7 NBA Veterans Who Most Need to Retire

For some NBA veterans, hanging it up just isn’t an option.

Sure, their days of quality production may be behind them. However, there’s no quieting the drive for more.

Unfortunately, retiring just might be the best option for all parties involved.

Here are seven players who just don’t know when to quit.

Mike Bibby, Free Agent, 35

Career Per-Game Averages: 33.9 minutes, 14.7 points, 5.1 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 43.6 FG%, 37.9 3FG%

Years in the NBA: 14 (1,001 games played)

Teams: 6

-Vancouver Grizzlies (1998-2001)
-Sacramento Kings (2001-07)
-Atlanta Hawks (2007-11)
-Miami Heat (2011)
-Washington Wizards (2011)
-New York Knicks (2011-12)

The Lowdown

According to B/R’s Jared Zwerling, Mike Bibby participated in mini-camps with the San Antonio Spurs earlier this month. If he made the roster, it would mark the seventh NBA team for the 35-year-old.

But does this really have any chance to work out?

At his peak, Bibby could be considered the player who took the Sacramento Kings over the top. The one who took them from low-seeded playoff team to NBA title contender immediately upon his arrival.

However, after leaving Sacramento in 2007, his production dipped from 14.9 points to 7.3 per game over the next three seasons with both the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat. That only got worse in his most recent stint in the league with the New York Knicks in 2011-12. Bibby averaged just 2.6 points and 2.1 assists over 14.3 minutes per game. He also shot just 28.2 percent from the field while registering an awful PER of 7.82.

While many will certainly be pulling for the 14-year veteran to make a comeback, it’s just not a realistic expectation.

Vince Carter, Dallas Mavericks, 36

Career Per-Game Averages: 34.9 minutes, 20.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 44.3 FG%, 37.6 3FG%

Years in the NBA: 15 (1,067 games played)

Teams: 5

-Toronto Raptors (1998-2004)
-New Jersey Nets (2004-09)
-Orlando Magic (2009-10)
-Phoenix Suns (2010-11)
-Dallas Mavericks (2011-present)

The Lowdown

In the final year of his contract, Vince Carter is set to make $3.2 million. However, he shouldn’t expect a team to offer him anything more than the veteran’s minimum during the offseason.

That’s because Carter isn’t the player he once was.

In 2011-12, he recorded the worst statistical season of his career (10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game on 41.1 percent shooting). While he improved his shooting to 43.5 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from beyond the arc, Carter only averaged 13.4 points per game—the second-lowest total in his career.

Furthermore, he only started three games all season. It’s the first time Carter has started fewer than 40 contests in a year during his 15 years in the league.

Sure, there’s always the possibility he could be the next fading NBA superstar to take a pay cut to ride the pine to an NBA ring. But it would be in Carter’s best interest to just retire while he still has a little dignity left.

He just doesn’t possess the versatility that once made him one of the best swingmen in the league.

Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons, 36

Career Per-Game Averages: 31.9 minutes, 15.4 points, 5.5 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 41.6 FG%, 38.8 3FG%

Years in the NBA: 16 (1,024 games played)

Teams: 9

-Boston Celtics (1997-98)
-Toronto Raptors (1998)
-Denver Nuggets (1998-2000)
-Minnesota Timberwolves (2000-02)
-Detroit Pistons (2002-08)
-Denver Nuggets (2008-11)
-New York Knicks (2011)
-Los Angeles Clippers (2011-2013)
-Detroit Pistons (2013-present)

The Lowdown

It was only two years ago when Chauncey Billups threatened that he would consider retiring if a team deemed undesirable picked him up off of the waivers. Luckily, the Los Angeles Clippers were the team that came calling.

But after two subpar seasons in L.A., Billups is ready to make his curtain call with the Detroit Pistons.

In 2011-12, the 36-year-old managed to average 15 points per game. However, he did so while chucking up 11.4 shots a night, only connecting on 36.4 percent of those attempts. Billups followed that up by averaging just 8.4 points over 19 minutes per game—both serve as career lows.

But the biggest cause for concern is how injuries limited him to playing just 42 games during those seasons.

Now, with the Pistons, Billups finds himself on a young team where his experience could be significant. On the other hand, it would also be a great place for him to hang it up.

In 2004, Billups led Detroit to the NBA title, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1. He was named NBA Finals MVP for his performance.

However, that was almost 10 years ago. This season’s version can’t manage to stay healthy, let alone produce consistently.

This might be it for Billups.

Derek Fisher, Oklahoma City Thunder, 39

Career Per-Game Averages: 25.9 minutes, 8.5 points, 3.1 assists, 2.1 rebounds, 39.9 FG%, 37.3 3FG%

Years in the NBA: 16 (1,206 games played)

Teams: 7

-Los Angeles Lakers (1996-2004)
-Golden State Warriors (2004-06)
-Utah Jazz (2006-07)
-Los Angeles Lakers (2007-12)
-Oklahoma City Thunder (2012)
-Dallas Mavericks (2012)
-Oklahoma City Thunder (2013-present)

The Lowdown

Over two stints and 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher reached the NBA Finals seven times, winning five of them. More so, he was probably one of the only teammates Kobe Bryant never had a problem with.

If Fisher wants to keep that legacy intact, it’s best for him to hang it up now.

According to ESPN L.A.’s Dave McMenamin, this will indeed be the 17-year veteran's last go at it. He plans to retire at the conclusion of the year.

It makes sense, as Fisher’s production has been on the decline ever since the 2007-08 season. Last year, in 24 games with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he averaged just 4.1 points and 0.7 assists over 14.4 minutes while shooting 33.3 percent from the field—it was Fisher’s worst season since his rookie campaign.

There’s no doubt his championship experience will make him a valuable asset in the Thunder locker room. However, it is certainly time for Fisher to call it quits.

Marcus Camby, Houston Rockets, 39

Career Per-Game Averages: 29.5 minutes, 9.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 46.6 FG%

Years in the NBA: 17 (973 games played)

Teams: 8

-Toronto Raptors (1996-98)
-New York Knicks (1998-2002)
-Denver Nuggets (2002-08)
-Los Angeles Clippers (2008-10)
-Portland Trail Blazers (2010-12)
-Houston Rockets (2012)
-New York Knicks (2012-13)
-Houston Rockets (2013-present)

The Lowdown

He may be closing in on 40, but Marcus Camby has no intentions of retiring. After being traded to the Toronto Raptors, the 39-year-old didn’t want to end his career with another stint in Canada. Shortly after, he was waived by the team and picked up by the Houston Rockets. But a better team can only help so much.

Last season, Camby battled plantar fasciitis all year. He was limited to playing just 24 games with the New York Knicks. Furthermore, Camby only clocked in a total of three minutes during the playoffs. Sure, he’s lined up for more playing time backing up Dwight Howard in Houston—other than Omer Asik, the Rockets have nothing in terms of depth in the frontcourt. But that doesn’t guarantee production.

After averaging 10.3 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks on 51.2 percent shooting in 2008-09, Camby’s production has dipped off. He averaged just 1.8 points and 3.3 rebounds over 10.4 minutes on 32.1 percent shooting last year.

It could be possible the 17-year veteran is looking for one last shot at the title. But it doesn’t look like he’ll help Houston too much in that pursuit.

Jermaine O'Neal, Golden State Warriors, 34

Career Per-Game Averages: 30.3 minutes, 13.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 46.9 FG%

Years in the NBA: 17 (967 games played)

Teams: 6

-Portland Trail Blazers (1996-2000)
-Indiana Pacers (2000-08)
-Toronto Raptors (2008-09)
-Miami Heat (2009-10)
-Boston Celtics (2010-12)
-Phoenix Suns (2012-13)
-Golden State Warriors (2013-present)

The Lowdown

After playing for just two teams for the first 12 seasons of his career, Jermaine O’Neal has played for four in the past five. Now, he can add the Golden State Warriors to that list. It also might be the last semi-productive year of his career.

From 2001-07, O’Neal averaged at least 19 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. However, in six seasons since, he’s failed to top 14 points and seven rebounds per game. Furthermore, in the past three years, O’Neal has failed to reach double-digit scoring in each season, including 8.3 points per game in 55 contests with the Phoenix Suns last year.

With the Warriors, he has a chance to win his first NBA ring. However, the team would be kidding itself if it hopes for O’Neal to be anything more than just another body on the bench.

Juwan Howard, Free Agent, 40

Career Per-Game Averages: 30.3 minutes, 13.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 46.9 FG%

Years in the NBA: 19 (1,208 games played)

Teams: 10

-Washington Bullets/Wizards (1994-2001)
-Dallas Mavericks (2001-02)
-Denver Nuggets (2002-03)
-Orlando Magic (2003-04)
-Houston Rockets (2004-07)
-Dallas Mavericks (2007-08)
-Denver Nuggets (2008)
-Charlotte Bobcats (2008-09)
-Portland Trail Blazers (2009-10)
-Miami Heat (2010-13)

The Lowdown

After 19 seasons, Juwan Howard can say he’s a two-time NBA champion, having won with the Miami Heat over the past two years. It’s the perfect storybook ending for the oldest player in the league last season. With the Heat opting to bring on former No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden instead of Howard, retirement is a real possibility.

Or at least it should be.

The 40-year-old has failed to put in quality production since his stint with the Orlando Magic in 2003-04. Since then, Howard has played for six different teams and only scored in double digits once in 10 years.

Having played in just 35 games over the past two years, Howard doesn’t really come off as a tasty pickup for any team. So it’s very likely he might get passed over.

However, when it’s all said and done, nothing can take away from being part of two NBA championships—even if he spent the majority of it on the bench.

All stats used in this article are courtesy of ESPN.com

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