One of the greatest point guards to ever lace up is calling it a career.
“This is it!” Paul said on Instagram. “After over 21 years I’m stepping away from basketball. As I write this, it’s hard to really know what to feel, but for once — most people would be surprised — I don’t have the answer lol! But, mostly I’m filled with so much joy and gratitude! While this chapter of being an “NBA player” is done, the game of basketball will forever be ingrained in the DNA of my life.”
Paul, 40, spent 21 years in the NBA, racking up a decorated resume in the process, complete with 12 all-star, 11 all-NBA and nine all-defensive selections. He was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, recognized as one of the game’s 75 best players of all time.
Since being drafted fourth overall by the New Orleans Hornets (now the Pelicans) in 2005, Paul has averaged 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 9.2 assists and two steals in 1,370 games split between the Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs.
Paul announced in November that Year 21 would be his last, and it was meant to be with the Clippers, after he rejoined the franchise in the off-season. However, he was traded to Toronto just before February’s deadline after playing only 16 games in Los Angeles.
After starting all 82 games with the Spurs last season, Paul struggled to break into the Clippers’ rotation this year, averaging only 2.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 14.3 minutes per game.
“Playing basketball for a living has been an unbelievable blessing that also came with lots of responsibility. I embraced it all. The good and the bad,” Paul said. “As a lifelong learner, leadership is hard and is not for the weak. Some will like you and many people won’t. But the goal was always the goal, and my intentions were always sincere.”
While Paul will hang up his shoes without having won an NBA title, he ends his career having qualified for the post-season 15 times and doing so on nearly every team he played for.
For his career, Paul will finish with the second-most assists (12,552) and steals (2,728) all-time. He’ll also finish fourth among point guards in points (23,058), fifth in rebounds (6,006), sixth in three-pointers (1,870) and second in double-doubles (539).
He is also a two-time Olympic gold medallist, winning with Team USA at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Games.
“I am so excited to take with me to the next chapter all the incredible things basketball has taught me. And more importantly that the people I have been blessed to meet through basketball have taught me,” he said. “To all the teammates, coaches, staff, executives and most of all family. I can’t begin to thank you enough… but the good news is I’ll now have much more time to start!”
