Predicting 10 NBA Veterans Who Will Retire After the 2015-16 Season

Predicting 10 NBA Veterans Who Will Retire After the 2015-16 Season

By Frank Ewere

September 17, 2015

Predicting 10 NBA Veterans Who Will Retire After the 2015-16 Season

Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant — Players play thousands of minutes and the minutes wear on their bodies. As a new era draws closer, here are 10 NBA veterans who will retire after the 2015-16 season.

Players play thousands of minutes and the minutes wear on their bodies. As a new era draws closer, here are 10 NBA veterans who will retire after the 2015-16 season.

10. Hedo Turkoglu

Hedo Turkoglu Clippers

10. Hedo Turkoglu

Hedo Turkoglu Clippers — After seeing a decreased playing role over the last couple of years, Turkoglu’s main goal has been to be able to play in 1000 career games. Turkoglu has played 997 so it appears that his goal is well within reach.

After seeing a decreased playing role over the last couple of years, Turkoglu’s main goal has been to be able to play in 1000 career games. Turkoglu has played 997 so it appears that his goal is well within reach.

9. Pablo Prigioni

Pablo Prigioni Rockets

Advertisement

9. Pablo Prigioni

Pablo Prigioni Rockets — Prigioni came to NBA later than most rookies do. In 2012, Prigioni came to the league and was signed by the New York Knicks. At the age of 35, he was the oldest rookie in NBA history. Now as the third point guard on the Los Angeles Clippers, Prigioni will simply provide veteran leadership to the Clippers for one year before retiring.

Prigioni came to NBA later than most rookies do. In 2012, Prigioni came to the league and was signed by the New York Knicks. At the age of 35, he was the oldest rookie in NBA history. Now as the third point guard on the Los Angeles Clippers, Prigioni will simply provide veteran leadership to the Clippers for one year before retiring.

8. Manu Ginobli

Manu Ginobli Spurs

8. Manu Ginobili

Manu Ginobli Spurs — Ginobili was part of the “Golden Generation” that revitalized Argentinian basketball. After all of the basketball he has played for the San Antonio Spurs and his international team, Ginobili’s play has fallen off considerably from what it used to be several years ago. Even if the Spurs don’t win a championship this season, it’s time for Ginobili to call it quits.

Ginobili was part of the “Golden Generation” that revitalized Argentinian basketball. After all of the basketball he has played for the San Antonio Spurs and his international team, Ginobili’s play has fallen off considerably from what it used to be several years ago. Even if the Spurs don’t win a championship this season, it’s time for Ginobili to call it quits.

7. Vince Carter

Vince Carter Grizzlies

7. Vince Carter Grizzlies

Vince Carter Grizzlies — The man once known as “Half-Man, Half-Amazing” has been amazing throughout his career. He was once an otherworldly athletic talent, but now he has been able to transform himself into a player who can consistently make shots from the perimeter. Unless the Memphis Grizzlies make it to the NBA Finals, Carter may just decide to retire after a great career.

The man once known as “Half-Man, Half-Amazing” has been amazing throughout his career. He was once an otherworldly athletic talent, but now he has been able to transform himself into a player who can consistently make shots from the perimeter. Unless the Memphis Grizzlies make it to the NBA Finals, Carter may just decide to retire after a great career.

6. Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce Wizards

6. Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce Wizards — Pierce signed with the Clippers after contemplating whether or not he would continue to play in the NBA. Even though Pierce signed a multi-year deal this offseason, don’t be surprised if he retires after one year of playing with his favorite coach.

Pierce signed with the Clippers after contemplating whether or not he would continue to play in the NBA. Even though Pierce signed a multi-year deal this offseason, don’t be surprised if he retires after one year of playing with his favorite coach.

5. Jason Terry

Jason Terry Rockets

5. Jason Terry

Jason Terry Rockets — Terry still as a lot of energy even at this advanced stage of his career. Always a crowd pleaser, Terry has nothing left to prove since he already has a championship. He’s only still playing because some teams need a veteran presence in the locker room who can give the team an energetic presence.

Terry still as a lot of energy even at this advanced stage of his career. Always a crowd pleaser, Terry has nothing left to prove since he already has a championship. He’s only still playing because some teams need a veteran presence in the locker room who can give the team an energetic presence.

4. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett Timberwolves

4. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett Timberwolves — Garnett will be needed now more than ever since Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders will miss several games this season. But he is needed more for his veteran presence, not for his play. Garnett will likely retire this season and take on a front office role with the Timberwolves.

Garnett will be needed now more than ever since Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders will miss several games this season. But he is needed more for his veteran presence, not for his play. Garnett will likely retire this season and take on a front office role with the Timberwolves.

3. Ray Allen

Ray Allen NBA

3. Ray Allen

Ray Allen NBA — Allen didn’t play last season, but he hasn’t officially retired. If a championship-caliber team comes to sign Allen, he will play one last season and try to win one more championship to cement his great legacy.

Allen didn’t play last season, but he hasn’t officially retired. If a championship-caliber team comes to sign Allen, he will play one last season and try to win one more championship to cement his great legacy.

2. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan Spurs

2. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan Spurs — Duncan didn’t look like he was ready to retire last season after averaging 17.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. But with big men, wear and tear can often hit them in an untimely manner. This will be Duncan’s last season and Duncan will use his time to teach LaMarcus Aldridge and possibly win one last championship.

Duncan didn’t look like he was ready to retire last season after averaging 17.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. But with big men, wear and tear can often hit them in an untimely manner. This will be Duncan’s last season and Duncan will use his time to teach LaMarcus Aldridge and possibly win one last championship.

1. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant Lakers

1. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant Lakers — Bryant hasn’t played much in the last two seasons. Even though his body should be relatively fresh, all signs point to Bryant retiring this season. He has been doing more interviews, he has been more open and he has begun to do more things outside of basketball. Bryant will be missed once he retires after such a long career.

Bryant hasn’t played much in the last two seasons. Even though his body should be relatively fresh, all signs point to Bryant retiring this season. He has been doing more interviews, he has been more open and he has begun to do more things outside of basketball. Bryant will be missed once he retires after such a long career.

Frank Ewere is a Beat Writer for the New Orleans Pelicans on www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheFrankEwere, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Share On Facebook

Share