BREAKING: Former Lakers Center Announces Decision About NBA Career

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mrbill | Sport
31/05/2025

An ex-Lakers big man hinted at whether or not his NBA career will continue on Friday.

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The 2024-25 NBA playoffs are nearly in the final stretch, meaning the summer months are around the corner. The NBA offseason is a time when players make big career decisions, whether they're choosing to start fresh as a free agent in a new city or deciding to call it a career after spending a good chunk of their life in the Association.

When it comes to the latter experience, Los Angeles Lakers fans are more than familiar with retirement talk. LeBron James' playing future comes into question each offseason, especially now that he's 40 years old, leaving many to speculate if any given summer will be his last as an active NBA superstar.

Although James has yet to announce if he'll call it a career this offseason, one of his former teammates just revealed whether or not he'll continue his NBA playing days.

Former Lakers C DeAndre Jordan Likely Returning for 2025-26 Season

Few NBA fans would be surprised if Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan announced his retirement this summer. The former 2008 second-rounder is turning 37 years old in July and has spent 17 seasons in the league, which includes multiple individual accolades and an NBA Championship ring.

Having said that, the Houston, TX native sure didn't sound like he was retiring in a goodbye message he sent to Nuggets fans earlier this week (h/t @VBenedetto).

"Big love to the Mile High fans, y'all brought the energy every night," Jordan wrote. "And to my friends, family, and everyone who's been in my corner, thank you for the love. P.S. This isn't a retirement post!"

Assuming some teams are interested in the pending unrestricted free agent, it sounds like Jordan is preparing to continue his NBA career outside of Denver. The former Texas A&M Aggie has already played for seven teams throughout his lengthy career and could add an eighth as he heads into Year 18.

Jordan's time in L.A. was brief, beginning when he signed with the Lakers shortly before the 2021-22 NBA season began. He was well past his prime at the point, averaging only 4.1 points and 5.4 rebounds with a 67.4% field-goal percentage in 32 games (19 starts) before being waived at the beginning of March.

Jordan has spent the last three seasons with the Nuggets; however, his performance has declined with each passing year. The 2024-25 campaign saw him average a career-low 3.7 PPG with a 65.0 FG%, further proving how his best days are firmly in the rearview.

Although the Lakers are desperate for frontcourt help this offseason, a reunion with Jordan shouldn't be on the cards. Los Angeles needs a reliable center who can make a difference at both ends of the floor, which the 6-foot-11 rebounder can no longer do at this stage of his career.

Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see where Jordan's journey takes him now that retirement is seemingly off the table. The 2025 NBA free agency period begins on Sunday, July 6.