Chris Paul Trade Rumors Explode as NBA Contenders Line Up — Contract Details, Possible Destinations & What Happens Next

LOS ANGELES — Future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul is officially back where “Lob City” was born, signing a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers on July 21, 2025, for what he says will be his 21st and final NBA season. The 12-time All-Star revealed during an introductory news conference that returning to L.A. felt “like the perfect closing chapter,” citing proximity to family and “unfinished business” after the franchise’s 2023 Western Conference Finals run. Paul, now 40, emphasized that the only goal left on his résumé is a championship ring. Off the court, Paul simultaneously rolled out “The Chris Paul Collective,” a venture fund and mentorship platform designed to invest in Black-owned startups and NIL-era college athletes. He announced the initiative on Instagram, noting he is “excited to build generational wealth and opportunity for communities that look like me”. Early partners reportedly include former teammate Blake Griffin and tech entrepreneur Baron Davis. Sources close to the organization say the Clippers granted Paul’s long-time wish by assuring him a defined role as second-unit orchestrator and late-game closer, rather than a full-time starter. Head coach Tyronn Lue plans to stagger Paul’s minutes alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to preserve the veteran’s legs for the postseason. Paul has already declared that he will retire after the 2025-26 campaign, giving fans a season-long farewell tour that is expected to boost ticket sales and national TV slots. According to Forbes, the Wake Forest alum has earned more than $400 million in playing salary alone, enabling him to pivot aggressively into business and philanthropy during retirement. On the floor, analysts believe Paul’s elite mid-range game and basketball IQ can stabilize a Clippers squad that ranked 27th in assist percentage last season. If the veteran can stay healthy, Los Angeles projects as a top-three seed in a Western Conference reshaped by the Spurs’ rise and Denver’s quiet offseason. Key upcoming dates include Paul’s preseason debut on October 5 against the Phoenix Suns and an emotional November 15 matchup in Oklahoma City, where the franchise will retire his No. 3 jersey at halftime. As Chris Paul embarks on his final chase for a Larry O’Brien Trophy, both his entrepreneurial and on-court legacies appear poised to expand, cementing one of the most influential careers of the NBA’s modern era.