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The Boston Celtics were crowned as the 2023/2024 NBA season champions. Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White won the NBA championship and were also part of the gold-medal-winning USA men's basketball team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Now that the Olympics are over, everyone is looking forward to the new NBA season. Like every season, we will see some players retiring, and although it will be tough for their fans to digest, it is a part of this beautiful sport.
Over the last few months, we have seen the likes of Blake Griffin, Gordon Heyward, and Kemba Walker announcing their retirements. In this article, I'll list five guards who should retire after the upcoming season.
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Chris Paul
Chris Paul is one of the best point guards to ever play in the NBA. Although he hasn't won an NBA championship yet, Paul will be forever remembered as a 'true point guard' despite the growth of positionless basketball.
The Golden State Warriors' experiment with Paul didn't work out, and the 39-year-old player was waived by the franchise this offseason. He then signed a one-year $10.46 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs, and this could be his last season.
"That is a genius move by the Spurs"
—@Money23Green on San Antonio teaming Chris Paul up with Wemby pic.twitter.com/aQbfupLQsZ
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) July 9, 2024
Paul has played only 59 and 58 games in the last two seasons, respectively, and given his injury history, things will likely be the same this year. He will be crucial in Victor Wembanyama's development as a player this upcoming season and can average double-digit assists.
But apart from that, there is nothing else significant for him to accomplish in San Antonio. No championship-contending team is likely to pursue him, and Paul could ride off into the sunset once his contract with the Spurs is over in 2025.
Kyle Lowry
Kyle Lowry signed with the Philadelphia 76ers last season after he got waived by the Charlotte Hornets following his arrival as part of the trade for Terry Rozier. Lowry signed a one-year $3.3 million contract with the 76ers this offseason and decided to stay in Philadelphia.
Since leaving the Toronto Raptors, Lowry has averaged 10.9 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 178 games across three seasons while shooting 42.6% from the field and 37% from three-point range.
Kyle Lowry in the gym!
(IG: Kyle_Lowry7) pic.twitter.com/bbOlUvAkLJ
— J🐐 (@SixersJustin) August 10, 2024
The six-time All-Star will be 39 years old by the time the next NBA season is over. Following his arrival in Philadelphia last season, Lowry did shoot better than he did in Miami. Still, given his age, the timing is ideal for him to retire after this season.
The 2019 NBA champion has played more than 60 games just once in the last five seasons. He is currently listed as Tyrese Maxey's backup, but if Reggie Jackson plays well, we might see Lowry's minutes taking a hit.
Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose signed a two-year, $6.55 million contract with the Memphis Grizzlies last year but, due to injuries, was limited to only 24 games. He is healthy now and will play in the upcoming NBA season, but since he is entering the last year of his contract, the chances of Rose retiring after this season remain quite high.
It's hard to talk about Rose without the word 'injuries' as they derailed a potential Hall of Fame career. The former Bulls star won the MVP when he was just 22 years old and still holds the record for the youngest MVP in the history of the NBA. Unfortunately, he is just now a role player and will be Ja Morant's backup this year.
Rose was primarily brought in to serve as a mentor for Morant, but due to the injuries to the entire Grizzlies roster last year, the team wasn't able to accomplish their goals. Now that everyone is healthy, the Grizzlies pose a serious threat to Western Conference contenders, and Rose will be crucial for them to reduce the load from Morant and Marcus Smart.
The soon-to-be 36-year-old averaged 8.0 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.9 rebounds in 24 games last season while playing an average of 16.6 minutes per game. Rose's minutes might get reduced due to the availability of other players, and even if he stays healthy, this could very well be the last season of his NBA career.
Patty Mills
Veteran Aussie Patty Mills has been a part of five different teams in the past 14 months. After getting waived by the Atlanta Hawks in February, Mills played 13 games for the Miami Heat at the end of the season.
As per reports, he is likely to retire from the Australian national team after the nation from down under failed to win a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Mills is currently a free agent, and this upcoming season could be the last one of his NBA career.
Patty Mills is expected to retire from the Australian national team, per @BasketNews_com.
FIBA legend. pic.twitter.com/LAkvXgpfP5
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 6, 2024
The 36-year-old was a second-round pick in the 2009 NBA Draft and has played 15 seasons already. He will be forever remembered for his stint with the Spurs, but given his age and performances in the last few seasons, it might be time for Mills to retire or return to Australia to play in the NBL.
In the last two seasons, Mills has played just 72 games and has averaged 5.2 points, 1.3 assists, and 1.1 rebounds while shooting just 33% from three-point range, which is well below his career average of 38.6%.
Wesley Matthews
Wesley Matthews signed a one-year $3.2 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks last season but played only 36 games for them. He will be 38 years old by the time the new season starts, and it might be time for him to call it quits after 15 seasons in the NBA.
Matthews is currently a free agent, and if a team does sign him, it will be to fill a roster spot. In 36 games for the Hawks last season, he averaged 3.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.6 assists while shooting 35.1% from the field and 34.8% from the three-point range.
Matthews has had a very good career, given he was an undrafted rookie. As per Spotrac, he has accrued $116.8 million in career earnings so far. If it is the end for him in the NBA, he will be most remembered for his stint with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he spent five seasons and was an extremely reliable three-point specialist.
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