For years, the NBA world has been fixated on LeBron James and his unprecedented longevity in the league. Fans and analysts alike marvel at James’ ability to defy time, especially at 40 years old.
But in the midst of those conversations, another legendary point guard is quietly reaching the same milestone: Chris Paul. A 12-time All-Star, NBA All-Defensive Team staple, and potential Hall of Famer, Paul has now addressed his NBA future.
Chris Paul Is Not Looking To Hang Up His Jersey So Soon
In an exclusive interview with Andscape, the San Antonio Spurs point guard made it clear that his career is far from over. Despite turning 40 in May, Paul remains determined to keep playing.
“I’ll be 40 in May. So, yeah man, I’m going to keep playing, I think. At the end of every season, I evaluate everything — evaluate playing, evaluate how my body feels. But the more years that go by, it’s more conversations with my family, with my kids. They have a lot of say so. They got a lot of input,” said Paul during the interview.
Paul entered the NBA as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, selected by the then-New Orleans Hornets. He won the 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year award and quickly became one of the league’s premier playmakers.
Over the years, Paul has played for several teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Phoenix Suns, before landing with his current team, the Spurs.
Paul delivered his most memorable play in the 2015 Western Conference playoffs by leading the Clippers to victory over the Spurs in a dramatic Game 7. He hit the game-winning floater over Tim Duncan to eliminate San Antonio.
In July 2024, Paul signed with the Spurs, bringing veteran leadership to a young, rebuilding team led by rising star Victor Wembanyama. While many expected Paul to serve mostly as a mentor, he’s proven he can still compete at a high level. He is currently averaging 8.8 points and 7.6 assists per game while shooting 42.8% from the field and 38.1% from 3-point range.
Paul remains focused on helping the Spurs develop, but he has no intention of retiring anytime soon. And he had already made the same revelation months earlier.
Paul Already Had Hinted at His Longevity
In December 2024, Paul reached a major milestone. By surpassing Jason Kidd on the NBA’s all-time assists leaderboard, he claimed the No. 2 spot with 12,468 assists. Shortly after that, Paul spoke about his future again.
In an interview with Spurs legend and Hall of Famer Tony Parker, posted on the official Spurs YouTube channel, Paul hinted that he’s not done.
“Maybe a year or two. I’m still trying to feel it out. I think the hardest part is, like, I love this — like practice today, I love hooping, I love all of that. The hardest part is when I get home and I have to watch my kids’ games on the iPad or whatnot, so that’s the tug of war right now,” said Paul in the video.
Currently, the Spurs have a 32–45 record and are all but officially eliminated from playoff contention. Nevertheless, Paul’s leadership remains valuable for San Antonio in the team’s final games of the season and in the near future. His presence can still help guide their young core — including Wembanyama.