Chris Paul was traded to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. After the Los Angeles Clippers did not allow Paul to suit up for any more games in December 2025, the veteran guard has not appeared on the hardwood.
The Clippers had promised to find him a new team despite the breakup. After nearly two months of waiting, Los Angeles completed the deal and sent Paul to Toronto. However, NBA insider Shams Charania is not certain he will play for the Raptors.
Shams Charania Sees Chris Paul’s Retirement Tour Abruptly Ending
After being traded to the Raptors on Wednesday, fans anticipated Paul’s retirement tour would resume. However, joining a new team may not guarantee he will play again. According to Charania, there is a possibility that Paul’s retirement tour will abruptly end and that he may not play on an NBA court again this season.
“It will not be for Toronto, and I think when I talk to teams around the league, (Chris Paul’s) future is obviously very much up in the air,” Charania reported. “It’s not certain whether he’s going to play again in the NBA as of right now.”
Shams on Chris Paul:
“It’s not certain whether he’s gonna play again in the NBA as of right now”
ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ pic.twitter.com/nihGYQD00U
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) February 4, 2026
Charania earlier indicated that the Raptors may not be Paul’s final stop. According to him, the Raptors will not require Paul to report because the team is rumored to either waive him or trade him again before the deadline.
The Raptors will not require Chris Paul to report to the team and could still discuss trades involving him over the next day. Toronto is now out of the tax. Brooklyn picks up an asset and cash to cover Agbaji’s salary. The Clippers clear a roster spot and save $7 million in tax. https://t.co/2Bu0sGZzJB
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2026
According to several reports, the Raptors won’t require CP3 to report for work because the team is rumored to either waive him or trade him again before the deadline.
Several landing spots have been mentioned as possible destinations for Paul this season, including the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs.
All three appear to be viable options. The Rockets and Spurs are former teams of Paul, and both Houston and San Antonio are among the top teams in the Western Conference this season, raising the possibility that Paul could retire with a championship.
If he were to join the Lakers, the scenario would also be notable. One of his closest friends, LeBron James, is on the roster. Among the well-known Banana Boat group, Paul is the only member James has not played with during his career.
