Former Rocket Chris Paul Announces Retirement
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets reacts against the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter of Game Five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 24, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Last week, future Hall of Famer and former Rocket point guard Chris Paul announced his retirement from the NBA. The star guard spent two seasons with the Rockets, from 2017 through 2019. He was acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in a trade and then dealt away after just two years to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets went 65-17 in 2017-2018 and won the most games that they ever did in a season in franchise history. They fell one win short of the NBA Finals, falling to the Golden State Warriors in seven games in the Western Conference Finals.
Over two seasons with the Rockets, Paul averaged 17.1 points, 8.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds, shooting 44.1% from the floor and 36.9% from long distance. He appeared in 116 games. In 2018, Paul signed a four-year contract worth $159.73 million which paid him an average salary of $39.93 million. Paul then went on to sign another four-year contract in 2021, with the Phoenix Suns, worth $120 million.
In 2017, Paul opted in to his contract so that the Clippers could trade him rather than lose him for nothing in free agency. The Rockets sent to Los Angeles a package including Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, and a 2018 first round draft pick. In 2019, the Rockets sent Paul to the Thunder, along with multiple first round draft picks and pick swaps, in exchange for Russell Westbrook. The move was made in an attempt to salvage the Rockets’ window for contention during the remainder of James Harden’s prime.
Entering the league in 2005, at age 20, with New Orleans, Paul played 20 seasons, up until this season, 2025-2026, his age-40 season. In all, Paul played for seven NBA franchises: New Orleans, Los Angeles, Houston, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Golden State, and San Antonio. His best statistical season might have been 2008-2009 when he averaged 22.8 points, 11.0 assists, and 2.8 steals per game, finishing Top 5 in MVP voting.
Paul will be remembered as maybe the last of a dying breed in the NBA: the pure point guard. He was the true quarterback of his teams, leading to some of the best offenses in the NBA.
