Warriors' Chris Paul Says He Won't Retire, Will Return for 20th NBA Season

Paul says he will return for a 20th NBA season in 2024-25, according to The Athletic's Anthony Slater.

"I'll talk to my wife and my kids, my family, my support system, see what it looks like," Paul told Slater. "But this isn't (the end of my career). I know it for sure."

Paul averaged a career-low 9.2 points while adding 6.8 assists in 58 games, 18 of them starts, for the Warriors on the last guaranteed season of his current contract.

The Warriors' play-in exit marks the first time since 2010 Paul won't be making an appearance in the NBA postseason.

The Warriors' decision regarding whether to pick that up is complicated by owner Joe Lacob's stated desire to bring the team under the projected $172 million luxury tax threshold.

The team currently has about $174 million committed to the roster for next season, so committing to Paul or signing pending UFA Klay Thompson would necessitate sending salary out in order to get back under the apron.

Paul told Slater he hadn't "thought about" where he'll be playing in 2024-25 season during the Warriors' push for a playoff spot.

"I'm too in it. I was in the gym at 8 a.m. this morning, lifting and getting ready for this game," Paul told Slater. "When it's time for that, Mike (Dunleavy) and Steve (Kerr), we'll have a conversation and see what it looks like. But I loved it."

Paul enjoyed his time with the Warriors in part because of his connections with Thompson, Steph Curry and Draymond Green and in part because of the team's proximity to his family in Los Angeles, Slater reported.

If the Warriors decide to move on from Paul, he could look to return to the Los Angeles area, where he hasn't played since 2017.

Paul already has a connection to the Los Angeles Clippers after playing six seasons, including five All-Star campaigns, for the team between 2011 and 2017. He also has been previously connected to the Los Angeles Lakers, who last offseason were interested in signing Paul on a veteran minimum contract, Broderick Turner reported for the ˆˆLos Angeles Times.