Chris Paul talks retirement: 'This is weird right now' / News - Basketnews.com

Paul said he wasn't going to retire but admitted it felt weird not being in the NBA Playoffs for the first time in more than a decade.

Credit: AP Photo/Loren Elliott - Scanpix Credit AP Photo/Loren Elliott - Scanpix

The Golden State Warriors were eliminated from title contention by losing to the Sacramento Kings in the Play-In Tournament. As such, a long series featuringChris Paul has ended.

Chris Paul

MIN:26.25PTS:9.21 (48.07%)REB:3.84As:6.62ST:1.17BL:0.1TO:1.31GM:58ProfileNBA2023/2024

Paul had made the playoffs every year for more than a decade. He will now have a lot of time off to spend time with his family and think about his future.

"It's an eerie feeling right now," Paul said in a post-game interview with Marc J. Spears from Andscape. "I tore my meniscus in New Orleans back in the 2009-10 season. That was the last time I missed the playoffs. This is weird right now. I get to go be dad earlier than usual. It's tough. It's life in this league. You get back to work and figure out what it looks like next."

This year was the first season in his career when Paul began the majority of games on the bench. In total, he started in only 18 contests during the 2023-24 NBA season. Spending 26.4 minutes on the court, Paul averaged 9.2 points (career-low), 3.9 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game.

Asked about a possible retirement, Paul was quick to deny it.

"That isn't even in question. I just want to get back to playing," he said.

"I loved being there this year. Obviously, once the dust settles, we will talk. I want to see what Mike and them are thinking," Paul said about general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and his future with the Warriors.

Whatever the future holds for Paul, he is happy having played on one team with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.

"Playing with Steph, Draymond, and Klay is something I will never forget. I'm glad I got that opportunity," Paul concluded.

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