Chris Paul seemingly confirmed that he’s in the midst of his final tour around the USA as an NBA player. When the veteran guard paid a visit to the Charlotte Hornets over the weekend, he posted a message to Instgram, which suggested that he was making his final trip there for a game.
“Back in NC!!! What a ride…Still so much left…GRATEFUL for this last one!!” the Los Angeles Clippers guard wrote on social media.
Paul clocked in for 23 minutes in Charlotte. He produced three points, eight assists, and four rebounds in the Clippers’ 131-116 win over the rebuilding Hornets.
When Paul’s announcement unsurprisingly went viral on Saturday, LeBron James posted a story to send a quick message to his longtime opponent.
After James’ Sunday outing on the road against the Utah Jazz, he sent a heartfelt message to Paul while sitting at his locker.
“Happiness—just be as happy as he possibly can. I don’t want him to look back on what he’s done and be like, ‘You know, I was angry or didn’t take full advantage of your last year, things of that nature.’ I know he’s happy being back in LA with his family. Seeing little CP, seeing his daughter, seeing what they are doing, I know that’s pretty special to him. I hope he can just get joy out of this final year,” LeBron told reporters.
“We’ve known each other forever. So, hell of a player—hell of a career—I can go on and on. It’s awesome. He has nothing to hang his head about. He’s done pretty much everything that this league has to offer. I just hope he takes it all in. This is the last hurrah, so we never get this moment again once you’re done to go out and be in an arena.”
Being in the NBA since 2005, the North Carolina-born guard has decorated his resume with many notable accomplishments, including 12 All-Star appearances, 11 All-NBA nods, 9 All-Defensive nods, and many assists and steals crowns. When the NBA announced its 75th Anniversary Team, Paul donned the jacket.
Soon enough, the Hall of Fame will be on his resume. It’s clear that the only honor missing is an NBA Championship. Out of 20 years, Chris Paul has been in the playoffs 15 times. He’s had plenty of battles in the postseason, but there isn’t a ring in his collection. His decision to join the Clippers for the 2025-2026 season had Paul hopeful of landing on a sure contender, but LA has struggled so far.
Sitting 12th in the Western Conference with a 5-12 record, the Clippers have a lot of work to do to turn the season around. If Paul isn’t able to get the ring he desires, players like LeBron James want him to know that it doesn’t change anything about his career. Heading into retirement soon, Chris Paul will go down as one of the best point guards to play the game.
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