Gordon Hayward has decided to retire from basketball, making Paul George the last player from the 2010 NBA Draft still active.
A tweet from ClutchPoints highlighted this milestone, asking fans how many more seasons Paul George might have left in him.
Basketball enthusiasts probably won’t remember the 2010 draft as one of the greatest. It doesn’t compare to star-studded years like 2003 or 2011.
The Standouts of 2010:
Paul George is undoubtedly the most successful player from that year. With nine All-Star games, six All-NBA teams, and four All-Defensive team selections under his belt, he’s had an impressive career. He was picked tenth overall, right after Hayward and behind players like Wesley Johnson and Ekpe Udoh.
Other notable top-10 picks include DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall. Both made multiple All-Star appearances but faced significant injuries that affected their careers. Wall was a five-time All-Star with one All-NBA and one All-Defensive team selection. Cousins earned four All-Star nods and two All-NBA selections. Hayward’s sole All-Star appearance came in the 2016-17 season.
Fans might think it’s sad to see these players’ careers impacted by injuries .
Hayward joined the Boston Celtics in July 2017 after his standout season but suffered a major injury just minutes into his debut game. Cousins and Wall also missed entire seasons due to severe injuriesโCousins with an ACL tear and Wall with an Achilles injuryโand never fully regained their peak form.
Paul George hasn’t been free from injuries either. In August 2014, he suffered a compound fracture in his lower right leg during a scrimmage for Team USA but managed to return by April, playing only six games that season. Remarkably, he bounced back stronger than ever, playing all 81 games in the following season and starting a streak of four consecutive All-Star appearances.
Fans often wonder if George can keep up this level of play as he ages; they hope for more great moments from him .
Despite turning 34 recently, George shows no signs of slowing down. Last season alone saw him average impressive stats: 22.6 points per game along with solid shooting percentages (.471/.413/.907). Many believe he’s got plenty left in the tank!
The only thing missing from George’s resume is an NBA Finals appearance. With his recent move to join Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey on the Philadelphia 76ers, he has perhaps his best chance yet at securing a title next season.
What do you think about Gordon Hayward’s retirement? Share your thoughts!
