15 NBA players who could retire at the end of the season

Every NBA season, players come and go. New players are drafted into the league, leading marginalized veterans to be pushed out of the NBA and into the NBA D-League or somewhere in Europe.

There are a select few, however, who get to choose when their time in the NBA has come to a close and retire on their own terms. Here are 15 NBA players who could retire at the conclusion of the 2015-16 NBA season.

1) Kobe Bryant

For Lakers fans, it’s kind of heartbreaking to see what Kobe Bryant has become. Prior to his Achilles injury in 2013, Bryant was one of the most awe-inspiring basketball players ever to grace the hardwood. Now, at 37, Kobe is just a shell of the player he used to be.

The wear and tear of 20 NBA seasons, plus multiple deep playoff runs, have taken their toll on Kobe’s body. Forget the stats: If you’ve taken one look at Kobe Bryant on an NBA basketball court this season you can just tell the writing is on the wall. It’s been a marvelous career, but it’s time.

Prediction: Kobe Bryant retires at the end of the season.

2) Tim Duncan

Despite the fact that he will turn 40 years old later this season, San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan is still a fantastic NBA player. Duncan is still a force to reckoned with in the paint, and with head coach Gregg Popovich limiting his minutes, Duncan continues to look fresh.

Truth be told, Duncan could probably play several more years in the NBA, but if the Spurs win the 2016 NBA championship, he’ll probably call it a career — and a Hall of Fame career at that.

Prediction: Tim Duncan retires only if the Spurs win the 2016 NBA Finals.

3) Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett has been playing in the NBA since 1995. His Minnesota Timberwolves teammate, and No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Karl-Anthony Towns wasn’t even born when KG began his NBA career. That being said, Garnett loves mentoring young players and reportedly wants an ownership stake in the T’Wolves at some after his retirement. Most importantly, however, Garnett has one year left on his contract after this season.

As crazy as it sounds, expect Garnett to play (or at least be on the T’Wolves' roster) another year.

Prediction: Kevin Garnett plays in the NBA next season.

4) Dirk Nowitzki

Most NBA players are falling apart at the age of 37. This doesn’t appear to be the case with Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki. The 13-time All-Star is still an elite offensive weapon in the post and the embodiment of what it means to be a Dallas Maverick. It still looks like Nowitzki has enough mileage left be a high-quality NBA player for at least another year.

Prediction: Dirk Nowitzki plays in the NBA next season.

5) Paul Pierce

A 10-time All-Star, veteran shooting guard/small forward Paul Pierce is now playing in Los Angeles with Doc Rivers and the Clippers. Judging by his first handful games on the court with Clips, Pierce has little left in the tank. He’s a future Hall of Fame player, no doubt, but at 38 years old, Pierce’s choice to come to the Clippers appears to be one last-ditch effort to win another title before the inevitable.

Prediction: Paul Pierce retires at the end of the season.

6) Manu Ginobili

One of the greatest foreign-born players to step on to an NBA court, Spurs swingman Manu Ginobili heavily considered retirement this offseason. Instead, Manu chose to come back to the Spurs in pursuit of one more ring. All indications point to this being Manu’s final season in the NBA. Ginobili will likely go down as one of the greatest sixth men to play in the NBA.

Prediction: Manu Ginobili retires at the end of the season.

7) Pau Gasol

It might not look like it, but Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol is actually 35 years old. Although still an effective NBA player, Gasol is nowhere near the player he was with the Lakers and Grizzlies in his prime. Still, with one year left on his contract, it’s unlikely that Gasol, who has many interests in his life outside of basketball, hangs up his sneakers just yet.

Prediction: Pau Gasol plays in the NBA next season.

8) Vince Carter

Memphis Grizzlies small forward Vince Carter will forever be immortalized to NBA fans for his awe-inspiring performance at the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest. At 38 years of age however, the former Raptors and Nets great can barely crack the Grizz rotation. Even when Carter does receive playing time, he’s just nowhere near the All-Star player he used to be. Vince Carter’s NBA career appears to be coming to an end.

Prediction: Vince Carter retires at the end of the season.

9) David West

Even at 35 years of age, Spurs power forward David West has much to offer an NBA team. He is a tough, savvy veteran player who is also a leader in the locker room.

West signed a veteran’s minimum contract with the Spurs this offseason in the hopes of winning his first NBA championship. If the Spurs win the 2016 NBA title, it would make sense for the two-time All-Star to walk off into the sunset as champion.

Prediction: David West retires only if the Spurs win the 2016 NBA Finals.

10) Andre Miller

Since debuting in the NBA in 1999, point guard Andre Miller has quietly had a remarkable career. Miller is ninth all time in total assists, 24th in career games played and in the top 100 in career points.

But Miller will turn 40 in March, and although he still receives playing time with the Minnesota Timberwolves, it’s hard to imagine him playing beyond this year.

Prediction: Andre Miller retires at the end of the season.

11) Caron Butler

A former All-Star with the Washington Wizards, forward Caron Butler could be in his final NBA season. Butler, 35, barely receives any playing time with Sacramento Kings. That being said, if you know anything about Caron Butler’s past, the game of basketball basically saved his life. Something tells me Butler isn’t ready to give up life in the NBA just yet.

Prediction: Caron Butler plays in the NBA next season.

12) Jason Terry

The 2009 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Rockets guard Jason Terry appears to have very little left to offer an NBA franchise on the court. “The Jet” has had a fantastic NBA career, but if his play is any indication, retirement looms.

Prediction: Jason Terry retires at the end of the season.

13) Mike Miller

Shooting guard Mike Miller will forever be remembered for his performance in the 2012 NBA Finals, where he simply could not miss from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, the present-day version of Mike Miller is no longer that player. He now plays for a non-playoff team in the Denver Nuggets and barely sees any time on the hardwood. At 35, expect this to be Miller’s final NBA season.

Prediction: Mike Miller retires at the end of the season.

14) Luis Scola

Even at 35, power forward Luis Scola still finds himself as a starter in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors. Although he’s no longer the athlete he used to be, the Argentinian-born Scola is still crafty enough on the floor to contribute. His contract is up at the end of the season, so even if Scola doesn’t catch on with another NBA team, he could very well go play abroad as he did earlier in his career.

Prediction: Luis Scola plays professional basketball somewhere next season.

15) Richard Jefferson

Although he still receives a solid amount of playing time, Richard Jefferson’s choice to sign with the Cavs this offseason was clearly one last-ditch effort by the veteran to chase a title. That being said, at 35 years of age, Jefferson is averaging almost double-digit points for the Cavs this season. Regardless of whether Cleveland wins a title this season or not, Jefferson probably has one more year left in him.

Prediction: Richard Jefferson plays in the NBA next season.