Full-time NBA starters are usually fixtures who at least wind up in a rotation the next season, if not the starting lineup. In a few cases, though, starters wind up out of the league entirely, either because of retirement or declining skills. That was the case for three players who were among those who met the starter criteria as defined by the CBA. For last year's lockout-shortened season, that meant players who started at least 33 games or played at least 1,610 minutes, pro-rated figures of the usual 41 starts and 2,000 minutes over an 82-game season.
Here are the three starters from last season who are no longer in the league, and an explanation why.
- Shelden Williams — Started 35 games for the Nets last season, but will spend this year playing in France after receiving interest from the Warriors over the summer.
- Anthony Parker — Started 51 games for the Cavaliers last season before retiring. He now works as a scout for the Magic.
- Derek Fisher — Started 43 games for the Lakers prior to his trade to the Rockets, who bought him out and allowed him to sign with the Thunder. He remains unsigned but continues to seek an NBA deal.