Chris Paul retires after 21 seasons, leaving lasting ‘Point God’ legacy

Future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul announced his retirement on Instagram Friday after he was waived by the Toronto Raptors.

As expected, the veteran never played a game for the Raptors after they acquired him in a three-team trade last week from the LA Clippers.

Paul is a 12-time All-Star, an 11-time All-NBA selection and a nine-time All-Defense selection. He has won Olympic gold medals playing for Team USA in the 2008 Beijing Games and 2012 London Games, and was a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. Only Utah Jazz Hall of Famer John Stockton has more career assists. Paul was the first player in NBA history to score at least 20,000 points and record 10,000 assists.

During his initial stint with the Clippers, he teamed up with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan to lead Lob City to six consecutive playoff appearances. Paul’s return to the Clippers was seen as a fitting end to his Hall of Fame career, but the reunion was short-lived, and the Clippers sent Paul home during a road trip in December.

The Raptors traded for Paul to move below the luxury-tax threshold. In the trade, they sent Ochai Agbaji and his $6.4 million salary to the Brooklyn Nets. Paul was playing on a minimum salary this season.

In 14.3 minutes per game this season, Paul averaged 2.9 points, 3.3 assists and 0.7 steals in 16 games. The 21-year veteran started all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs last season.

After leaving the Clippers in 2017, Paul played with the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs.