Throughout NBA history, there are multitudes of players who were once stars or glorified role guys who have made a tremendous impact on their teams. However, no matter who you are, a decline may come early or late due to factors you cannot control.
Fans may follow a player’s every move, but there are times when they entirely forget if a certain guy is still active in the league. The decline is usually associated with age, but other factors can also be the culprit, as injuries and lack of improvement can also hinder a player’s development.
In today’s list, we will select 10 NBA players you had no idea were still active and somewhat playing in the association.
Which of these players is still surprisingly active on an NBA roster today?
Taj Gibson
If you thought that old-school big man Taj Gibson was out of an NBA job, you’d be wrong. At 39 years old, Gibson is still active player in the NBA and is currently playing for the Charlotte Hornets this season.
He was a serviceable 6 foot 9 power forward throughout his NBA career and was a Tom Thibodeau favorite, playing for the famed coach almost exclusively. The same can’t be said today, as Gibson often looked lost and outmatched on the floor due to his age and high mileage.
PJ Tucker
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We’d forgive you if you thought that P.J. Tucker was already out of an NBA job this season. The biggest highlight he received the year was via the trade deadline, where his name was tossed into multiple deals like a hot potato.
The soon-to-be 40-year-old is currently trying his luck with the Knicks on a short deal. But don’t expect him to stick around after this season, as his numbers have declined significantly within the last four years.
Joe Ingles
When we talk about Joe Ingles, we instantly imagine him donning a Jazz jersey across his chest. He was a beloved player for that NBA franchise from 2014 to 2022. While not a scorer, Ingles endeared fans with his high basketball IQ and savvy passes while a member of the Jazz.
Right now, the 6-foot-9 forward from Australia is playing for the Timberwolves, albeit in limited minutes. His numbers have significantly dipped in recent years, and he has become more of a motivator rather than an active player.
Eric Gordon
While Eric Gordon was never an all-star caliber player in the NBA, the man was a certified bucket during his heyday. The 6 foot 3 shooting guard has scored over 14,000 points throughout his 17-year career in the association.
We can’t blame you if you genuinely thought that Gordon isn’t on an NBA team right now. He’s currently playing for the Sixers but was sidelined due to various injuries this season. It also hurts to see that his age has finally caught up with his game, averaging under double digits for the first time in his career.
Mo Bamba
Did you ever notice the tall guy at the end of the Pelicans bench this season? That guy would be Mo Bamba, the former 6th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft.
Bamba never fully lived up to his potential as a defensive monster in the paint. Injuries may have played a part in his downfall, but he was not the franchise-altering talent many analysts had hoped him to be. It’s safe to say that you’ll be forgiven if you thought the 7-foot player was long gone in the NBA.
DeAndre Jordan
There was a time when DeAndre Jordan was one of the best centers in the league. He was a vital cog in the ‘Lob City’ era with the Clippers from 2008 to 2018. The man can jump right out of the building, catching lob passes and swatting shots with ease.
However, for the past three seasons, Jordan has served as the Nuggets’ primary backup to Nikola Jokic. At 36 years old, the former one-time all-star’s numbers have dwindled and plunged into the DNP category.
James Johnson
Johnson was once a hot commodity in the association. He was a combo forward who could switch from one to five with ease and was exceptionally strong for his size.
You’d be hard-pressed to know where Johnson plays right now, and I don’t blame you. He only appeared in less than 30 games over the last couple of seasons – a relatively minuscule amount compared to other players in the NBA. He’s been with the Pacers for the last three seasons, acting as their veteran presence on the bench for this young team.
Jeff Green
In all honesty, it’s surprising that Jeff Green is still an NBA player today. The fact that he had a heart ailment in the early part of his career and has lasted this long is a true testament to his dedication to the game of basketball.
Green has been a welcomed veteran presence for the surging Rockets for the last couple of years. Although his numbers have dipped significantly due to his advancing age, his rim-rattling dunks are still worth the watch.
Doug McDermott
The former Creighton star never truly became a bucket-getter in the league as he was projected to be, but McDermott carved a nice role for all the teams he has played for throughout his entire career.
However, in the last four seasons, he has been a constant DNP for several teams and has become an NBA journeyman. Already past his prime, McDermott, who now plays for the Kings, would be extremely lucky if the former college star could prolong his NBA career for another couple of seasons.
Tristan Thompson
Yes, you read that right. Tristan Thompson is still on an active roster in the NBA. For context, Thompson was one of the best players on the Cavs during their NBA Finals run in 2016.
But truth be told, his best days are way behind him. If it weren’t for the Cavs, Thompson might not be even playing in the league right now. Maybe the Cavs are just keeping him as a lucky charm? Who knows.
