“I don’t want it to end like that” - Chris Paul reflects on his NBA journey and retirement plans amid Clippers' uncertainty

In a recent interview with Kevin Hart, Chris Paul reflected on his NBA journey and the amount of respect he has for the league, possibly hinting at an expected comeback. Chris Paul has already built one of the most respected careers in basketball history, earning 12 All-Star selections, and is widely considered a future Hall of Famer. Paul spent 6 seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2011-2017, before being traded to the Houston Rockets. Paul made his return to the Clippers in mid 2025 after his one-year contract, worth $11 million, with the Los Angeles Spurs, as a free agent, came to an end. His return to the Clippers, the team where he had some of the best years of his career, made his fans excited for what they thought would be his final NBA season.

The season, however, didn't really go as planned. After just 16 games on the court, and the Clippers’ team struggling with one of the league’s worst records ever, the team made a surprising decision. On December 3, 2025, the Los Angeles Clippers announced over social media that they were releasing Chris Paul. The decision was quite sudden, and it shocked fans and the NBA insiders alike.

Chris Paul leaves the door open on retirement during Kevin Hart's podcast appearance

Chris Paul recently appeared on the “Good Sports” podcast, which is hosted by Kevin Hart, alongside Kenan Thompson. In the podcast, Paul was asked if his NBA career has come to an end, to which he responded that he is expecting to return to the league. “I’m working out and training every day, I just love this game so much that I don’t want it to end like that”, Paul responded to the question, adding, “I’ve enjoyed the time for sure, but I don’t know yet. I don’t know what team I hope to finish with”. And even though Hart pushed towards getting a stronger response, Paul remained calm. His response was subtle, yet it hinted at his expectations towards a possible return. Hart responded by calling Paul a “polished professional”, for handling the question smartly without calling anyone out.


Chris Paul responded to the shocking news of him being released by the Clippers through an Instagram post, saying he had “just found out” that he was “being sent home”. According to an earlier report by ESPN, it was stated that Chris Paul was having an internal tension going on with the Clippers’ organization, due to his leadership qualities. The report also noted that Paul clashed with the head coach, Tyronn Lue, with sources indicating that the two did not communicate for several weeks, which might have resulted in the release.

Fans react with mixed emotions as Chris Paul opens up about what comes next in his NBA future

Fans over social media have responded to this recent interview with mixed reactions. “Sucks it had to end like that but it’s time unc…”, one fan commented. “So just pick one that has a chance to win”, the other one wrote. “Go to New Orleans, finish where you started”, a fan commented, suggesting Paul to go back to his roots. “He doesn’t have a choice, no team wants him”, one fan added. “Leave the game before the game leaves you”, another one bluntly reacted.

These reactions highlight a mix of emotions that the fans feel towards Paul, with some suggesting him to leave the game, while others urging him to keep continuing.


Also Read: NBA legend Luka Doncic enters American rapper Snoop Dogg’s elite list featuring Tom Brady and Dr Dre


Get the latest WPL 2026 updates including WPL teams, full WPL 2026 schedule, and live scores for Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants, and Delhi Capitals. Also check the latest WPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.