Donovan Mitchell Laments Chris Paul's Retirement

Cavaliers star says future Hall of Famer 'deserved better' than abrupt end to NBA career.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell expressed frustration over the way future Hall of Famer Chris Paul's NBA career came to an end. Paul, who had announced the 2025-26 season would be his last, was unceremoniously released by the Toronto Raptors after being traded there from the Los Angeles Clippers earlier in the year. Mitchell said Paul 'deserved a better way to go out' after a storied career as one of the league's top point guards.

Why it matters

Paul's retirement marks the end of an era for one of the NBA's most respected players of the last two decades. As a mentor to younger stars and a leader on every team he played for, Paul's departure is seen as a significant loss for the league and the game of basketball.

The details

Paul had reunited with the Clippers prior to this season, but was sent home from the team in the middle of a road trip amid reports of a sour relationship with head coach Ty Lue. He was then traded to the Raptors and immediately released, cutting short what was supposed to be his final NBA season.

  • Chris Paul announced the 2025-26 season would be his last.
  • Paul was traded from the Clippers to the Raptors earlier this season.
  • Paul was released by the Raptors in February 2026.

The players

Donovan Mitchell

A star shooting guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Chris Paul

A future Hall of Fame point guard who is retiring after a storied NBA career.

Ty Lue

The head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.

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What they’re saying

“I think he deserved a better way to go out. For a Hall of Famer, for a legend, for a point guard like that to go out like that...is definitely tough.”

— Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers star (Yahoo Sports)

The takeaway

Chris Paul's abrupt retirement is seen as an unfortunate end to the career of one of the NBA's all-time great point guards. As a respected leader and mentor to younger players, Paul's departure marks the closing of a significant chapter in the league's history.