Chris Paul has indicated that the 2025-26 season will be his last in the NBA before retirement. The veteran guard has chosen to return to a familiar place where he achieved significant success during his Hall of Fame career.
The Los Angeles Clippers have reached a one-year agreement with Paul, as reported by insider Chris Haynes. He will reportedly earn $3.6 million in this deal, returning to the Clippers, where he helped elevate the team’s profile during his time as the leader from 2011 to 2017.
At 40 years old, Paul is coming off a strong season. He was one of just 11 players in the league to participate in all 82 games. While his scoring has declined over the years, he remains a skilled playmaker. Interestingly, he’s shifted to taking more three-pointers; last season, over 63% of his shot attempts were from beyond the arc, a substantial increase from his previous high of 49% back during his time with the Rockets in 2019.
The Clippers faced disappointment in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs, losing to the Denver Nuggets in Game 7. Since then, they’ve added players like Bradley Beal, John Collins, and Brook Lopez to strengthen their lineup, although they’ve lost Norman Powell, one of their key contributors. The team’s potential primarily hinges on the performance of Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, but their ability to maintain financial flexibility while deepening their roster is commendable.
Paul and Harden were part of a formidable backcourt on the 2018 Rockets team, which achieved 65 wins but fell short in the Western Conference Finals. While the Clippers were unable to advance past the second round during Paul’s initial tenure, they were in contention each year. His return to the Clippers echoes a recent trend of franchise legends highlighting their return home, similar to Damian Lillard signing with the Blazers last week.
The decision to let Paul George go in the 2024 free agency appears to be a strategic success. His year with the team was marred by injuries and performance issues. The Clippers and the Philadelphia 76ers have used the newfound salary cap flexibility to strengthen their squads, with Paul now being a significant addition.
The Clippers are set to be the oldest team in the league next season, with Paul being the second oldest player after LeBron James. Other aging players include Kawhi Leonard (34), James Harden (36 in August), Beal (32), Bogdan Bogdanovic (33 in August), and Lopez (37). However, it seems they have enough young talent to keep the rotation fresh.
How will the Clippers stack up in the Western Conference next season? They seem to be in a better spot compared to last year, finishing with 50 wins and securing the No. 5 seed. The Oklahoma City Thunder look like solid front-runners, with the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets also in the mix. The Clippers will likely compete with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors for home-court advantages.
The Clippers have considerable flexibility to reshape their roster in the coming years as Leonard and Harden age. This season’s team is deep and experienced, ranking among the top tiers in the West, even if they seem more like a 2nd or 3rd-tier team. The CP3 signing showcases that the Clippers are evolving into one of the more astute organizations in the NBA.
