Former New Orleans Hornets star Chris Paul announces that he is retiring from the NBA after 21 years.
The New Orleans Hornets drafted Chris Paul with the fourth overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft. Now, 21 years later, Paul is retiring.
After being waived by the Toronto Raptors on Friday, Paul announced his intention to retire on social media with a long message to the fans.
"This is it! After over 21 years I'm stepping away from basketball. 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," started the guard.
Paul spent the first six years with the Hornets organization. Because of Hurricane Katrina, he didn't get to New Orleans full-time until his third season. Though the end of his time with the team was a bit rough, he will still go down as one of the most important players in franchise history.
In franchise ranks, he is first all-time in assists, steals and triple-doubles. He is in the top three all-time in minutes played, free throws and points.
One of the biggest moments of his time with the Hornets was leading them to their first and only playoff series win in 2008 over the Dallas Mavericks. Though he never won a championship in New Orleans, many will want his jersey retired and hung from the rafters in the Smoothie King Center.
Paul was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2011, sending New Orleans Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu and a first-round pick used to select Austin Rivers. The Hornets had tried to trade him to the Los Angeles Lakers, but that deal was vetoed by David Stern.
The now 40-year-old never got his ring, but he will certainly be a first-ballot Hall of Famer given how decorated his career ended up being. He had two Olympic Gold medals, 12 All-Star nods, nine total All-NBA selections, nine All-Defensive team selections, Rookie of the Year and more. He is second all-time in assists and steals, behind only the unbeatable John Stockton in both.
No matter if his jersey gets retired or not, Paul will always be remembered for what he did for basketball in New Orleans after Katrina.