Chris Paul, the renowned point guard and NBA star, has officially announced his retirement after an illustrious two-decade career. Drafted as the fourth overall pick in 2005, Paul’s journey has solidified his legacy in basketball history, although his final season came to a bittersweet end with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Chris Paul’s Remarkable Career Highlights
During his career, Paul achieved numerous accolades, solidifying his status as one of the game’s greats. He is a 12-time All-Star, an 11-time All-NBA selection, and a nine-time member of the All-Defensive team. He ranks second in NBA history for both assists and steals, trailing only John Stockton in these categories. Financially, Paul retires as the sixth-highest earner in league history, accruing career earnings of $404,526,572, according to Spotrac.
Career Earnings by Team
Paul’s earnings reflect his impact across several franchises:
New Orleans Hornets – $44,204,701
Drafted by the Hornets, Paul spent six formative years in New Orleans. He earned numerous honors, including a spot on the All-NBA First Team in 2008, and set personal records during the 2008-09 season. Notably, a trade to the Lakers was blocked, leading to his eventual move to the Clippers.
Los Angeles Clippers – $120,578,649
Upon joining the Clippers, Paul revitalized the franchise, pairing with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan to create a dynamic team known as “Lob City.” Paul’s leadership led to three consecutive All-NBA First Team selections, and he received a significant contract extension before the 2013-14 season. However, despite playoff appearances, the team never advanced beyond the second round with Paul.
Houston Rockets – $59,923,109
In 2017, he was traded to the Rockets, where he found success in reaching the conference finals in his first season. The Rockets extended his contract, but he was traded to the Thunder in 2019 for Russell Westbrook before the new deal took effect.
Oklahoma City Thunder – $36,099,827
Paul’s lone season with the Thunder was transformative. He rejuvenated his career and played a pivotal role on a younger team. The season was also marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to an extended pause in play. Ultimately, the Thunder lost in a tightly contested playoff series against the Rockets.
Phoenix Suns – $100,558,814
His tenure with the Suns was among the most successful, culminating in an NBA Finals appearance in 2021 and him leading the league in assists. However, his time with Phoenix ended on a sour note after a playoff upset by the Mavericks, leading to his trade to the Wizards and subsequently to the Warriors.
Golden State Warriors – $30,800,000
With the Warriors, Paul took on a reduced role, departing from his streak of 1,365 consecutive starts due to a hand injury that limited his appearances. After a disappointing season that saw the Warriors miss the playoffs, he was waived.
San Antonio Spurs – $10,983,000
Joining the Spurs for a final year, Paul assumed a mentorship role while still playing prominently. Despite not making the playoffs, he made history by starting all 82 games in his 20th season.
Toronto Raptors – $1,378,472
Paul signed a one-year deal to return to the Clippers but was traded to the Raptors shortly after. Following a brief stint, he was waived, marking the end of his playing days.
With his retirement announced, Chris Paul leaves a lasting legacy in the NBA, and fans eagerly anticipate his speech at the Hall of Fame in five years.
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