It is the end of an era for basketball fans. On February 13, 2026, Chris Paul—affectionately known as CP3—decided to hang up his sneakers after 21 years in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The man also known as the “Point God” broke the news on social media with a message that read: “This is it!” For anyone who has grown up watching the NBA over the past two decades, it is impossible to imagine an NBA season without CP3 running the show on the court.

Paul’s journey began in 2005 with the New Orleans Hornets, where he immediately proved himself to be a star by earning the 2005-06 NBA T-Mobile Rookie of the Year award. But he was more than talent—he was the embodiment of leadership. Whether it was building the Los Angeles Clippers into “Lob City,” leading a young Oklahoma City Thunder roster into the playoffs or guiding the Phoenix Suns to the Finals, Paul could make every single one of his teammates better. He will go down as one of the most decorated players in history, a 12-time All-Star and second all-time in both assists and steals, as well as being named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team alongside other legends like LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and John Stockton. He was the type of player who saw the court three plays ahead of everyone else, using his brain as much as his talent for the game.

However, the final chapter of his career was a bit of a rollercoaster to say the least. After a fantastic stint as a young players’ coach for the San Antonio Spurs, he attempted to have one final “homecoming” run with the Clippers. Unfortunately, it did not end quite like a fairy tale. After a brief stint with the Toronto Raptors following a trade earlier this month, the 40-year-old veteran realized that instead of putting on yet another jersey, he was ready to call it quits on his own terms. In his final farewell, he admitted that being a leader is exhausting and “not for the weak,” but also made it clear that basketball would always be in his DNA.

Even without a championship ring, Paul’s legacy is firmly etched in NBA history. He was more than an elite player; he served as president of the National Basketball Players Association for eight years and became a mentor to the next generation of stars. He proved that greatness isn’t measured by height, but by heart, intelligence and leadership. As he goes into retirement, the NBA loses a veteran, a mentor and one of the smartest floor generals in history, and his impact on the game will never be forgotten.