The NBA is full of stars who, after playing many seasons in the league at a very high level, ended up ending their careers without winning a championship ring, a notable blemish on the resumes of players worthy of the Hall Of Fame. Illustrious players such as Elgin Baylor, George Gervin, Charles Barkley, Pat Ewing, Adrian Dantley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Steve Nash, Tracy McGrady, Reggie Miller, Allen Iverson or Dominique Wilkins, among others, left their mark on the League, but retired without winning the championship.
In this new season that starts on Tuesday, several veteran stars could join the list of outlaws if they do not take advantage of what could be their last chance to win a ring that has eluded them. For these players who are already over 35 years old, time is running out. With age, injuries and an uncertain future looming over their heads, this could be their last chance to cement their legacy with a title. These four future Hall of Famers find themselves in that borderline situation:
Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat) – 13 NBA seasons
Jimmy Butler has been the heart and soul of the Miami Heat since his arrival, leading them to two NBA Finals appearances in 2020 and 2023. He turned 35 on Sept. 14 and his chances of winning a championship are slipping away. Although he has a player option to continue with the Heat for the 2025-26 season for $52.4 million, this season he will be eligible for a player option to continue with the Heat for the 2025-26 season for $52.4 million.
Butler, a six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA team member, has earned a reputation for his decisive performances in the playoffs, which led him to be nicknamed ‘Playoff Jimmy’ after leading his team to the Finals in 2020 and 2023. However, his efficiency and explosiveness declined last season, in which he credited averages of 20.8 points, although his defense and leadership remain strong in Miami.
James Harden (L. A. Clippers) – 15 NBA seasons
James Harden‘s career has been marked by incredible individual achievements: season MVP (2018), 3 times top scorer (2018, 19 and 20), 2 times top assist (2017 and 23), 10 times All Star or 6 times included in the best quintet of the League. But in 15 seasons in the NBA his personal brilliance has not helped him to achieve a single ring with any of the five teams he has played for: Thunder, Rockets, Nets, Sixers and Clippers.
He turned 35 in August and although he has a player option for the 2025-26 season for 36.3 million, this could be his last chance for a championship. Last season he averaged 16.6 points (42.8% shooting from the field), 8.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds. And this season he must prove that he is capable of fitting in with other stars like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. But if he fails to live up to his expectations, suffers injuries again or his production continues to decline, it could be his last real chance to win a title.
Russell Westbrook (Denver Nuggets) – 16 NBA seasons
Russell Westbrook, one of the most complete and athletic point guards the NBA has seen in the last 15 years, has just signed with the Denver Nuggets in search of the ring that has eluded him in his 16-season career. He failed to win it with his five previous teams (Thunder, Rockets, Wizards, Lakers and Clippers) and now he has a unique opportunity to open his career, as the team led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray is one of the great favorites for the title. He will turn 36 on Nov. 12 and has a player option for 2025-26 for $3.4 million, but this may be his last chance.
His role with the Nuggets will be secondary, as an understudy to starter Murray. It’s been years since Westbrook stopped being a star in the league. Years in which he became MVP of the season (2017), in addition to being included twice in the best five of the League, proclaiming himself another two top scorer (2015 and 17), being up to three times top assist of the tournament or participating nine times in the All Star. But his decline in recent seasons has been evident. Last season he averaged 11.1 points (27.3% t3), 5 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He still maintains his athleticism, but his shooting efficiency has declined as his poor decision making has become more pronounced.
Chris Paul (San Antonio Spurs) – 19 NBA seasons
On May 6, Chris Paul will turn 40 years old and faces what will presumably be his last active season before announcing his retirement, as he is not under contract for the 2025-26 season. He has signed with the Spurs, a team that is not even close to being among the contenders to fight for the ring, so it seems clear that the point guard has prioritized his role as mentor of Victor Wembanyama, the last prodigy of the NBA, rather than achieving the ring, which will leave a stain on an impressive rsum.
In fact, in his 19 seasons in the NBA (Hornets, Clippers, Rockets, Thunder, Suns and Warriors) he was four times included in the league’s best five, led the league in assists five times, six times in steals and participated 12 times in the All Star. He did so with averages of 17.5 points, 9.4 assists and 1.2 steals. But over the years his effectiveness has declined. Last season he credited 9.2 points and 6.8 assists, but injuries kept him out during critical moments of the campaign.
