Will Paul retire? He will likely continue to fight next season, although he is 40 years old

On May 28, Chris Paul's future is undoubtedly one of the most concerned topics in the NBA free agent market this summer. The 40-year-old legendary point guard's contract expires after the end of the 2024-25 season, and discussions on whether he will retire and where he will go next season continue to heat up. Based on multi-party information analysis, although Paul has entered his twilight years of his career, he still has a strong desire to continue his career, and the San Antonio Spurs and several championship teams have become the most likely destination.

### 1. Veterans' immortal competitive state

Although they are over 40 years old, Paul still showed his top field control ability last season. During his time with the Spurs, he averaged 9.2 points and 6.8 assists per game, and his three-point shooting percentage remained at a high-quality level of 37.5%. More importantly, he played a catalyst for the growth of young players such as Vinban Yama - data shows that when Paul was on the court, the Spurs' offensive efficiency increased by 8.3 percentage points. The value of this "on-coach" is the core reason why many teams value him.

Paul himself made a clear statement in an interview after the season: "As long as the body allows, I will continue to play. I still enjoy the competition process." His agent recently revealed to ESPN that Paul has started an 8-week special physical training, with the goal directly aiming at next season. Medical experts analyzed that thanks to strict maintenance regimens (including a million-dollar investment in physical maintenance every year), Paul's joint wear is equivalent to the 35-year-old level of an average NBA player.

### 2. The deep logic of the Spurs' contract renewal

Staying in the Spurs is generally regarded as the most likely choice. Brian Wright, president of basketball operations, publicly emphasized on many occasions: "Chris' leadership cannot be measured by data." The Spurs have Paul's early bird rights and can provide a reasonable offer of $16 million for two years. More importantly, Wenban Yama publicly stated at the end of the season: "Playing with CP3 has saved me from two years of detours. "This chemical reaction makes it difficult for the management to give up. At the tactical level, the "dual-core driver" system created by Popovich has begun to show results. When Paul was on the court at the same time as Trey Jones, the Spurs ranked among the top three in the league in assists and turnovers. The team plans to add another wing shooter to the draft to further optimize the space configuration. The Spurs are willing to provide Paul with player options and promise scientific rotations within 25 minutes per game.

### 3. The temptation of the championship team

Several championship teams, including the Lakers, Celtics, and the Suns, have started contact. Lakers general manager Pelinka regards Paul as the "last puzzle" and is willing to provide a $5.9 million special case for the middle class. Boston proposed a more creative plan: sign first and then exchange for Prichard + second round pick. The common selling points of these teams are: a shorter championship window and a more mature tactical system.

However, the potential risks cannot be ignored. A Western Conference scout pointed out: "The team needs him to play for more than 30 minutes, which will accelerate consumption." Compared with the "health season" in the Thunder in 2020 (which helps the team win rate increase by 19%), Paul's two years of high-intensity competition in the Suns did lead to frequent injuries. This is also the main reason why its team prefers the Spurs - extending their career while ensuring competitive state.

### 4. Commercial layout under the countdown to retirement

No matter what choice is made, Paul is simultaneously advancing retirement plans. His 18th generation signature shoes with Nike will be released this fall, and the number of subscriptions to his personal podcast "Point Forward" has exceeded one million. It is worth noting that the property he purchased near the Spurs' home AT&T center was worth $4.2 million, which was interpreted by local media as a "signal of long-term resident".

League sources predict that Paul may eventually choose a "Duncan style" exit method: first sign a 1+1 contract with the Spurs, and directly join the coaching staff after retirement at the age of 43 in 2026. This arrangement can not only satisfy their competitive desires, but also seamlessly connect with management careers. As the Sports Illustrated commented: "When a person regards basketball as breathing, age is just a number. "

In this era when stars frequently hang together, Paul's persistence is particularly precious. Every pass he made is redefining the "veteran's value", and the discussion about retirement may not end until the moment he actually lets go of basketball. For fans, it is a blessing to continue to witness the point guard master's performance.