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While every player's NBA journey is different, they all end the same way.
Whether it’s after five years or 15 years, retirement is inevitable for every contributor in the big leagues, whether they like it or not. In a former New York Knicks forward and NBA champion’s case, it was time to move on from the pros after a lengthy 10+ year career that ended with $90 million in total earnings.
“20 years being my job but 40 plus years of not being able to fathom doing anything other than it,” P.J. Tucker wrote on Instagram Thursday night. “So here’s to retiring from the NBA… because I will NEVER stop ballin.”
After spending one year with the Toronto Raptors to begin his NBA career, Tucker took his talents overseas before ultimately returning to the U.S. in 2012 to compete with the Phoenix Suns.
Following a five-year stint with the Suns, Tucker enjoyed stints with the Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets before winning his first and only NBA championship with the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.
The Texas product closed out his career with the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Knicks in the early to mid-2020s.
Known for his tenacious individual defense and ability to deliver in corner three situations, Tucker was unquestionably a solid role player in the most competitive basketball league in the world for quite some time.
The 41-year-old averaged 6.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals for his career, shooting 42.5% from the field and 36.6% from downtown. It’s on to bigger and better things for Tucker now.
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