Last season, he played all 82 games, making history! How much fuel does 40-year-old Paul have left?

At 40, Chris Paul signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Clippers, returning to a team he knows well. Paul will embark on the final season of his career with the Clippers; how much fuel is left in his tank?

Last season, he managed to play all 82 games

starting in every game. How impressive is that? In the 2024-25 season, only six players in the entire league can achieve this feat. Besides Paul, there are Barnes from the Spurs, Bridges from the Knicks, Allen from the Cavaliers, McDaniels from the Timberwolves, and Jalen Green from the Rockets.

Paul is undoubtedly the oldest among them; he is the third player in NBA history to play all 82 games at 39, joining Stockton and Jordan. He is also the first player in NBA history to start all 82 games in his 20th season.

“It’s incredible,” Paul said at the time. “I talked about this with my wife. When you’re in it, you don’t really think about those things. It’s like, ‘Okay, this is the 30th game. Alright, this is the 40th game. Just another game.’ This is only the second time in my career that I’ve played all 82 games, and after so many years, I know how difficult that is.”

Paul is the 11th player in NBA history to play through his 20th season. As the league's current "Iron Man," Bridges feels he cannot replicate the achievements of his former Suns teammate.

“That’s why CP is one of the greatest players ever,” Bridges said. “But I don’t think I can play that long, no matter how many years he’s played.”

“I know there’s still fuel in the tank,” Paul said. “My love for basketball is still there.”

How strong is CP3 as a backup?

Returning to the Clippers, Paul will likely move to the bench, taking on the role of backup to former teammate Harden. Reports suggest that one reason Paul had not decided on his future earlier was his desire to remain a starter. Clippers president Frank revealed in an official statement that Paul is willing to accept any role, indicating he has come to terms with it.

Throughout his career, Paul has played 1,354 games, with 1,314 as a starter. He ranks 7th in NBA history for most games started, behind James (1,560 starts), Karl Malone (1,471 starts), Nowitzki (1,460 starts), Garnett (1,425 starts), Duncan (1,389 starts), and Kidd (1,350 starts).

The 40 games Paul played as a backup all occurred during the 2023-24 season with the Warriors. In those 40 games, he averaged 24.5 minutes, contributing 8.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.6 assists, with a shooting percentage of 42.9% and a three-point shooting percentage of 33.1%. Although his individual performance was not as strong as when he started, the team's overall statistics were better. In the 18 games he started, the Warriors averaged a loss of 1.0 points, while in the 40 games he came off the bench, they averaged a win of 6.2 points.

In the 82 games Paul played for the Spurs last season, the team's defensive efficiency showed little change whether he was on the court (117.8) or not (117.1). However, there was a significant difference in offensive efficiency; when Paul was on the court, the Spurs had an offensive efficiency of 116.5, ranking 7th in the league, while without him, it dropped to 111.8, placing them 22nd.

All signs indicate that Paul’s current state and ability are more than sufficient for the backup point guard role. However, according to renowned reporter Windhorst, Paul’s return to the Clippers will not guarantee him playing time. “Some nights, James Harden and their backup Chris Dunn will be the point guards and get playing time, while Chris Paul might not play at all... He understands this.”

This is Paul’s last season, and also his final chance to chase a championship. Starting? Stats? These are no longer important; Paul should hope to present his healthiest self in the playoffs and possibly the finals. Throughout his career, neither Paul nor Harden has tasted the sweetness of a championship. Will they fulfill their championship dreams together next season? Let’s wait and see.