Chris Paul’s mid-season retirement has left a lasting impact on the Oklahoma City Thunder, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort crediting him as a mentor and role model. Despite his decision to step away from the game, Paul’s influence continues to shape the careers of the young players he coached during his brief stint with the Thunder in 2019-20.

Professionalism and Discipline

Paul, who was waived by the Toronto Raptors in February 2026, spent one season with the Thunder before being traded to the Raptors at the trade deadline. During that time, he became a mentor to SGA and Lu Dort, teaching them the importance of professionalism, film study, and taking care of their bodies.

SGA, who was just a 20-year-old rookie during the 2019-20 season, has often spoken about how Paul was the first point guard he studied. He recalls watching Paul’s ability to read the pick-and-roll and control the game, which set the standard for what a point guard should be.

Paul’s commitment to his physical health was also a key lesson for SGA. He switched to a plant-based diet in 2019 and hired a personal chef, a deep-tissue specialist, and a biomechanics trainer. This discipline has now influenced SGA, who spends each offseason improving his game with a dedicated team of trainers.

The Impact on Lu Dort

Lu Dort, the only other active Thunder player who was teammates with Paul, credits him for his own development. During the 2019-20 playoffs, Dort played elite defense on James Harden, who was averaging 34.3 points per game at the time. Dort attributes much of that success to the time he spent with Paul studying film on Harden.

Dort still uses an iPad gifted to him by Paul for watching film, a habit he says has become a crucial part of his career. He described Paul as a mentor who taught him a lot on and off the court, and he continues to carry that respect into his current role as an All-Defensive first-team guard and NBA champion.

Paul’s influence on Dort is evident in the way he approaches the game. He has become one of the best defensive guards in the league, a position he credits in part to the lessons he learned from Paul during his time with the Thunder.

A Legacy That Endures

Paul’s retirement was not a clean exit from the NBA. He was waived by the Raptors in February 2026 after being traded from the Clippers, a move that SGA found disappointing. He expressed sadness over the way Paul’s career ended, saying he believed Paul deserved more recognition for his contributions to the game.

Despite the circumstances of his exit, Paul’s legacy as a player and mentor remains intact. He is an 11-time All-NBA player, a nine-time All-Defensive player, and a 12-time All-Star. His impact on the game and on players like SGA and Dort is undeniable.

SGA has said that Paul’s influence has helped him become the player he is today. He credits Paul for teaching him the importance of taking the game seriously and for showing him the value of discipline and preparation. He also expressed pride in the fact that Paul’s legacy will continue through the players who now carry the torch of elite point guard play.

Paul’s career, while ending abruptly, has left a lasting impact on the NBA and the players who followed in his footsteps. His legacy is not just in the records he set but in the way he inspired others to take their craft seriously and to strive for excellence on and off the court.