Nov, 23 2025
When Chris Paul quietly announced that the 2025-26 NBA season would be his last, he didn’t hold a press conference. No dramatic video. No tearful speech. Just a simple statement, shared through his team’s official channels — the Phoenix Suns — on an unannounced day in late October 2025. By the time LeBron James saw it, he didn’t hesitate. Within hours, he posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram — no caption, just a photo of the two of them laughing together at the 2019 All-Star Game, back when both were still chasing titles and the world still believed they had years left.
A Friendship Forged in Fire
They’ve been rivals for two decades. Opponents in eight playoff series. Competitors who pushed each other to the edge. Paul, the cerebral point guard with the icy focus and the 12 All-Star nods. James, the unstoppable force who’s averaged over 27 points per game since 2005. They’ve battled in the Western Conference since Paul’s rookie year in 2005, when the New Orleans Hornets faced off against James’s Cleveland Cavaliers. They met again in 2008, 2010, 2018 — each series defining a generation. But off the court? They’ve always been quiet allies. Roommates at All-Star weekends. Texting after losses. Sharing advice on parenting, business, and handling fame.Paul’s decision wasn’t sudden. Friends say he’s been thinking about this for months. After a 2024-25 season that saw him average 11.2 points and 8.7 assists — down from his peak, but still elite — he realized the grind was taking more than it gave. He missed 18 games due to nagging hamstring issues. He sat out back-to-backs. He joked in locker rooms that he was "running on fumes and caffeine." The Phoenix Suns were out of playoff contention by March. No one expected him to go quietly.
LeBron’s Silent Gesture
LeBron’s Instagram post — a single image, no words — became one of the most talked-about moments in sports social media that week. Over 4.2 million likes. Nearly 300,000 comments. Fans flooded the thread: "This is why they’re legends." "No one else would’ve done it like this."What made it powerful wasn’t the photo. It was what it represented. No grand speech. No endorsement. Just a quiet nod from one icon to another, saying: I see you. I respect you. We did this together.
James, who turns 41 in December 2025, hasn’t announced his own retirement. But he’s been playing fewer minutes. He’s averaging just 24.8 points this season — his lowest since 2007. His body is holding up, but his mind? He’s been seen at youth camps in Akron. Talking to Lakers front office staff about future roles. He knows the end is coming. And seeing Paul take the first step? It hit him.
The Legacy of a Point Guard Who Changed the Game
Chris Paul didn’t just play basketball. He redefined leadership. He’s the only player in NBA history with over 11,000 assists and 2,200 steals. He’s led seven different franchises to the playoffs. He’s been the engine behind teams that never had the star power of the Lakers or Warriors — yet still made deep runs. His 2008 Hornets team, led by him and David West, nearly upset the Spurs. His 2015 Clippers team, with Blake Griffin, pushed the Warriors to seven games. And now, in Phoenix, he’s mentored Devin Booker and Kevin Durant through injuries and heartbreaks.His final season will be a tour. The NBA has already confirmed that arenas from Boston to Portland will hold tribute videos during home games. No jersey retirement yet — that’ll come after. But expect standing ovations every night. Even rivals will rise.
What Comes Next?
Paul hasn’t said if he’ll coach, broadcast, or join front office operations. But sources close to him say he’s already shadowing Tyronn Lue during Clippers practices. He’s studying playbooks. Taking notes on player development. He’s not done with the game — just done with suiting up.As for James? He’s playing the 2025-26 season with a new purpose. Not just to win, but to honor the guys like Paul who paved the way. He’s been seen mentoring younger guards — especially Lakers rookie point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino. "You think you’re the next one," James told him last week. "But you’re just the next in a long line. And you better respect the ones who came before you."
Why This Matters
Paul’s retirement isn’t just about one player leaving. It’s the end of an era. The last of the pre-2010 generation still playing at a high level. The final bridge between the Kobe-and-Shaq era and the Steph-and-Jokic era. When Paul retires, the NBA loses its last true floor general — the kind who ran offenses like conductors, who knew every screen, every rotation, every weakness in the defense before the play even started.And LeBron? He’s now the last man standing from that original class of 2003. The one who stayed. The one who adapted. The one who still runs the floor at 41.
They won’t be on the court together again. But their legacy? It’s still running.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Chris Paul’s retirement affect the Phoenix Suns’ future?
The Suns face a major transition. Paul’s 8.7 assists per game and leadership were critical in organizing their offense. Without him, the team will likely shift to Devin Booker as the primary playmaker, but his assist numbers (5.8 per game) won’t replace Paul’s court vision. Front office sources say they’re targeting a veteran point guard in free agency — possibly Mike Conley — while accelerating the development of rookie TyTy Washington.
What’s the significance of LeBron James’ Instagram tribute?
In an age of curated posts and viral moments, LeBron’s choice to post a silent, candid photo — not a quote or a video — was a deliberate act of reverence. It signaled that some relationships transcend social media noise. The image, taken at the 2019 All-Star Game, captures a rare moment of levity between two intense competitors. It resonated because it was authentic — not performative.
Is Chris Paul a Hall of Fame lock?
Absolutely. Paul is a 12-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA selection, and the only point guard in NBA history with over 11,000 assists and 2,200 steals. He’s won the NBA All-Star Game MVP (2013) and the Olympic gold (2008, 2012). His career win shares (127.3) rank among the top 50 all-time. He’ll be a first-ballot Hall of Famer — and likely the greatest point guard never to win a championship.
Will LeBron James retire after the 2025-26 season?
He hasn’t said. But with his contract ending in 2026 and his minutes dropping to under 30 per game, retirement seems likely. Still, James has defied expectations before. He’s expressed interest in owning an NBA team — possibly in Las Vegas or Los Angeles — and has been involved in Lakers’ front-office discussions. If he does retire, expect a league-wide farewell tour, similar to what Paul will receive.
How does this compare to other NBA retirements?
Unlike Kobe Bryant’s emotional farewell or Dirk Nowitzki’s quiet exit, Paul’s announcement was understated — more like Tim Duncan’s. But the response from peers, especially LeBron, echoes the respect given to legends like Magic Johnson and John Stockton. What’s unique is the digital age: tributes now travel instantly, making Paul’s send-off a global moment, not just a local one.
What’s next for the NBA without Chris Paul?
The league loses its last true point guard maestro — the kind who dictated tempo, controlled the clock, and made everyone around him better. Young guards like Scoot Henderson and Bronny James will now inherit his role as floor generals. But few have his basketball IQ. Expect teams to value playmakers more than ever — and for analytics to start measuring "offensive control" beyond assists and turnovers.