Jason Kidd announces his retirement after 19 NBA seasons

In a move that some Lakers fans probably hope prompts their aging point guard to re-examine his own future, Jason Kidd announced his retirement Monday after a likely Hall of Fame career that spanned 19 seasons.

Kidd, who turned 40 in March, ranks second all-time with 12,091 assists, trailing only John Stockton (15,806). He had two more years remaining on the three-year, $9.3-million contract he signed with the New York Knicks last summer.

“My time in professional basketball has been an incredible journey, but one that must come to an end after 19 years,” Kidd said in a statement released by the Knicks. “As I reflect on my time with the four teams I represented in the NBA, I look back fondly at every season and thank each and every one of my teammates and coaches that joined me on the court.”

Kidd averaged lows for his career in points (6.0) and assists (3.3) last season for the Knicks, losing his spot as a starter. Those averages dipped even lower, to 0.9 points and 2.0 assists, during the Knicks’ run to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Kidd played for the Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets, winning a title in 2011 with the Mavericks. He had two stints with Dallas, spending the first two-plus seasons of his career there before being traded to Phoenix and eventually going back to the Mavericks during the 2007-08 season.

The 1995 co-NBA rookie of the year (along with the recently retired Grant Hill), Kidd finished his career with averages of 12.6 points, 8.7 assists, 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals.

A 10-time All-Star, Kidd was an all-NBA first- or second-team selection six times and won Olympic gold medals with the U.S. team in 2000 and 2008.

Kidd’s retirement leaves Nash as the most decorated remaining point guard in the NBA. But Nash, 39, is coming off what was widely considered his worst season, averaging 12.7 points and 6.7 assists while missing 32 games during the regular season because of injuries.

Nash, who has two years left on his contract with the Lakers, has said he intends to return next season.

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