Donovan Mitchell did not hold back when discussing how Chris Paul’s career concluded, calling the circumstances surrounding the veteran guard’s exit from the league “BS.”
In an interview with Andscape’s Marc J. Spears, the Cleveland star addressed Paul’s retirement following the 2025-26 season. “To see [Paul’s] career end the way it did, I think it’s BS. I don’t know. I don’t see all the reports. I don’t know the ins and outs of everything. That’s not my job. But I know when you have a guy like that, there’s a level that he has to be [respected] and he wasn’t given that opportunity, which I think is messed up,” Mitchell said.
Paul, 40, officially announced he would retire at the end of the season on November 22, 2025, announcing the decision during a game against the Charlotte Hornets in his home state of North Carolina. He later shared a video on Instagram reflecting on his 21-year NBA journey.
The future Hall of Famer began the 2025-26 campaign with the Los Angeles Clippers on a one-year deal, returning to the franchise where he led the “Lob City” era. His stint was brief, as the Clippers sent him home in early December before trading him to the Toronto Raptors at the February 4 deadline.
Toronto waived him nine days later, effectively closing the book on his playing career.
In his final season, Paul averaged 2.5 points, 3.8 assists and 0.8 steals in 14.8 minutes per game. He appeared in 10 games with the Clippers and eight with the Raptors, serving primarily as a reserve and mentor.
Despite the reduced role, his résumé remains historic. Paul retires second all-time in assists (12,532) and steals (2,727), trailing only John Stockton in both categories. He earned 12 All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA honors and nine All-Defensive Team nods, and was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
Mitchell emphasized the broader impact Paul had on the league and its players. “But all that being said, he’s a hell of a person. Hell of a point guard. Hell of a player. He has done so much for this game. As a president of the [players’ union] he’s done so much for us. I was going to pay my respect to CP, because he’s done so much for me, but also for the game of basketball,” he said.
