J.J. Redick announced his retirement while hosting a new episode of his podcast, “The Old Man & The Three,” which aired Tuesday.
Redick, a 15-year veteran, was a free agent this offseason after splitting the 2020-21 season with the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks. He said last month on his podcast he was taking his time on where to sign next season and might even join a team mid-season.
Redick announces retirement
In his retirement announcement, Redick said he wanted last season to be his last year but wasn’t sure how it would go. It was difficult to be away from his family, deal with injury and COVID-19 protocols and struggle on the court. He took time to reflect.
“I have some clarity now,” he said. “And I know it’s time. It’s time for me to be a dad. It’s time for me to reflect, to pause, and it’s time for me to get ready for the next phase of my life.”
He also shared a set of photos on Instagram featuring himself as a young basketball player and his two sons with him on the court.
He wrote:
“First team. Last team. So GRATEFUL for everything in between. Today, I am officially retiring from the game of basketball. Thank you to EVERYONE who was a part of my journey and career. I started playing basketball 30 years ago in my backyard on an uneven path of dirt, gravel, and grass. It was on that court that my dreams began to form. Reality has far surpassed my dreams!! So thankful for 15 years in the NBA and all the amazing relationships and memories along the way.”
One of league’s best 3-point shooters
Redick, 37, was a superstar shooter at Duke in the early 2000s, becoming a legend in the program and a consensus national college player of the year as a senior. In 2006, the Orlando Magic drafted him No. 11 overall and he stayed with the franchise for 6 1/2 seasons. He reached the only NBA Finals berth of his career in 2009 with the Magic. Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers won the series, 4-1.
Following a midseason trade in 2013 to the Milwaukee Bucks, he also spent four seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, two with the Philadelphia 76ers and 1 1/2 with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Pelicans traded him to Dallas at the trade deadline this past spring and Redick told all on his podcast a few weeks later. He called the franchise out for poor communication and not being honest with him about its plans for a trade.
Redick was one of the league’s best 3-point shooters over his career, leading the league in 3-point shooting in 2015-16 at 47.5%. He was a 41.5% shooter over his career, averaging 12.8 points, two rebounds and two assists in 25.5 minutes per game.
Redick podcast became hit in bubble
In his announcement, Redick looked forward to spending more time with his family and even taking part in the school dropoff schedule. He’ll also presumably continue his podcast, which became a big hit after launching from the bubble in Orlando one year ago.
He’s had on NBA superstars such as Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Zion Williamson and Luka Doncic. He’s also had WNBA legend and four-time champion Sue Bird on a few times. The retirement episode was No. 77 for Redick and his crew.
