So Hard to Say Goodbye: 10 NBA Players We May See the Last of in 2010-11

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As sad as it is to say (can someone please grab me a tissue), there is a time when every NBA player must hang 'em up.

Rasheed Wallace left us a handful of memories in his 15 year career, but who are the players that might be entering their last season in October?

Read on to find out which 10 NBA players we might see the last of next season.

10. Kurt "Old Knees" Thomas

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Next season, Kurt Thomas will be playing for the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls will have marked Thomas' 10th NBA team in his 17 seasons.

Thomas is not expected to see major playing time this season, that is unless the Bulls' front-court gets hit with the major injuries.

Averaging roughly nine points and seven rebounds for his career, Thomas is a seasoned vet, who is known for his hard-nose defense and veteran leadership. 

The Bulls have not won a title since the departure of Michael Jordan in 1998.

9. Jason Williams

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Jason Williams, also known as "White Chocolate" AKA "Oh my gosh, did you just see that pass?" Alright maybe I made up that last one, but the thing that Williams has been known for since arriving in the NBA is throwing dimes.

Two years after winning his first championship Williams retired from the NBA.

In 2009, Williams announced that he'd be returning to the Orlando Magic. 

William's contract expires after this year. Although he is only 34, (Why am I treating him like he's young?), it's very likely that this year with the Magic will be his last shot at another championship.

8. Eddy Curry

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I think I speak on behalf of everybody when I say this: About damn time...

While many like to blame Isaiah Thomas for the Knicks' decade of embarrassment, I put Eddy Curry right there with him.

Eddy Curry's contract expires after this year and I just don't see him playing in the NBA anymore. 

Somebody tell him to contact Allen Iverson and Steve Francis so they can create China's first (Miami Heat like) super-team. 

7. Theo Ratliff

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Theo Ratliff signed what is expected to be his final contract. 

Signing a one year deal with the back-to-back defending champions, it seems that Ratliff is after a ring. 

The excellent shot-blocker provides another post-presenence to the Lakers' already stacked front-court.

Ratliff is averaging 2.4 blocks per game in his career.

6. Juwan Howard

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Having played in over 1,000 regular season games, Juwan Howard has shown that he is always wanted by at least one team.

Howard's veteran leadership is something that team's around the league value. Howard has changed jerseys nine different times, however still manages to get into the rotation, regardless of what city's uniform he puts on.

As all signs indicate that this is the end for Howard, or in other words, he joined Miami so he can chase a ring. Juwan will prove to be a helpful component to any team's success.

5. Michael Finley

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Michael Finley was once being hyped as the next Michael Jordan. Now that we all see that those predictions came true (sarcasm), it is almost time to say goodbye to the great one.

Finley has had a solid NBA career, averaging almost 16 points and four rebounds per contest. He has proved that he can help almost any team's chances. ie; averaged 22.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists during the 1999-'00 campaign.

In spite of coming up short last year, Finley already has a championship under his belt.

4. Michael Redd

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It is a rarity when a player who is picked mid-way through the second round has a career scoring average of 20 points per game, as well an Olympic gold medal in his pocket.

Michael Redd has been one of the true underdog stories in the NBA, unfortunately that story may be coming to an end.

On January 10, 2010, Redd re-tore his ACL and MCL in the same knee that he had injured a year prior.

If his knee does not heal properly this time, Redd will not be able to play.

3. Zydrunas Ilguaskas

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This offseason, Zydrunas Ilgauskas joined Miami's super-team in hopes of winning his first championship.

Ilgauskas spent the first 14 years of his NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers. During those 14 years, he has made the All-Star team twice and averaged around 14 points to go along with roughly eight rebounds per contest.

Although the Cavs have repeatedly come-up short in what has now become known as "the LeBron era", Ilgauskas is putting himself in a great position to win one before he retires.

2. Yao Ming

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One week ago, Yao Ming turned 30-years-old.

In spite of only entering his eighth season, Yao has made it clear that if he does not come back healthy, he will be willing to call it quits.

While Yao is one of the most humble guys in the league, his 7-6 body has seen its share of injuries within the last few years.

Whenever Yao is healthy, he significantly impacts the game.

Averaging roughly 19 points and nine rebounds in his career, Yao still stands as one of the only big men to average over 20 points, and 10 rebounds while shooting over 50 percent from the field and 85 percent from the foul line.

Yao has a lot on the line going into his eighth season, let's all hope for the best as he tries to come back to full health.

1. Grant Hill

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Grant Hill is entering his 17th NBA campaign.

In what some would call a Hall-of-Fame career (me being one of them), Hill has not only shown that he is a great player, but a player who has learned to handle adversity.

After the first six seasons of his career, Hill reached totals of 9,393 points, 3,417 rebounds and 2,720 assists. Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird and LeBron James are the only players who have reached these numbers after their first six seasons.

Although they still have two-time MVP, Steve Nash; the departure of Amare Stoudemire took the Suns a step in the wrong direction.

Hill's contract expires after this season, however, if this is it for him, he has played a worthy Hall-of-Fame career.

Grant Hill is the proof that being a player in the NBA, does not limit a person's ability of being a philanthropist.