5 NBA players who could retire after the 2021-22 season

Udonis Haslem (#40) of the Miami Heat is the oldest active player in the NBA and could retire after the 2021-22 season
Udonis Haslem (#40) of the Miami Heat is the oldest active player in the NBA and could retire after the 2021-22 season

#3 Andre Iguodala

Andre Iguodala (#28) of the Miami Heat
Andre Iguodala (#28) of the Miami Heat

Andre Iguodala has played the game at the highest level, earning himself three championship rings and an NBA Finals MVP award in 2015. He helped the Golden State Warriors defeat LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to clinch the championship.

The 37-year-old Iguodala could choose to retire after playing out the last year on his Miami Heat contract. He has been inspiring from the bench and remains one of the players who has successfully troubled LeBron James in the playoffs. However, he might announce his retirement upon the conclusion of the 2021-22 NBA season.

Iguodala is still an elite defender, and can guard any position because of his versatility. However, his production in offense has been on a consistent decline since his 2012-13 season. He averaged 4.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in the 2020-21 NBA season.


#4 Paul Millsap

Paul Millsap (#4) of the Denver Nuggets drives the ball against Joe Ingles (#2) of the Utah Jazz
Paul Millsap (#4) of the Denver Nuggets drives the ball against Joe Ingles (#2) of the Utah Jazz

Paul Millsap has had a successful run as an NBA player, making four All-Star appearances in his 15-year career. However, he is likely to retire after the 2021-22 season.

Millsap is currently an unrestricted free agent, which means any team can pursue him to bolster their second unit. Although he is not as athletic as he once was in the NBA, he does a decent job scoring and grabbing rebounds. He boasts career averages of 13.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists.


#5 Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol (#14) of the LA Lakers attacks the basket.
Marc Gasol (#14) of the LA Lakers attacks the basket.

Marc Gasol is currently playing for Spain in the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Although he will be returning to the LA Lakers for the 2021-22 season, this might be his last stint with the national team.

Gasol was a member of the Toronto Raptors that won the 2019 NBA championship. He signed with the Lakers in the 2020 off-season, but an injury-riddled season derailed the team's title hopes.

At the end of the 2021-22 NBA season, Gasol's contract with the Lakers will expire. That might likely be the end of his playing career as well.

The Lakers' acquisition of Russell Westbrook puts them as favorites to win the 2022 NBA championship. If it plays out like that, it would be the perfect end to Gasol's career.

Although the 36-year-old big man is still technically gifted, his ability to defend the pick-and-roll, protect the rim and grab boards are areas that he struggles with. He has had a great run in his 13-year career, but his legs might not take him further than the 2021-22 season.

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