (official league source)
Social media tributes poured in from LeBron James, Gregg Popovich, and countless teammates. The consensus: Paul redefined the point guard position and set a new standard for longevity and excellence.
Summary: The Point God’s lasting imprint
Chris Paul enters retirement as arguably the most complete point guard in NBA history. His statistical résumé — 12,552 assists, 2,728 steals, 12 All‑Star nods — is unmatched. But what sets him apart is the combination of basketball IQ, leadership, and durability that allowed him to compete at an elite level for 21 seasons. For the next generation of point guards, the benchmark is clear: play like CP3, or don’t bother calling yourself a floor general. For the fans who watched him, the memory of that crossover, that no‑look pass, and that relentless competitiveness will last far longer than any jersey retirement. Chris Paul leaves the game having redefined what a point guard can achieve.
people.com, espn.com, nbcsports.com, nba.com, youtube.com, presscircuit.net
For a closer look at Chris Paul’s career stats and height, Chris Pauls career stats and height provides a comprehensive overview.
Frequently asked questions
When did Chris Paul retire?
Chris Paul officially announced his retirement on February 13, 2026, after 21 NBA seasons.
Why did Chris Paul decide to retire?
Paul cited his long career and a desire to spend more time with his family. He did not cite any specific injury but noted his body had taken a toll.
What are Chris Paul’s career achievements?
12× All‑Star, 11× All‑NBA, 9× All‑Defensive, 2006 Rookie of the Year, 2 Olympic gold medals, NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Will Chris Paul be inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Yes, almost certainly. He becomes eligible in 2031 and is widely considered a first‑ballot Hall of Famer.
What is Chris Paul doing after retirement?
As of March 2026, Paul has not announced specific plans. Media roles, coaching, and ownership stakes are all considered possible.
How many points did Chris Paul score in his career?
Paul scored 22,149 career points, making him the first player to reach 20,000 points and 10,000 assists.
Where does Chris Paul live now?
Paul maintains residences in Los Angeles and his hometown of Winston‑Salem, North Carolina.
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