20-year NBA veteran and 12-time All-Star Chris Paul is signing a deal to play this upcoming season – which is expected to be his last – with the Los Angeles Clippers, his agents told ESPN’s Shams Charania. This will be Paul’s second stint with the Clippers, with the first lasting six years from 2011 to 2017.

The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer had multiple suitors, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Hornets, and Dallas Mavericks. However, he chose to sign with the Clippers because of their ability to contend and the history he has with the team. The deal will also allow Paul to be closer to his family, who live in LA.

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

This is the latest free agent acquisition made by the Clippers over the last week. On July 16th, they agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal with former Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal.

This will be Chris Paul’s third team since leaving Phoenix in 2023. Since then, he has suited up for the Golden State Warriors as well as the San Antonio Spurs last season, where he averaged 8.8 points, 7.4 assists, and 3.6 rebounds in 82 games.

Another unclutch veteran for the Clippers

Is Los Angeles becoming the NBA’s retirement home? James Harden is turning 36 next month. Kawhi Leonard just turned 34. Then they added Beal (32), and now, Chris Paul (40). Arguably, the four most important members of the Clippers have an average age of 35.5. That’s less than ideal considering the Clippers were the third-oldest team in the NBA last season.

This deal gives LA a good backup point guard option. But to me, this seems like more of a feel-good story and a way to sell tickets. After all, Chris Paul is arguably the best player in Clippers history. Plus, his six-year tenure with the team was one of the most successful stretches in the franchise’s history.

This is not necessarily a signing that pushes the Clippers over the top and makes them a championship-winning team. I️ don’t think any team is a 40-year-old backup point guard away from winning a chip. Granted, Chris Paul was one of the best passers in the NBA last season, but his assist stats were inflated by being the Spurs’ starting point guard. He won’t average over seven assists per game coming off the bench this coming season.

Clippers’ roster has MAJOR depth

G: James Harden, Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kris Dunn
F: Kawhi Leonard, John Collins, Derrick Jones Jr., Nic Batum
C: Ivica Zubac, Brook Lopez

They will finish as a __ seed in the West? pic.twitter.com/Qx8YsnU6PX

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 21, 2025

The Clippers are putting all their chips on the table. Based on the age of their star players, I️ think Los Angeles realizes that this is the team’s best shot to win a championship with its current core of players. Their stars aren’t getting any younger, so they’re exhausting all resources to build the most balanced roster they can. Unfortunately, LA’s depth chart is littered with guys who have come up short in big moments. James Harden, Bradley Beal, and Chris Paul are three of the most disappointing players in the league currently, particularly in terms of their playoff performances.

Similarly to the Bradley Beal signing, this move doesn’t give the Clippers enough to get over the hump in the Western Conference. Chris Paul will contribute less than ten points and probably around five assists per game this season with the Clippers. That won’t be enough to help LA break through the pack and win the West.