For every exciting NBA rookie that enters the league, there is a veteran that is on his way out.
Some years it is a former star that has finally lost a step.
In other years it is a role player who lost his spot in the rotation.
This year it is more of the ladder as the stars are still contributing.
LeBron James is still playing at an All-NBA level in his 19th season.
And while Chris Paul has not had an excellent start to his season, he was an All-NBA Third-Team member just last season.
It is a different story for these two grizzled vets who have had wonderful careers spanning a total of 32 years.
However, it is just about time they hang it up.
Andre Iguodala
First up is four-time NBA Champion and one-time Finals MVP, Andre Iguodala.
Iguodala started his career as a two-way, All-Star caliber wing for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Across eight seasons, he averaged 15.3 points. 5.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.
Iguodala was selected to one All-Star game, one NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
After Philadelphia, he joined the franchise he is most associated with – the Golden State Warriors.
Across six seasons, he was a key cog in the Warriors’ rotation, averaging 26.7 minutes per game.
He won three rings (and a fourth after rejoining Golden State this past year) and his Finals MVP in 2014-15.
Andre Iguodala announced "this is the last one" and he'll be returning to the Warriors for his 19th NBA season 💪 @andre
🏀 NBA All-Star
🏀 NBA Finals MVP
🏀 4× NBA Champion
🏀 NBA All-Rookie First Team
🏀 NBA All-Defensive First Team
🏀 NBA All-Defensive Second Team pic.twitter.com/c844jDMJZy— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 23, 2022
However, Iguodala appears to be at the end of his road, and he has stated as such himself.
Last season saw him appear in only 31 games and average 19.5 minutes per contest.
Come playoff time, his role shrank to just 8.7 minutes per game.
Iguodala has shot below 40% from the field in two consecutive seasons and has not averaged greater than five points per game since 2018-19.
DeAndre Jordan
The second veteran on our list is DeAndre Jordan.
While he never enjoyed the playoff success like Iguodala did, Jordan was an accomplished player in his time.
He was selected to one All-Star Team, made three All-NBA Teams, and made two NBA All-Defensive Teams.
Jordan was one of the most impactful interior defenders in the league during his 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Across a five-year stretch in LA when he was a full-time starter, Jordan averaged 11.9 points, 14.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.
Jordan consistently appeared on Defensive Player of the Year ballots and highlight reels everywhere.
However, it has been clear in recent years Jordan is no longer the player he once was.
WTF is DeAndre Jordan doing?! 😂pic.twitter.com/jjBVPGUBTR
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) November 12, 2022
Signing with the Denver Nuggets this offseason put Jordan on his sixth team in five seasons.
His minutes per game have dropped consistently each year and the eye test justifies why.
Jordan has lost the explosiveness that made him a feared rim protected and lob threat in years past.
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