Top 5 NBA players who were forced to retire feat. Elgin Baylor

Basketball players usually dream of a long and successful career in the NBA. Very rarely will a someone retire after a few seasons in the biggest and most lucrative league in the world. Unless there is a grave reason to do so, they usually aim to be part of the league for at least over a decade.

Longevity has turned out to be something some players couldn’t achieve. Some played long enough but could have played more until their careers ended abruptly and with finality. From superstar to a member of a supporting cast, there have been different reasons why players quit sooner than expected.

Players who had to quit from the NBA

#5 Shawn Kemp

Shawn Kemp was one of the NBA’s top power forwards in the mid-90s. He was arguably the league’s most explosive player who was a staple in highlight reels. Together with Gary Payton, they made the Seattle SuperSonics an exciting team to watch.

Kemp’s weight issues and addiction, however, took a toll on him. The Orlando Magic did not give him a new deal after the 2002-03 season. No other team also offered the “Reign Man” a contract to stay in the league.

Shawn Kemp attempted a comeback multiple times but wasted those opportunities by failing to show up. He did that to the Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets. The six-time All-Star eventually played in Italy before calling it quits.

#4 Gilbert Arenas

Gilbert Arenas was only 30 years old when his career in the NBA ended. He was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2009 and was out of the league after the 2011-12 season. “Agent Zero” took his talent to China when no team would sign him. He retired from basketball after one year with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association.

Arenas was an explosive scorer before knee injuries robbed him of his scoring abilities. He had a three-year stretch where he was an All-Star and easily one of the league’s deadliest scorers. Arenas was also involved in a gun-drawing incident with former teammate Javaris Crittenton.

Commissioner David Stern suspended him for 50 games in 2010. Gilbert Arenas never became the player he once was following his injuries and run-in with the law.