40-year-old Chris Paul announced Friday he is retiring during his 21st season, with the Raptors reportedly waiving him earlier in the day, per ESPN.
Paul said before the season this would be his last in the NBA.
“This is it! After 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 lo!” Paul posted to Instagram on Friday afternoon. “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.”
Paul began this season with the Clippers, whom he starred for from 2011-17, before being traded to the Toronto Raptors before the Feb. 5 trade deadline after a falling out with the Los Angeles Clippers.