Chris Paul Returns to the Los Angeles Clippers for 21st NBA Season
Chris Paul, a 12-time NBA All-Star, is set to return to the Los Angeles Clippers for his 21st season, as confirmed by the team on Monday.
At 40 years old, Paul joins the Clippers as a free agent after a season with the San Antonio Spurs. Notably, during the 2024-2025 season, he made history by being the first player to participate in all 82 games in a season while in his 20th year or later.
Widely recognized as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, Paul enjoyed the peak of his career with the Clippers from 2011 to 2017. Alongside stars Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, the trio known as "Lob City" ushered in the most successful era in the franchise's history up to that point.
"Chris is one of the most impactful players ever to wear a Clippers uniform and it's appropriate that he returns to the team for this chapter of his career," stated Lawrence Frank, President of Basketball Operations. "He wants to be part of the group and we're fortunate to have him back."
Despite their impressive regular-season performances, the Clippers fell short of reaching the Western Conference Finals during Paul's tenure. In 2017, he was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he partnered with James Harden, leading the team to within one game of the NBA Finals in his debut season. His journey continued with the Phoenix Suns, culminating in an NBA Finals appearance in 2021, where they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Paul's career also includes stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors after his initial departure from the Clippers. He began his professional journey with the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans), where he played for six seasons.
Now back in Inglewood, Paul aims for his first championship alongside a roster filled with talent. He reunites with former teammate Harden and joins forces with Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac, Ben Simmons, and offseason acquisitions John Collins and Bradley Beal.
The Clippers' recent roster enhancements position them as serious contenders for a title, even amid a competitive Western Conference. Last season, L.A. pushed the Denver Nuggets to seven games in the first round of the playoffs before being eliminated. The Nuggets advanced through another seven-game series in the Western Conference Semi-Finals but ultimately lost to the Thunder, who claimed the championship.
With this lineup, Paul is expected to come off the bench, which may benefit him at this stage of his career. He averaged over seven assists per game with the Spurs last season, demonstrating his ability to contribute effectively even on a team that lacked scoring options. The Clippers now boast several scoring threats in Harden, Leonard, and Beal, alleviating some of the offensive pressure on Paul.
