Ray Allen officially called it a career Tuesday. And while Allen hasn't actually played an NBA game since 2014, he was still among the most productive geezers when he was lighting up the scoreboard for the Heat his final two seasons at ages 37 and 38.
The guard averaged 10.3 points per game over his last two campaigns in South Beach while maintaining his status as one of the best knock-down shooters in the league. In an ode to Allen, we rounded up a number of geezers like Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, and Paul Pierce who, despite their advanced age, are still considered productive players and vital cogs on their respective teams as they inch closer and closer to joining Allen in retirement. So remember that age ain't nothing but a number when you check out our list of nine geezers still getting it done around the NBA.
Richard Jefferson
Age: 36
Signed through: 2019
Career stats: 13.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.0 APG
The Cavs re-signed Jefferson after he helped them to an NBA title last season and R.J. enjoyed a resurgence playing with LeBron and company. At 36, he not only provides leadership but also versatility on the court despite only once averaging more than double digits over his last eight seasons. As long as he gets the LeBron co-sign, the numbers don't really matter.
Jamal Crawford
Age: 36
Signed through: 2019
Career stats: 15.5 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 3.5 APG
Crawford has managed to be one of the most productive bench players in the league despite his advanced age, taking home his third Sixth Man of the Year trophy last season when he poured in 14.2 points per game and knocked down 34 percent from three. He ranked fifth in the league in scoring average among players coming off the bench and is the all-time leader in four-point plays. Crawford has actually hit more threes than all but seven players in NBA history.
Matt Barnes
Age: 36
Signed through: 2018
Career stats: 8.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 0.8 APG
Bouncing all around the NBA, Barnes has always found a way to be a productive player, mostly as a wing. He shot a career high of 36 percent from three two seasons ago and is still a solid defender at his age. The Kings have overlooked his off-the-court issues and believe that his value on-the-court is worth more than any potential drama.
Chris Andersen
Paul Pierce
Age: 38
Signed through: 2018
Career stats: 20.0 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 0.5 APG
Pierce announced before the season that this would be the last of a 15-year career that will end with him earmarked for the Hall of Fame. Although Pierce's numbers have declined over the last several years during his stops with the Nets, Wizards, and now the Clippers—and we declared him one of the 25 worst players in the NBA recently—Pierce has a veteran presence and is still capable of pouring in 20 on occasion.
Dirk Nowitzki
Age: 39
Signed through: 2018
Career stats: 22.0 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.5 APG
The Mavericks' greatest player averaged about 19.5 points per game in the 2016 playoffs and despite approaching 40, his teammate Deron Williams has noticed “father time just can’t catch up with him.” Last season, Nowitzki became the fourth player in NBA history to score 40 points at that age and finished the year averaging a team-high 18.3 points per game.
Manu Ginobili
Age: 39
Signed through: 2017
Career stats: 14.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.0 APG
Averaging 9.6 PPG last season, Ginobili may not be as productive as he used to be, but the Argentinean possesses one of the NBA's most brilliant minds. He knows when to cut and knows when to pass, allowing him to still be successful despite facing much more athletic defenders. With the recent retirement of Tim Duncan, Ginobili carries the torch as the resident Spurs old who is still getting it done on a nightly basis.
Jason Terry
Age: 39
Signed through: 2017
Career stats: 14.3 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 4.1 APG
Terry got a fresh start in his 18th NBA season. At 39, he agreed to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks and previously said the squad is “on the cusp of doing great things and the Bucks have a great coach in Jason Kidd.” Terry will likely take upon a player-coach role, similar to what Kevin Garnett served as last year with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and serve as a valued role player under the direction of 43-year-old Kidd.
Vince Carter
Age: 39
Signed through: 2017
Career states: 20.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.8 APG
With Andre Miller not being on a roster to start the 2016-17 season, Vince carter is the oldest player currently in the NBA. Averaging only 8.7 points per game, Carter has acknowledged that he “has nothing to prove offensively, however when [the team] needs me and the situation calls for it, I’ll knock down shots.” Although it seems like Carter has lost a step or two, he shut down rising superstar Andre Wiggins, holding him to two free throws in the final quarter of their meeting Oct. 27. In 2015, a comparison of the two went viral after a 38-year-old Carter was jumping next to a 19-year-old Wiggins.
