NBA Legend Chris Paul Retires After Waiver by Raptors

The 12-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer ends his storied 21-year career.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Chris Paul, a 12-time NBA All-Star and one of the greatest point guards of his era, has announced his retirement from professional basketball after being waived by the Toronto Raptors. Paul, who was traded to the Raptors in early February, never played a game for the team and was released on Friday.

Why it matters

Paul's retirement marks the end of an illustrious career that spanned over two decades. He is considered one of the most skilled and influential point guards of his generation, known for his leadership, court vision, and ability to elevate his teams. His failure to win an NBA championship is seen by many as the only blemish on an otherwise Hall of Fame-worthy resume.

The details

After being traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Raptors on February 4, Paul never reported to the team and was subsequently waived on February 13. The 37-year-old had not played since December 1 due to injury, and was averaging career lows of 2.9 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game in his 21st NBA season.

  • Chris Paul was traded to the Raptors on February 4, 2026.
  • Paul was waived by the Raptors on February 13, 2026.
  • Paul had not played since December 1, 2025 due to injury.

The players

Chris Paul

A 12-time NBA All-Star and future Hall of Famer, considered one of the greatest point guards of his era. Paul played for several teams over his 21-year career, including the New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Phoenix Suns.

Toronto Raptors

The NBA team that acquired Chris Paul in a trade in early February 2026, but waived him less than two weeks later without him ever playing a game for the team.

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What they’re saying

“Chris Paul is retiring after 21 seasons.”

— Marc Spears, ESPN Reporter (ESPN)

The takeaway

Chris Paul's retirement marks the end of an era for one of the most accomplished point guards in NBA history. Despite his individual accolades and statistical dominance, Paul's inability to win an NBA championship will likely be the lasting legacy of his storied career.