Chris Paul lands with Raptors in three-team deal as his NBA future turns uncertain

Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 (ET) — Veteran guard Chris Paul has been moved to the Toronto Raptors in a three-team trade, but he is not expected to report to the team, amplifying questions about whether the future Hall-of-Famer will play again this season — or at all. The transaction frees a roster spot for Los Angeles and is projected to trim roughly $7 million from its luxury tax bill, signaling a maneuver driven by flexibility more than on-court plans for the 12-time All-Star.

What the trade means right now

The three-team framework routed Paul’s contract to Toronto, with the move functioning as a cap and roster mechanism more than a basketball addition. With no expectation that he will suit up for the Raptors, the focus shifts to whether his next step is a waiver, a buyout, or a negotiated path that allows him to consider opportunities elsewhere. For Los Angeles, the deal accomplishes two aims in midseason: creates a roster opening and reduces tax obligations, a common incentive for complex, multi-team transactions.

How it unraveled in Los Angeles

Paul’s 2025–26 campaign has been beset by uncertainty since early December, when his role in Los Angeles diminished to the margins. A misalignment on usage and minutes left the 38-year-old effectively shelved, with the team leaning younger and quicker on the perimeter. While Paul has long been prized for late-game orchestration, midrange precision, and elite assist-to-turnover stewardship, the season’s trajectory in Los Angeles pushed him toward the edge of the rotation — a tough reality for a player accustomed to commanding the offense.

Toronto’s stance and the menu of next steps

The immediate indication is that Toronto does not plan to integrate Chris Paul into its rotation. That leaves a familiar set of possibilities: a straightforward waiver, a buyout that returns a portion of guaranteed money in exchange for free agency, or a holding pattern as the front office surveys secondary moves. If he reaches the open market, contenders in need of a stabilizing second-unit playmaker could make exploratory calls, balancing his on-ball value against age, health management, and the minutes he would seek down the stretch.

A legacy that still looms large

Even as this chapter turns murky, Paul’s footprint across the league remains unmistakable. He piloted Oklahoma City to a 44–28 record during his lone season there, shepherding a young group into the postseason and sharpening the habits of emerging star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Across two decades, Paul’s blend of court mapping, defensive guile at the point of attack, and mastery in two-man actions has set a standard for modern floor generals. The notion that his career could be nearing its end underscores how rapidly the NBA’s calculus can shift for veteran guards, even those with All-NBA pedigree.

Who might need him — and what it would take

Should Paul become available, the most natural suitors would be teams seeking a low-turnover organizer to settle bench units and close selected games. The fit hinges on three levers: role clarity (a defined, narrower lane than prime years), health management (ensuring availability in high-leverage moments), and contract math (a path to a team-friendly deal). For franchises hovering near contention but struggling to manage fourth-quarter shot quality, the appeal of Paul’s late-game command remains real. The question is whether both sides can align on opportunity and usage at this stage of his career.

What to watch next

In the coming days, expect clarity on Paul’s roster status in Toronto — specifically whether the team files a waiver request or engages in buyout conversations. From there, the market will take its temperature on a veteran who still offers elite decision-making but requires a tailored context. If no move materializes, an extended pause could nudge the conversation toward an offseason decision on his future. For now, the trade resets the board without resolving the central question: will Chris Paul get one more meaningful run, or has the league turned the page on one of its defining point guards?