Chris Paul, the perennial All-Star point guard known universally as "CP3" and "The Point God," is planning to retire from the National Basketball Association at the conclusion of the current season, according to sources who spoke with ESPN. The widely anticipated move would bring an end to one of the most decorated careers of the modern era.

Paul, who will conclude his 21st season in the NBA, was drafted No. 4 overall in 2005 and has long been celebrated for his elite floor generalship, mid-range proficiency, and defensive intensity. His retirement will immediately shift the conversation surrounding the future Hall of Famer from his performance on the court to his lasting legacy in the game.

The 12-time All-Star currently holds a statistical standing that places him in rarefied air among the league’s greatest playmakers. Paul ranks second on the NBA’s all-time list for assists and steals, trailing only Hall of Fame guards John Stockton and Jason Kidd in assists and only Stockton in steals. This elite positioning solidifies his status as a first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the most effective two-way guards in history.

Throughout his nearly two-decade tenure, Paul has accumulated an expansive list of accolades that define his consistency and excellence. His resume includes 11 All-NBA selections, with four of those being First Team nods, and nine selections to the All-Defensive Team, demonstrating a mastery of both ends of the court. He has also been a four-time NBA assists champion and a six-time steals leader.

Paul began his career with the New Orleans Hornets, earning Rookie of the Year honors, before embarking on a transformative six-year run with the Los Angeles Clippers. During this period, he became the engine of the high-flying "Lob City" offense, redefining the excitement and expectations of the franchise alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. He later guided the Houston Rockets and the Phoenix Suns to the Western Conference Finals, making his only NBA Finals appearance with the Suns in 2021.

Regardless of where he finishes the season, the announcement marks the end of an era defined by high-IQ basketball and tenacity. While the pursuit of an NBA championship ring remains the one significant accomplishment missing from his storied career.

The final games of the season will now serve as a celebratory countdown, allowing fans and contemporaries to honor the player widely regarded as the best true point guard of his generation.