10 NBA Players Who Must Retire at Season's End

Many NBA players have reached the end of the road and should retire at the end of the 2011-2012 NBA season.  That list includes many fan favorites and even a few Hall of Famers: Even after a great career, there comes a time when they have to leave the game.  

Here is a list of 10 NBA players who should hang it up when this season is over. 

Jason Kidd: Dallas Mavericks Point Guard

It's always tough to our all-time favorites go ride into the sunset.  Kidd was my favorite point guard growing up.  But now it's different: He won his long-coveted ring as a starter in 2011, and he really can't play at a high level anymore.  His defense, athleticism and rebounding are all gone, which leaves only his special passing ability.  He should quit with his head held high.  

Mike Bibby: New York Knicks Point Guard

Mike Bibby was great with Chris Webber on the exciting early 2000s Sacramento Kings teams.  He was fun to watch and had an amazing shot.  But now, at 34, he cannot defend anything, is unable to drive to the rim and doesn't even shoot that well anymore.  

In under 20 minutes this season, he averaged 2.6 points with a player efficiency rating of 7.82.  Considering the NBA average PER is 15, that is a long way to fall.  

Ben Wallace: Detroit Pistons Center

It's not that Wallace can't play.  He can still grab rebounds in limited minutes.  But he only wants to play in Detroit, and the Pistons need to commit to a youth movement, giving those minutes to young big men Greg Monroe and Austin Daye.  

Sasha Pavlovic: Boston Celtics Shooting Guard

Once upon a time, Pavlovic was an important rotation player on the Cleveland Cavaliers' 2007 NBA Finals team.  Now, he averages 2.7 points per game and is one of the least efficient players in all of basketball with a player efficiency rating of 6.78.

Luke Walton: Cleveland Cavaliers Small Forward

Who doesn't like Luke Walton? He is the ultimate team player, a good guy, an amazing passer and the son of NBA legend Bill Walton.  But on the court, he is now past the point of no return: 1.8 points and 1.2 assists in barely 12 minutes of playing time a game, with a PER of 3.41.  He shouldn't play any more, but he is a born assistant coach.  

Jerry Stackhouse: Atlanta Hawks Shooting Guard

Yes, I know: Stackhouse is still playing.  It's true!  But he is buried on the Atlanta Hawks bench.  "Stack" is still a 10th-man level bench player in limited minutes, but its hard to watch one of my favorite fiery guards reduced to this role.  It's time.  

Erick Dampier: Atlanta Hawks Center

Believe it or not but Erick Dampier was once the starting center for a Dallas Mavericks team that went to the NBA Finals.  That team lost to the Miami Heat in 2006 and Shaquille O'Neal abused Dampier throughout the series.  Since then, he has continued to be a valuable role player.

But now, at age 36, he averaged 0.1 points and two rebounds with a PER of 5.5.  That just won't cut it.  

Jamaal Magloire: Toronto Raptors Center

One of the all-time great Kentucky Wildcats, Magloire went on to have a strong NBA career as a starting center.  He even had an All-Star season a decade ago.  But he has been limping to the finish for several seasons now and this year averaged only 1.3 points and 3.3 rebounds with a player efficiency rating of 2.5.  It's time to go.  

Tony Battie: Philadelphia 76ers Power Forward

Battie was a very good journeyman bench player for a long time, averaging six points and five rebounds over his career.  But now he is 36 and this year proved he is over the hill: Battie averaged only 1.6 points and 2.5 rebounds with a player efficiency rating of 7.28.  

Dan Gadzuric: New York Knicks Center

Never much more than a body, Gadzuric reached a new low at age 34: He averaged 0.0 points per game.  Yes, 0 and with a player efficiency rating below 0.  He has no place on a professional roster.