Chris Paul returns to Clippers for
what's expected to be his 21st and final NBA season
[July 22, 2025]
By BETH HARRIS
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chris Paul is rejoining the Los Angeles Clippers
for what's expected to be the point guard's 21st and final NBA
season.
The team confirmed Monday afternoon that Paul had signed. He led the
Clippers to the playoffs in each of his six seasons in Los Angeles.
"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,” Lawrence Frank, president of basketball
operations, said in a statement.
Paul, a 12-time All-Star, was a free agent after playing all 82
games for the San Antonio Spurs last season, becoming the first NBA
player to do so in his 20th season or later. He averaged 8.8 points
and 7.4 assists while shooting 43% from the floor.
Paul had stated that he wanted to play the upcoming season close to
his family, which lives in Los Angeles.
He joins a veteran roster that includes new additions guard Bradley
Beal, forward John Collins and center Brook Lopez, as well as Kawhi
Leonard, James Harden and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
“Chris will help fortify our backcourt with his exceptional
ballhandling, playmaking and shooting," Frank said Monday.
Paul played six seasons for the Clippers during their “Lob City” era
with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. He made five All-Star teams
from 2012 to 2017 and his 4,023 assists are still the most in
franchise history. He averaged 18.8 points, 9.8 assists, 4.2
rebounds and 2.2 steals in 409 games.
Paul left the Clippers for the Houston Rockets in 2017 because he
felt it was time for a change and he wanted to compete for a
championship with Harden. Paul spent two seasons in Houston before
going to Oklahoma City for one season. He then spent three years
with Phoenix and one with Golden State before joining the Spurs last
season, who finished 13th in the Western Conference at 34-48.
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San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) shoots over Los Angeles
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) during the first half of an NBA
basketball game in Los Angeles, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung
Gong, file)
The Clippers finished fifth at 50-32 and lost to
Denver in seven games in the first round.
Frank had said Saturday that the team was “strongly considering"
signing Paul to join a crowded guard rotation of Harden, Beal,
Bogdanovic and Kris Dunn.
Paul will come off the bench.
“He is joining us as a reserve point guard and is excited to fill
whatever role (coach) Tyronn Lue asks him to play,” Frank said. "He
wants to be part of the group and we’re fortunate to have him back.”
The Clippers want to preserve Harden, who played nearly 2,800
minutes last season at age 35 in his 16th NBA season. They view Paul
as insurance against injuries that typically impact a roster during
an 82-game season, plus the playoffs.
“Role awareness, especially in this next roster spot, will be
critical,” Frank said.
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