Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

12x All-Star Chris Paul Returns to LA Clippers For What’s Expected To Be His Farewell Season

So, the Clippers are dreaming of a title with Chris Paul again, but in a different way.

Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

12-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul agreed to return to the Los Angeles Clippers after eight seasons, on Monday night. Thus, the point guard returned to the franchise where his name and fame grew, where he is considered one of the greatest idols in history. However, Chris Paul’s return could have happened to another former team: the Phoenix Suns.

Welcome home, Chris Paul ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hvE5n8nmBY
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) July 21, 2025

That’s because Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic stated that the legendary point guard had a genuine interest in returning to the Suns. However, Chris Paul ultimately chose to stay closer to his family, who live in Los Angeles. The journalist even stated that “CP3” was interested in joining the Lakers, which ultimately didn’t happen.

Interestingly, both the Clippers and the Suns traded Chris Paul. More importantly, Phoenix traded the point guard for Bradley Beal, who also signed with the Clippers and is expected to start alongside James Harden on the perimeter. In early July, Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press reported that CP3 was interested in starting in his final NBA season. Thus, Paul is expected to compete for the fifth and final starting spot with Bradley Beal.

Chris Paul will enter in his 21st season and story comes back to Clippers

From 2011 to 2017, Chris Paul was the face of the Clippers, one of the most entertaining and competitive teams in the NBA at the time. In five of his six seasons, he was an All-Star, an All-NBA selection, and a top-10 MVP. However, his regular-season success never translated into the playoffs. Thus, the point guard’s time with the franchise was ultimately marked by disappointment.

Twelve-time All-Star Chris Paul has agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, CAA's Steven Heumann, Ty Sullivan and Jessica Holtz told ESPN. Paul had multiple suitors, but chose the contending Clippers and their shared history in L.A. for his likely final, 21st NBA season. pic.twitter.com/qC640MFFeI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 21, 2025

Now, Paul returns to a veteran-heavy, yet highly competitive, team. The Clippers will have Harden, Beal, Kawhi Leonard, Nicolas Batum, Brook Lopez, Bogdan Bogdanović, and Kris Dunn: all over 30. However, all are still capable of contributing, and with so much depth, they shouldn’t arrive with significant wear and tear for the postseason. So, the Clippers are dreaming of a title with Chris Paul again, but in a different way.

Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Chris Paul

LA Clippers

NBA 2025-26

Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.