NBA players we may not see play again

Half man, half geriatric. The days of Vince Carter consistently flying over defenses are over. While he has provided the Sacramento Kings with invaluable veteran leadership, he hasn’t provided much else. The former North Carolina Tar Heel is averaging a career-low 5.3 points per game, which isn’t all that surprising considering Carter is 41 and has 20 years of NBA basketball weighing on his knees. It’s been 18 years since he literally leap-frogged Frederic Weis at the 2000 Olympics. Now, he may join him in retirement.

After winning four NBA championships and an Olympic gold medal, Ginobili has had one heck of a career. The Argentinian legend has seen the evolution of the San Antonio Spurs from small market wonders to NBA powers. But with the team uncharacteristically unstable with Kawhi Leonard’s status unclear and little chance to win another title, it may be time for Ginobili to ride off into the sunset.

Nelson reunited with Stan Van Gundy in Detroit, but that hasn’t helped him be any more productive, or any younger. Nelson is approaching the wrong side of 35 and is only averaging 3.7 points and 3.3 assists since joining the Pistons. He may offer the team a veteran presence on the bench, but he doesn’t need to be a player to do that. His playing days may be over in the NBA.

It may be time for The Jet to be grounded. Terry made a living off the bench, but with his three-point shot waning and production dipping to a career-low 3.2 points per game, the sport has passed him by. But that’s what is supposed to happen when you’re 40 years old. The 19-year veteran doesn’t even need to ring chase anymore after winning a title in 2011. It would be surprising if he was on an NBA roster next season.

Rose is hands down the youngest person on this list at 29 years old, but with his history of injuries and long absences, walking away from the game may be in the cards. DNPs became a common part of his stat line with numerous injuries that appeared to weigh on his mind. The frustration appeared to break him while with the Cleveland Cavaliers when he took time off to contemplate his future in the NBA. If he’s already questioning his desire to play the game, there’s a good chance he’s not willing to grind out another season in the league.  

There comes a time in every role player's life when even riding the bench becomes a chore not worth the effort. Udonis Haslem has been a Miami staple like amazing Cuban cuisine, but playing less than 20 games this season and contributing 0.7 rebounds per game is not exactly a great time to spend the twilight of an NBA career. While the Heat made the playoffs, Haslem isn’t exactly doing much else other than being a cheerleader. There is no reason to put your body through the grinder for basically no minutes.

Jefferson has had himself a career, playing with Jason Kidd, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Steph Curry and LeBron James. When you can build an All-Century team with your journeyman stops, it may be time to retire. Jefferson has limited action with the mediocre Denver Nuggets, playing 8.2 minutes a game in 20 games, averaging 1.5 points. If he can’t see the floor in that situation, his usefulness on the basketball court might be reaching its end.

Nick Collison is still in the NBA. That statement is shocking to some NBA fans since he hasn’t averaged more than six points or six rebounds a game for the last eight seasons. The NBA has no need for slow-footed (nearly) seven-footers. Collison is one of the last of a dying breed. Don't expect him to be playing in the league next year.

The former Duke star has had a rough go as of late, getting locked into a no-win situation with the Lakers. He’s still getting paid, but he has appeared in less than a handful of games. The situation in Los Angeles would kill the competitive spirit of anyone. Deng has already had a great career and going through the whole dog and pony show again may be too much for Deng to handle again.

With no more rings to chase and 15 years of NBA action weighing on his knees, the veteran power forward has nothing significant keeping him around the league anymore. West is still productive and contributing to a superstar team in the Golden State Warriors. But if he has a chance to go out a champion (which is a total possibility this season), don’t be surprised if he takes the opportunity.