Chris Paul returns to Clippers for what's expected to be his 21st and final NBA season

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chris Paul is rejoining the Los Angeles Clippers for what's expected to be the point guard's 21st and final NBA season.

The team confirmed Monday afternoon that Paul had signed. He led the Clippers to the playoffs in each of his six seasons in Los Angeles.

"Chris is one of the most impactful players ever to wear a Clippers uniform and it’s appropriate that he returns to the team for this chapter of his career,” Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, said in a statement.

Paul, a 12-time All-Star, was a free agent after playing all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs last season, becoming the first NBA player to do so in his 20th season or later. He averaged 8.8 points and 7.4 assists while shooting 43% from the floor.

Paul had stated that he wanted to play the upcoming season close to his family, which lives in Los Angeles.

He joins a veteran roster that includes new additions guard Bradley Beal, forward John Collins and center Brook Lopez, as well as Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

“Chris will help fortify our backcourt with his exceptional ballhandling, playmaking and shooting," Frank said Monday.

Paul played six seasons for the Clippers during their “Lob City” era with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. He made five All-Star teams from 2012 to 2017 and his 4,023 assists are still the most in franchise history. He averaged 18.8 points, 9.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals in 409 games.

Paul left the Clippers for the Houston Rockets in 2017 because he felt it was time for a change and he wanted to compete for a championship with Harden. Paul spent two seasons in Houston before going to Oklahoma City for one season. He then spent three years with Phoenix and one with Golden State before joining the Spurs last season, who finished 13th in the Western Conference at 34-48.

The Clippers finished fifth at 50-32 and lost to Denver in seven games in the first round.

Frank had said Saturday that the team was “strongly considering" signing Paul to join a crowded guard rotation of Harden, Beal, Bogdanovic and Kris Dunn.

Paul will come off the bench.

“He is joining us as a reserve point guard and is excited to fill whatever role (coach) Tyronn Lue asks him to play,” Frank said. "He wants to be part of the group and we’re fortunate to have him back.”

The Clippers want to preserve Harden, who played nearly 2,800 minutes last season at age 35 in his 16th NBA season. They view Paul as insurance against injuries that typically impact a roster during an 82-game season, plus the playoffs.

“Role awareness, especially in this next roster spot, will be critical,” Frank said.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

FILE - San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul sits on the Cleveland Cavaliers bench before an NBA basketball game, April 4, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate, File)

FILE - San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, file)

FILE - San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) celebrates a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors, April 13, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate, File)

CINCINNATI (AP) — After opening the season as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns facing the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Flacco will close the season as the backup for the Bengals as they face the Browns on Sunday.

Flacco was dealt to the Bengals in October and made six starts for the Bengals while Joe Burrow was out with a toe injury.

“I don’t really think about putting a label on it,” Flacco said. “It’s crazy. Seasons always go by quick once they’ve started. But the way that this one went, it seems like it flew by.”

During the summer, in Cleveland Browns training camp, Flacco won a competition for the starting quarterback job and made four starts for Cleveland. In Week 1 against the Bengals, Flacco threw for 290 yards.

He said that over the past 17 weeks, he has seen improvement from the Bengals defense. Now, he refers to the Bengals defense as his team’s defense.

“We’re stopping the run,” Flacco said. “We’re getting more pressure on the quarterback. When you combine those two things, it’s going to help you out.”

While Flacco went 1-5 as a starter in Cincinnati, the 40-year-old played well. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals offense averaged more than 27 points per game.

Flacco said that he developed a lot of respect for Bengals coach Zac Taylor.

“He has a lot of strengths,” Flacco said. “He’s really good at what he does. His demeanor, his overall personality and the way he leads men is really good. The way he puts game plans together. Also, he’s willing to allow it to be collaborative. That’s a strength. His game day play-calling is also something he does really well.”

Burrow took over as the starter when he returned on Thanksgiving, and Flacco has been the backup over the past month.

Flacco will be a free agent again at the end of the season. As he evaluates his options, he’s hoping to find another chance to play and to start.

“That’s always a priority,” Flacco said. “I’m somebody who wants to play football. You’ve got to assess and see whatever is thrown your way. You have to go from there and see what you can do about it.”

He said that he’d be open to returning to the Bengals, but he’ll weigh several factors.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Flacco said. “I don’t hope to do anything. I have an idea of maybe of what some goals would be. I’ll go from there and see what happens.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco throws during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)