NBA Today: 5 Players who could retire at the end of the 2019-20 season

The NBA's 2019-20 season will be here fairly soon as preseason is nearly a month away. An exciting summer set up the 2019-20 season and gives fans something to look forward to. With players such as Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving changing teams, the NBA becomes even more exciting. The performance (and rivalries) of teams such as the Lakers, the Clippers, and others will give this season an interesting storyline. However, there is another storyline going into the season.

Every year, there are players that move on from the NBA. These players had lengthy, successful careers, but as they get older, they lack certain skills they once had. If a player is known for his athleticism or dunking ability but gets older, they lack the "explosiveness" they once had. So, certain players retire and move on to the next step of their journey.

Last year, Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki were the topics of conversation. Both players announced their retirement and received fanfare throughout the season. Players and fans alike shared their praises of these special players and had the chance to play them one last time.

This season, another player is gearing up for his final NBA season. He is approaching his 22nd season and has done great things throughout his career. The player retiring after this season is Vince "Vinsanity" Carter.

Vince Carter is the oldest (active) player in the NBA and recently announced his plans to retire. Carter re-signed with the Atlanta Hawks this summer and will serve as a veteran leader for the young team. The Hawks will be Carter's final stop as he prepares for his retirement. They are the eighth team of his career and join the ranks of teams such as the Raptors, Nets, and Magic as one of Carter's teams.

Carter is a great player who will be missed after he retires. However, there are other players who may retire this season. All eyes are on Carter, and rightfully so, but retirements may go under the radar. Here are five other players that may retire at the end of the 2019-20 season.

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#5 Kyle Korver

Kyle Korver signed with the Milwaukee Bucks over the summer

Kyle Korver was set to retire this summer but had a change of heart. Now, Korver joins an Eastern Conference contender that can use his services.

Over the summer, Korver signed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. He joins the Bucks after a stint with the Utah Jazz last season. The Jazz acquired Korver in a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He averaged 9.1 points and shot 38.4 percent from 3-point range during his time with the Jazz.

This was Korver's second stint with the Jazz, as he played with them from 2007 to 2010. This season, he joins the Bucks and could be a part of a deep playoff run. The Bucks gain a veteran sharpshooter that Giannis Antetokounmpo can dish to when he drives to the basket and kicks it out to a teammate. Korver will be on the perimeter ready for Antetokounmpo's pass and will likely knock down big shots. So, the deal benefits both Korver and the Bucks.

There is a chance that this is Korver's final season, and if so, he's going out in style.

#4 Udonis Haslem

Udonis Haslem will return to the Heat this season

Udonis Haslem has been with the Miami Heat for his entire career. The undrafted player signed with his hometown team, the Heat in 2003, after a year in France. He played for a team called Chalon-sur-Saône before his start with the Miami Heat. Since then, Haslem has been a loyal role player for the Heat.

Haslem signed with the Heat in the same summer they gained another player, their rookie Dwyane Wade. Wade started his career with the Heat but eventually moved on to teams such as the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Wade returned to the Heat after the Cavaliers traded him for a 2024 second-round draft pick. When Wade returned to the Heat, a familiar face was still there. Haslem was still there despite lower stats and injuries.

Last season, Wade finished his career and did it with the Heat. There is a strong chance his former teammate does the same.

Over the summer, Haslem became a free agent. He had an opportunity to sign elsewhere but decided to remain with the Heat. He signed a one-year deal with Miami earlier this month, making him the longest-tenured member of the Heat in franchise history. He is approaching his 17th season as the 2019-20 season grows closer.

Haslem may not be a "big name", but he is a fan favorite of the Heat. The hometown player is not only from Miami but played his college ball at the University of Florida. Despite going undrafted, he managed to land on the ideal team.

Now, he is a three-time champion, and he did it all with the Heat. Will Haslem receive a farewell tour like Wade? Probably not. Regardless, his time with the Heat has been spectacular, and the Heat will forever remember his contributions.

#3 Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol signed with the Portland Trail Blazers this summer

Pau Gasol is one of the NBA's most well-known international players. The 7-footer from Spain has accomplished great things in his career both in and out of the NBA. He is a two-time NBA champion; he was Rookie of the Year of 2002 and a multiple-time NBA All-Star.

He has also won MVPs and championships in the Spanish League and FIBA competitions. The future Hall of Famer has accomplished a lot as he nears the end of his career.

Last season, Gasol played for the San Antonio Spurs and the Milwaukee Bucks. He played 27 games with the Spurs, and three for the Bucks. Gasol averaged career-low numbers in 2018-19 as he battled injuries.

He missed 26 games with the Spurs due to a stress fracture in his right foot and missed games for the Bucks due to a left ankle injury. So, it was a rough season for Gasol.

On March 1, the Spurs parted ways with Gasol as they reached a buyout agreement. Shortly after the buyout, Gasol signed with the Bucks. The Bucks signed Gasol just in time for the playoffs, but he missed the playoffs due to his injury. Gasol's time with the Bucks was short-lived, but he found a new home over the summer.

He signed with the Portland Trail Blazers with a one-year, $2.6 million deal. The veteran big man joins other Blazers such as Hassan Whiteside and Jusuf Nurkić (when he returns from injury). The Blazers lost Enes Kanter to free agency but gained two skilled bigs in Gasol and Whiteside.

While Gasol may not play a significant role for the Blazers, his veteran presence benefits the Blazers. For a team which made the Western Conference Finals last season, Gasol's presence gives them a boost in a stacked Western Conference. This season could be Gasol's last, but he will help the Blazers succeed.

#2 Jamal Crawford

Jamal Crawford last played for the Phoenix Suns

Jamal Crawford is arguably one of the most underrated players to play the game. He is a remarkable scorer with a knack for handling the ball. As he gets older, his product has somewhat decreased. So, there is a chance that Crawford retires.

Crawford is the second oldest (active) player in the NBA. He is 39 years old and roughly 81 days older than Udonis Haslem (who is the third oldest active player in the league). The only player older than Crawford is Vince Carter.

Carter is approaching his 22nd season and plans to retire after this season. After Carter retires, Crawford will officially become the oldest (active) player in the league. Or, he may join Carter in retirement. The choice is up to Crawford.

Last season, Crawford signed a deal with the Phoenix Suns. The Suns are a young team that could benefit from a veteran presence such as Crawford. He is capable of helping the Suns' young core add new aspects to their game.

In 2018-19, Crawford averaged 7.9 points and 3.6 assists. This is his lowest points per game average since 2001-02 and the second-lowest of his career. Crawford's stats decreased (even from his one year stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves) last season, and his stats could likely do the same this season.

As of now, the three-time Sixth Man of the Year is a free agent. This is somewhat surprising given Crawford's abilities on the offensive end.

If Crawford finds the right fit, he can help a team. For example, if the Lakers decide to sign him to a deal, the Lakers gain a valuable player on their bench. Crawford can come off the bench and give the Lakers a spark on offense (especially when they need it). The Lakers would benefit from Crawford, and they (or other teams) should look to sign him.

By the start of the season, there is a chance that Crawford will be on a team. Even if it is his last.

#1 Carmelo Anthony

There is a chance Carmelo Anthony retires this year

Carmelo Anthony's situation is a bit different from some of the other players on this list. However, there is a strong possibility that he'll be retiring by the end of the season.

For Anthony, it has been a long journey. He last played in November 2018, when he represented the Houston Rockets. By now, fans are familiar with the story (the Rockets parted ways with him and traded him to the Bulls) and await his next move.

After the Bulls waived him, Anthony officially became a free agent. Since then, Melo has been working out in hopes of getting his next opportunity. But it has been a long wait.

Anthony's future is up in the air as he remains a free agent. His name comes up in rumors, but nothing comes to fruition. While there is a chance a team signs him, it does not seem likely. Either way, this could be Carmelo Anthony's final year.

Anthony's best-case scenario is a (contending) team signs him, and he goes through the 2019-20 season on a farewell tour. He could have a similar experience as his fellow 2003 draftmate Dwyane Wade did last season.

Wade had a farewell tour known as his "One Last Dance". He went through the NBA season exchanging jerseys with select players from other teams. For example, when the Heat played the Lakers, Wade exchanged jerseys with his good friend LeBron James. Wade kept the process going with players such as Collin Sexton (of the Cleveland Cavaliers), Devin Booker (of the Pheonix Suns) and several other players. Wade's final season was something special, and fans and players alike got to experience it.

If Anthony does end up on a team, he may have a similar experience. He can travel across the country and play in arenas such as Madison Square Garden one last time. Or, Anthony may retire while on the free agency market. If he remains on the market, with little to no interest from teams, he may call it a career.

There is still time before the NBA's 2019-20 season. If Anthony lands with a team, he can get a proper farewell.