Chris Paul: Former Phoenix Suns point guard retires from NBA

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Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 23, 2021, at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

PHOENIX - Chris Paul, who helped lead the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals in 2021, announced on Friday he is retiring from the NBA.

The backstory:

Paul was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Toronto Raptors at this season's deadline. He was then reportedly waived by the Raptors.

"CP3" played for Phoenix from 2020-2023. The Suns made it to the NBA Finals in 2021, losing in six games to the Milwaukee Bucks. In June 2023, the Suns waived Paul. He then signed with the Golden State Warriors.

In 2024, Paul played for the San Antonio Spurs before joining the Clippers last year.

‘This is it!’

What they're saying:

"After over 21 years I'm stepping away from basketball," Paul wrote in an Instagram post on Feb. 13. 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 engrained in the DNA of my life."

By the numbers:

Paul ranks second in league history with 12,552 assists and 2,728 steals. He was also the first player to score at least 20,000 points while recording at least 10,000 assists.