After 20 seasons with seven NBA teams, Chris Paul is now dribbling through decisions. At 40, he is one of the league’s oldest players and is searching for the team that can give him the perfect send-off.
With Paul entering the free-agent market, his future has become a hot topic. Will he return to the Phoenix Suns, where he made a Finals run? Or could a surprise reunion with the Clippers be in the works? Either way, this next stop might be his last.
With Retirement Near, Will Chris Paul Choose To Make His Final Stop Close to Home?
In a recent interview with Jemele Hill, Paul gave a clear update about his retirement. “At the most, a year,” he said bluntly. “I just finished my 20th season, which is a blessing in itself.” It really is, considering that Paul’s 2024-25 run with the San Antonio Spurs was more than just a late-career stat pad.
Paul started all 82 games for the Spurs and averaged 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists. He passed Jason Kidd for second all-time in both assists and steals. He even helped unlock rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama with his pick-and-roll chemistry. But now, as free agency returns, so does speculation.
There have been reports that the Clippers want him, the Bucks are interested, and the Suns might just need him. After trading away Kevin Durant and missing the playoffs entirely, the Suns franchise is in need of stabilizing forces. And Paul might be just that. After all, he is the point guard they once let go.
When Paul first donned the jersey for the Suns in 2020, they were a young team with potential but no real postseason pedigree. Paul, alongside Devin Booker, turned the team around. Along the way, Paul even hit the 10,000 assists, All-Star nods, and triple-doubles milestones. He led the Suns past Denver with a 37-point clinic, then dropped 41 in the conference finals to eliminate the Clippers.
Paul could very well be the person to turn the Suns around yet again. The team he eliminated with the Suns — and then played for — is also looking to sign him. Paul played with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2011 after a failed deal that would have sent him to the Lakers.
In his debut season with the Clippers, he averaged 19.8 points, 9.1 assists and 2.5 steals, earning All-NBA first-team honors. He was also the first Clippers player to do so since the franchise moved to L.A.
The team made the playoffs and immediately became a name that simply cannot be overlooked. By 2017, Paul’s time with the Clippers ended without deep playoff success. Now, the Clippers, with James Harden starting, could offer Paul a veteran leadership role off the bench.
Chris Paul in 2007-08:
21.1 PPG
4.0 RPG
11.6 APG
2.7 SPG
49/37/85%
80 GPLed the league in assists & steals
Runner up MVP at 22 years oldpic.twitter.com/uGFPPmCKuv
— Hoop Muse (@HoopMuse) July 4, 2025
Paul wouldn’t be stealing minutes from Kris Dunn for nothing. Undoubtedly, Paul’s passing IQ and floor spacing can be a big plus for the team. However, according to reports from Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, Paul has made it clear he wants to be a starter. That makes Phoenix a more intriguing fit.
The dysfunction the Phoenix Suns have dealt with since his departure is well documented, and a homecoming could bring balance to a roster looking to regroup. There’s also Milwaukee. With Damian Lillard gone and backcourt depth thin, Paul’s presence could help the Bucks stay afloat in the East.
The only catch with the Bucks is the fact that it is not on the West Coast. The Mavericks were once floated as an option, but between D’Angelo Russell’s arrival and Paul’s need for a starting role, Dallas was never really in the race.
Paul’s 20-season-long résumé has just one thing missing — and that’s a ring. After 23,000 points, 12,000 assists, and 20 years, Paul is taking his time to decide where he can finally win that one missing factor.