These 15 NBA Veterans Should Really Just Retire Already

By Greg Sacidor

15 NBA Veterans Who Should Just Retire Already

Washington Wizards v Minnesota Timberwolves — After the NBA crowns its champion later this year, it will be time for both teams and players to begin contemplating their future. While some players will decide whether or not to test the free agent market, others will consider whether or not to call it quits. When it comes time to make this decision, these are 15 NBA veterans who should just retire.

15. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan

15. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan — After winning his fifth NBA Championship last year, Tim Duncan had the perfect opportunity to end his career on a high note. Instead, Duncan decided to come back for another season in an attempt to win back-to-back titles for the first time in his career. Whether Duncan does win back-to-back titles or not, his contract expires at the end of the season, which offers this surefire first ballot Hall of Famer another perfect chance to end his career.

14. Manu Ginobili

Manu Ginobili

14. Manu Ginobili

Manu Ginobili — A longtime teammate of Tim Duncan who should also call it quits is the 13-year NBA veteran Manu Ginobili. At 37 years old, Ginobili’s contract expires at the end of this season just like Duncan’s. After averaging career lows in minutes and points per game this season, it is time for Ginobili to finally walk away from the sport of basketball.

13. Sebastian Telfair

Sebastian Telfair

13. Sebastian Telfair

Sebastian Telfair — He may only be 29-years-old, but it is time for Sebastian Telfair to put an end to his NBA career. When he entered the NBA back in 2004, Telfair was one of the most highly-rated high school prospects in the entire country. After bouncing around the NBA for nine seasons, Telfair did not play during the 2013-14 season. His return to the league this season was short lived as he only appeared in 16 games with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

12. Ben Gordon

Ben Gordon

12. Ben Gordon

Ben Gordon — The No. 3 overall pick in the 2004 draft, Ben Gordon never lived up to his full potential while in the NBA. After signing with the Orlando Magic last July, Gordon appeared in 56 games this season. In these 56 games, Gordon averaged a measly 6.2 points per game, which was sadly an improvement from his 2013-14 average of 5.2.

11. Elton Brand

Getty Images

11. Elton Brand

Getty Images

Another former top pick who needs to retire is Elton Brand. After he was released by the Philadelphia 76ers via the NBA’s amnesty provision back in July of 2012, many thought Brand’s career was over. Since then, Brand has managed to stay in the league for three more seasons, including the last two with the Atlanta Hawks. This season Brand contributed very little to one of the best teams in the league as he only played about 13 minutes per game.

10. Nazr Mohammed

Nazr Mohammed

10. Nazr Mohammed

Nazr Mohammed — A 17-year veteran of the NBA, Nazr Mohammed has played for eight NBA franchises during his career, including the Chicago Bulls who he has been with since 2012. Over the last two seasons with the Bulls, Mohammed has played only about six minutes per game. At 37 years old and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, it is time for Mohammed to finally retire.

9. Mike Miller

Mike Miller

9. Mike Miller

Mike Miller — After winning two NBA Championships with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013, Mike Miller separated from LeBron James and joined the Memphis Grizzlies last season. After a year away from him, Miller rejoined James prior to this season, except this time it was with the Cleveland Cavaliers. At 35 years old, Miller didn't play a major role for the Cavaliers this season as he only appeared in 52 games.

8. Jermaine O'Neal

Jermaine O'Neal

8. Jermaine O'Neal

Jermaine O'Neal — An 18-year veteran of the NBA, Jermaine O'Neal expressed interest in returning to the NBA at some point during the second-half of this season. Despite having interest from several teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, O'Neal never returned this season. After now having taken an entire year off, O'Neal should not return for a 19th season.

7. Andre Miller

Andre Miller

7. Andre Miller

Andre Miller — Although he was able to play in 81 games this past season, Andre Miller did just turn 39 years old last month. As currently the oldest player in the entire NBA, Miller averaged career lows in minutes, points and field goal attempts per game. He may want to chase that ever-elusive NBA Championship, but at this stage in his career, Miller needs to hang up his sneakers for good.

6. Kenyon Martin

Kenyon Martin

6. Kenyon Martin

Kenyon Martin — In January of 2015, Kenyon Martin began his 15th NBA season when he signed a 10-day contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite signing a second 10-day contract and eventually for the season, Martin was released by the Bucks in February. Having not played more than 40 games in a season since 2011-12, when he was with the Los Angeles Clippers, Martin needs to end his NBA career immediately.

5. Andrei Kirilenko

Andrei Kirilenko

5. Andrei Kirilenko

Andrei Kirilenko — After 10 seasons with the Jazz, Andrei Kirilenko played over in his native Russia during the 2011-12 season. The following year Kirilenko returned to the NBA where he would have brief stints with three separate teams. After being waived by the 76ers last February, Kirilenko returned to play in Russia. Now in his home country for the second-time, it appears as though Kirilenko has no choice but to retire from the NBA.

4. Jason Richardson

Jason Richardson

4. Jason Richardson

Jason Richardson — After not playing in a game for over two seasons due to injury, Jason Richardson made his comeback with the 76ers earlier this year where he played in 19 games, including 15 starts. Although he has recently expressed interest in returning to the young 76ers in order to be a mentor, Richardson should not do this as a player. Instead he should retire from the NBA and look for a second-career as a coach.

3. Ray Allen

Ray Allen

3. Ray Allen

Ray Allen — One of the hottest free agent commodities all throughout the 2014-15 season, Ray Allen elected to take this past year off from the NBA. Turning 40 later this summer, it may be hard for Allen to make a comeback after taking an entire season off. After making a trip to the NBA Finals during each of his last two seasons, Allen should go out on a high note and put an end to his NBA career.

2. Larry Sanders

Larry Sanders

2. Larry Sanders

Larry Sanders — Unlike many of the other players on this list who approaching the twilight of their career, Larry Sanders should just be entering his prime. At only 26 years old, Sanders was granted his release by the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this year after deciding he no longer had an interest in basketball. Currently dealing with anxiety, depression and mood disorders, Sanders needs to take care of himself and retire from the NBA.

1. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett

1. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett — As a former Defensive Player of the Year, All-Star, All-Star Game MVP, regular season MVP, NBA Champion and future Hall of Famer, Kevin Garnett has done it all during his 20-year career. After making a nostalgic return to the Minnesota Timberwolves (the team that originally drafted him) this season, Garnett’s career has now come full circle. With nothing else left for him to accomplish, Garnett needs to retire and focus on life after basketball.

Share On Facebook

Share