Who Retired From the NBA This Year?

We’re keeping track of all the NBA players who have retired this year. Check out our list and see who’s hanging up their jersey for good.

Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bean Bryant (born August 23, 1978) is an American former professional basketball player. He played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He entered the NBA directly from high school and won five NBA championships with the Lakers. Bryant is an 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, and 12-time member of the All-Defensive team. He led the NBA in scoring during two seasons, and ranks fourth on the league’s all-time regular season scoring and all-time postseason scoring lists. He is also the first guard in NBA history to play at least 20 seasons.

Tim Duncan

Timothy Theodore “Tim” Duncan (born April 25, 1976) is an American former professional basketball player. He played his entire 19-year career with the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is widely considered to be one of the greatest power forwards of all time and is a five-time NBA champion.

Duncan started out as a swimmer and only began playing basketball in ninth grade after Hurricane Hugo destroyed the only outdoor court near his home. He played for St. Dunstan’s Episcopal High School, and then attended Wake Forest University. In college, Duncan led the Demon Deacons to the 1995 NCAA Final Four. He was selected as the number one pick in the 1997 NBA draft by the Spurs, and was a key player on their 1999–2000 NBA championship team. After winning a second championship in 2003, Duncan retired from Team USA after winning a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics]. He again helped lead his team to victory in 2005 and 2007. In his 19 seasons with San Antonio, he won five league championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), was voted to 15 All-Star Games[2] (1998–2011, 2013), made 15 All-NBA Teams[3] (1998–2011), and was limited to nine games due to injury in only four seasons. He is one of only two players in NBA history to have won five or more NBA Championships with only one team,[4][5] along with Johnny Kerr. On January 10th, 2016 he announced via Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich that he would retire at season’s end.[6][7]

Kevin Garnett

1983-present
American basketball player Kevin Garnett played 21 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) before announcing his retirement from the game in September 2016.

Drafted out of high school by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1995, Garnett was the first player in two decades to make the leap directly from high school to the NBA. He quickly became one of the league’s premier players, winning Rookie of the Year honors in 1995-96 and being named to the All-Star team on nine occasions. In 2004, he helped lead the Timberwolves to their first playoff berth in eight years.

Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2007, and he would go on to play a pivotal role in helping that team win the NBA championship in 2008. He would later spend time with the Brooklyn Nets and back with the Timberwolves before retiring as a Celtic.

Throughout his career, Garnett was known as one of the league’s fiercest competitors. He was also an outstanding defensive player, winning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2008. Upon his retirement, he was ranked sixth all-time in NBA history in both total points and total rebounds.

Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce announced his retirement from the NBA on July 18, 2017, after 19 seasons in the league. Pierce spent the first 15 years of his career with the Boston Celtics, winning an NBA Championship in 2008. He ranks as the Celtics’ second all-time leading scorer behind only hall of famer John Havlicek. Pierce also played for the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers during his NBA career.

Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade, who announced his retirement last month after 16 seasons in the NBA, is the latest high-profile player to leave the game. The Hall of Fame-bound shooting guard follows in the footsteps of other recent retirees Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.

Wade, who played his final game on April 9, ends his career as one of the most decorated players in NBA history. He was a three-time NBA champion, a 13-time All-Star and an eight-time All-NBA selection. In 2006, he was named Finals MVP after leading the Miami Heat to their first NBA championship.

Wade also leaves behind a lasting legacy off the court. He is credited with helping to grow the game of basketball in China and was an active philanthropist, supporting numerous causes throughout his career.