2012 NBA Free Agents: Washed-Up Stars Not Worth Taking a Chance on

The line between aging star and washed-up veteran can become blurred in the NBA, but these free agents are clearly past their prime and are not worth gambling on during the offseason.

Every year we must say goodbye to some players as we welcome in others. These stars are the ones teams need to let go of, as they are not worth the price tag that their illustrious careers have warranted.

Among the aging stars of the league, these are the ones that teams must cut ties with.

Tim Duncan

The Big Fundamental will turn 37 years old next season, and his aging body can't take much more action in the NBA.

While he is still playing well and had a good 2011-12 season, it's time for the big man to retire. The question has been hanging over his head for years, and now that his contract has expired it may be time.

Even if he chooses to return, he won't be the same dominant player that he used to be. The San Antonio Spurs may choose to move on without him, and with good reason. Most teams won't want to sign a free agent of his age since he is nothing more than a one-year rental at this point in his career.

While Duncan is one of my all-time favorite players, it's time for him to say goodbye to the game.

Gilbert Arenas

As if there were any doubt in your mind, the 30-year-old Agent Zero is going to have a tough time finding a new home during the offseason.

It seems like just yesterday that Arenas averaged over 25 points per game for three straight seasons, but following poor play and a well-documented argument with a teammate that led to guns being pulled on each other (via NY Post), Arenas is a headcase that no team wants to deal with.

Arenas was a role player at best, and teams should have no problem staying away from him during the offseason.

Tracy McGrady

T-Mac was once one of the most dominant stars in the NBA, but now he is nothing more than a role player who is past his prime.

The 33-year-old guard has not averaged double-digit points per game in the last three seasons, and he has been fading from our memories.

While he is not terribly old, his play has suffered tremendously, and now he is just a shadow of the player he once was.

Ray Allen

The Boston Celtics are among the NBA's oldest teams, and it is time to fix that. While Ray Allen is the best three-point shooter in the history of the game, the C's must cut ties with him in order to add youth to the team.

The Big Three Era is over in B-Town, and the Celtics need to accept that and move on.

Allen will probably have a difficult time finding a new team at the ripe old age of 36 (turning 37 in mid-July). This may be the time for the best shooter in the history of the game to walk away.

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