It’s now the offseason for the Philadelphia 76ers and while the front office has its share of decisions to make, several players have to make decisions as well. That includes several veterans on the roster.
There are three veterans who are at a crossroads in their careers. The question of retirement or trying to continue to play looms over them and it might be the best choice at this point in their career.
3 Philadelphia 76ers veterans that should retire: DeAndre Jordan
The easiest player to point to who needs to retire is DeAndre Jordan. He was a part of the lob city Clippers who were a force in the Western Conference during the 2010s. Since his departure from the Los Angeles Clippers after the 2017-18 season, Jordan has seen a steady decline in his role and production.
For his career, the 33-year-old center averaged 9.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. He made an All-Star game, two All-Defensive teams, and three All-NBA teams. He has a solid legacy to fall on too. In all-time stats he’s 44th in total rebounds, 51st in total rebounds per game, 35th in offensive rebounds, 28th in defensive rebounds, 39th in blocks, 64th in blocks per game, and first overall in field goal percentage.
He’s also played for the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and finished this past season with the Sixers. Jordan isn’t the defensive stopper he once was. During his prime he was arguably the most athletic big man in the league and now that he’s lost a step, he’s not nearly as efficient as he once was on that end and he never gives too much on offense either.
This past season with the Lakers and Sixers, Jorand played just 48 games while averaging 4.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 13.0 minutes per game. Jordan will go down as a great defensive big man during his era and while he won’t be considered an all-time great, he won’t be easily forgotten as a defensive stopper.