Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul sent out a heartfelt video message to fans of the team after falling to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs.

Paul got emotional while speaking:

“I just want to say a huge thank you to Oklahoma City, the fans, and everybody for the way that you guys welcomed me back with open arms after starting my first two years in the city,” Paul said.

“I don't know what the future holds, but I think I made some connections and bonds with these guys that will last a lifetime.

“I hate that it ended as early as it did, but Oklahoma City will always have a special place in my heart,” Paul said in closing.

Oklahoma City acquired Paul as part of a trade with the Houston Rockets in July 2019 — the same deal that sent Russell Westbrook to Houston. The former Wake Forest standout played well for the Thunder, especially in the postseason.

Paul and the Thunder took the Rockets to seven games, giving basketball fans around the globe an exciting series to watch. The 15-year veteran willed his team to victory in Game 6, scoring 15 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter alone. Then, in the final matchup, he laid it all on the line, becoming the oldest player to record a triple-double in a Game 7. Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James held the previous record at 31 years and 172 days of age.

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Paul is owed a fully guaranteed $41.4 million next season, so there is a good chance that he’ll be wearing a Thunder jersey again in 2020-21, though he could find himself in trade rumors again. The future Hall of Famer is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2022.