NBA Insider Discusses Chances of Chris Paul's Retirement This Season

Chris Paul’s incredible NBA career is near its end. He is currently in his 21st NBA season, and will turn 41 during this year’s NBA playoffs. While Paul’s on-court effectiveness has greatly declined, he is still able to contribute to winning basketball. However, as he gets up there in age, people are starting to wonder: when will Chris Paul retire?

NBA insider Marc Spears discussed the possibility of CP3’s retirement on ESPN’s NBA Today. 

"He said he hasn't announced it. I think the expectation is this is it. But after I talked to him, he had his iPad out. He's looking at plays that he's sending to his teammates in order to get more production this season. If he's about to go away, I don't know, man. It seems like he's really engaged and really having fun and prefers to stick around perhaps a little longer.

Chris Paul played all 82 games last season for the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 28 minutes a game. Those aren’t the type of numbers somebody puts up when they are ready to retire. This season, however, his production has seen a significant decline.

Through four games, Paul is averaging just 2.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, and four assists. What’s more concerning is his efficiency. Paul is only shooting 25% from the field and 30% from three so far. These unfortunate statistics could be a sign that this is Paul’s last year. 

Spears’ report indicates that while his talent may not still be there, his engagement still is. So, even if this is CP3’s last season playing on the court, could we see him move into a coaching role immediately? For someone as smart and basketball-obsessed as Paul, it seems like a realistic path.