NBA veteran Jason Kidd retired on Monday. The 40-year-old guard, who played this past season for the New York Knicks, made his announcement days after fellow 1994 draftee Grant Hill retired.
Kidd joined the Knicks last offseason and signed a three-year deal to keep him in New York until 2015, Yahoo! Sports reports. It became evident as the season went along, however, that Kidd's time in the league was running out. He averaged 26.9 minutes on the court and a career-worst 6.0 points and 3.3 assists per game.
"I think it is the right time," Kidd told ESPN. "When you think about 19 years, it has been a heckuva ride. Physically, I want to be able to participate in activities with my kids so it has taken a toll. It is time to move on and think about maybe coaching or doing some broadcasting.
"... (The Knicks) were kind of taken back. We (Kidd and agent Jeff Schwartz) told them [earlier] that I wanted to come back and play. But this weekend was when we got a chance to relax [and really think about it]. It is the right thing to do."
His career included ten All-Star appearances, five NBA assists leader awards, two Olympic gold medals, an NBA ring with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, and the co-Rookie of the Year award in 1995. He didn't hesitate to share what he was proudest of.
"The two things that are probably tied for first are winning a championship with the Mavericks and also being able to win a gold medal - two gold medals with Team USA," he said. "And then underneath that will probably be sharing Rookie of the Year with Grant [Hill]."
Hill, also 40, announced on Saturday his retirement.
Kidd, the No. 2 overall pick of 1994's draft, leaves the NBA averaging 12.6 points, 8.7 assists, 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. He became renowned for his defense and took pride in helping turn losing teams around.
"The biggest thing is winning," Kidd said. "No matter what percentage, no matter what my numbers say in the sense of points, assists, rebounds and steals, it's always been about winning. And it will always be about winning ... making my teammates better."
The Knicks, who lost in the second round of the NBA playoffs, will now need to find a backup guard to Raymond Felton. Kidd provided leadership in the locker room, where his presence will be missed.
