May 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) talks to Chris Paul after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves during game two of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn ImagesClemente Almanza, OKC Thunder WireMon, November 24, 2025 at 5:25 PM UTC·3 min readWhat was assumed by everybody became official this past weekend — Chris Paul will retire at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Paul announced his intention to retire at the end of the season before the LA Clippers took on the Charlotte Hornets. That's where the 40-year-old is from. He signed a one-year deal this past offseason to reunite with the squad most associated with him.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPaul is one of the greatest NBA players ever and an eventual Hall-of-Famer. The 12-time All-Star player is one of the best at his position. He's been a high-assist machine who enjoyed the longevity of being one of the top point guards in the 2010s and 2020s.
Of course, Paul spent one season on the Oklahoma City Thunder. He rejuvenated his career there in the 2019-20 season. He also mentored Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as both players entered their first season with the NBA franchise after being separately traded.
Paul also has previous ties to OKC. He played his first two seasons there as the New Orleans Hornets temporarily relocated to OKC for two seasons in 2005-07 due to Hurricane Katrina. Most believe that experiment laid the groundwork for the Thunder's eventual arrival in 2008.
Here's how the Thunder reacted to Paul's retirement announcement:
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMark Daigneault
“One of the great point guards in the history of the game and one of the great players of this generation. And he's been here twice. He was here when the team relocated here prior to the Thunder coming here. Then, had a great resurgence season the year that he was here. He just brought a professionalism, a readiness, a seriousness about his craft that was potent every single day.
"He's a great example of what I mentioned with Chet. On a night in some random NBA city in the middle of December on a Wednesday, he's going to be ready to play. There's just a high, high level of professionalism that he brings, and that's what the great players do."
Lu Dort
"It's crazy. He had a helluva career, obviously. What he did here, even for a year, was crazy. He left his mark. A lot of people here love him. Me, myself, he was my vet. He taught me a lot of stuff on and off the court. I have a lot of love and respect for Chris. Hopefully, his last ride is going to be great...
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"He talks a lot on and off the court. He was big on the little details. Especially for me as a rookie, he got me an iPad. The iPad I use today to watch film. It started with him telling me how to approach sometimes when I guard the other guys when I play...
"We were young. I was young. Me, Shai and Baze was our little group. The fact he didn't have his family. He used to bring us to his house a lot. His chefs used to cook. We used to watch a lot of games. That's big. Especially as a rookie, that's Chris Paul. Him doing that was amazing. After doing that, we went to The Bubble. The fact he didn't have his family with him and we were there every time. We had a good time and learned more."
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: OKC Thunder react to Chris Paul's retirement announcement
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