If you look at the NBA today, Chris Paul is the elder statesman. He’s the "Point God." But honestly, back in 2005, he was just a 6-foot-nothing kid from Wake Forest with a massive chip on his shoulder and a bank account that was, quite literally, hovering at $151.
What year did chris paul get drafted? The answer is 2005. Specifically, June 28, 2005.
It’s easy to forget now that CP3 has dozens of accolades and a clear path to the Hall of Fame, but the night he entered the league wasn’t a foregone conclusion. He wasn't the first pick. He wasn't even the first point guard taken. That draft changed the trajectory of three different franchises and arguably saved basketball in a city that was about to face its darkest hour.
The Night the Hornets Found Their Savior
When the New Orleans Hornets used the 4th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft to select Chris Paul, the room in New York was buzzing. The Hornets were coming off a miserable 18-64 season. They had just traded away Baron Davis. They were a mess.
Most scouts knew Paul was special. At Wake Forest, he was a consensus First Team All-American. He shot a ridiculous 47.4% from three-point range as a sophomore. Yet, three teams passed on him.
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The Milwaukee Bucks took Andrew Bogut at number one. Totally defensible at the time; you don't pass on a 7-foot center with those hands. Then the Atlanta Hawks took Marvin Williams at two. Then—the one that still gets talked about in barbershops today—the Utah Jazz took Deron Williams at three.
Paul was sitting there at four. The Hornets didn't blink.
Why 2005 Was Such a Weird Year to Enter the NBA
You have to remember the context of 2005. This was the final year high school players could jump straight to the pros. We saw guys like Andrew Bynum (10th) and Martell Webster (6th) get taken based on raw potential.
Chris Paul was different. He was polished. But he was also short. In an era where "measurables" were everything, being a 6-foot guard was a "concern."
"He’s the quickest point guard in this draft and has every element except perhaps size." — Scouting reports from June 2005
Then, just two months after the draft, Hurricane Katrina hit.
The Hornets became the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. They played most of their games in OKC. Chris Paul didn't just have to learn how to play against Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson; he had to help a displaced franchise find a temporary home. He ended up paying $750 a month in rent to share a house in Edmond, Oklahoma with his brother. Think about that. A top-five NBA pick living like a regular grad student.
The "What If" That Still Haunts Atlanta and Utah
Looking back at what year did chris paul get drafted, the real story is the comparison with the guys picked ahead of him.
For a solid five years, the "CP3 vs. Deron Williams" debate was the hottest topic in the league. Deron was bigger, stronger, and led Utah to a Conference Finals early. But Paul had the "it" factor. He finished his rookie year leading all first-year players in points, assists, and steals. He nearly won the Rookie of the Year award unanimously, falling just one vote short.
The Atlanta Hawks taking Marvin Williams at #2 remains one of the biggest "what-ifs" in sports history. Imagine a young Joe Johnson paired with Chris Paul in his prime.
Chris Paul's College Stats (2004-2005)
- Points per game: 15.3
- Assists per game: 6.6
- Steals per game: 2.4
- Three-point percentage: 47.4%
From $151 to the Point God
There’s a legendary story Chris Paul tells about the days leading up to the draft. He was a college kid. He had $151 in his bank account. His agent offered him a $100,000 advance.
His parents, being the grounded folks they are, told him that was way too much money for a 19-year-old. They let him take $25,000. Paul famously went straight to the bank to see the statement. $25,151. He then went to the mall and told his friends, "Everybody get you something!"
That’s the guy who entered the league in 2005. A kid who was just happy to have more than a hundred bucks, who then proceeded to dominate the league for two decades.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re a fan of the game or just curious about how draft legacies are built, here is how you can dig deeper into this era of basketball:
- Watch the 2005 Draft Recap: Go to YouTube and search for the 2005 NBA Draft broadcast. Seeing the reactions when Deron Williams went before Chris Paul is a masterclass in how much scouting has changed.
- Check the 2005 All-Rookie Team: Compare the careers of the top 10 picks from that year. It’s a fascinating look at longevity versus "potential."
- Read about the New Orleans/OKC Hornets: If you want to understand why Chris Paul is so beloved in Oklahoma City (where he later returned to play for the Thunder), look up the story of the 2005-06 "homeless" Hornets.
The year Chris Paul was drafted wasn't just a date on a calendar; it was the start of an era that redefined the point guard position for the modern NBA.
Actionable Insight: When evaluating NBA draft prospects today, look for "production over potential." Chris Paul was passed over because of his height, despite having some of the most efficient college stats in history. History usually favors the players who actually know how to play the game, not just the ones who look the part in a suit.