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Twelve-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul announced his retirement in a post shared on his Instagram account Friday (February 13).
"This is it! After 21 years I'm stepping away from basketball," Paul said in a statement. "As I write this, it's hard to really know what to feel, but for once - most people would be surprised - I don't have the answer lol! But, mostly I'm filled with so much joy and gratitude! While this chapter of being an "NBA player" is done, the game of basketball will forever be engrained in the DNA of my life. I've been in the NBA for more than half of my life, spanning three decades. It's crazy even saying that!! Playing basketball for a living has been as unbelievable blessing that also came with lots of responsibility. I embraced it all. The good and the bad. As a lifelong learner, leadership is hard and is not for the weak. Some will like you and many people won't. But the goal was always the goal, and my intentions were always sincere (Damn, I love competing!!)"
Paul's decision came after he was waived by the Toronto Raptors, one week after being acquired in a three-team trade with the Brooklyn Nets, two months after the Los Angeles Clippers announced they planned to part ways with him in December. Paul, 40, one of the greatest players in franchise history, returned to the Clippers this past offseason ahead of what he later announced would be his final NBA season before retirement.
"We are parting ways with Chris and he will no longer be with the team," Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank confirmed in a texted statement to ESPN at the time. "Chris is a legendary Clipper who has had a historic career. I want to make one thing very clear. No one is blaming Chris for our underperformance. I accept responsibility for the record we have right now. There are a lot of reasons why we've struggled. We're grateful for the impact Chris has made on the franchise."
Paul, who is the Clippers' leader in assists and steals per game, has averaged 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in 14.3 minutes per game in 16 appearances this season, having never appeared in a game for the Raptors.j