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3 players in the final chapters of their NBA career

Adam Hunger / USA Today Sports

"Summer Sixteen" saw the NBA say goodbye to three all-time greats in Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett.

This offseason promises more to come.

Manu Ginobili and Paul Pierce both strongly contemplated retirement before returning for one more run. Vince Carter, the league's elder statesman at 40, might join them. The ancient bones of Jason Terry and his Larry O'Brien trophy tattoos will likely follow suit.

Who's time will come after those legends walk away? Another three future Hall of Famers who remain effective into their mid-thirties are next:

Dwyane Wade

Wade was supposed to be Miami Heat lifer, but that plan went out the window when negotiations with a stingy Pat Riley turned sour. The Flash instead returned home to the Chicago Bulls.

The Windy City homecoming hasn't gone as expected. Chicago is hovering around .500 despite near all-star-worthy production from Wade. His averages of 18.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals are impressive for a 35-year-old, but his career-low field-goal percentage tells the real story.

Wade can still log 30 minutes a night and be the second scorer in an awful Bulls offense, but his tank is nearing on empty midway through the season with a potential postseason run on tap. The 12-time All-Star should be a supporting character - not a centerpiece - for a contender at this stage of his career but he's draining himself every night for a mediocre Bulls side.

If things don't turn around, Wade might move onto yet another destination. The homecoming story is nice, but Wade's time is limited. Adding a fourth championship to his mantle would make for an incredible exit for one of the best shooting guards the game has ever seen.

Dirk Nowitzki

The 7-foot frame, the smarts, and the effortless jumpshot will always be there for Nowitzki. The battle he wages is with time itself.

Nowitzki can still get buckets when his health holds up, but that's no easy task for the 38-year-old. Now in his 19th year, even walking through the park is a challenge for Nowitzki's ailing Achilles. The Big German needs time off, but the struggling Mavericks need him more than ever just to compete for the playoffs.

The most obvious example of this came last week. Nowitzki put up 19 points against the Heat, then tried his luck by playing on a back-to-back the next night against the Utah Jazz. He went for three points in the sequel on 1-of-13 shooting. Nowitzki needs time that both he and the Mavs don't have.

Whatever happens, there will be at least one more year for the former MVP. Nowitzki vowed that he wants 20 years, and Mark Cuban owes him every opportunity to reach that mark. It's a shame Dallas is closer to last in the West than they are to a playoff spot, but Nowitzki can still make the most of the time he has left.

Tony Parker

Parker also wants his 20 years, but that's not necessarily a given with the San Antonio Spurs, because unlike the Mavericks, the Spurs remain competitive, which means every dollar spent must also produce returns.

The 34-year-old Parker can run the Spurs system in his sleep. He knows all the in-and-outs, every opportunity to cut, his quick first step can still get him the pull-up 20-footer that he adores. His averages this season mirror those of his last two campaigns.

But the keys to the car no longer belong to Parker. He took them from Manu Ginobili, who took them from Duncan, who took them from David Robinson, but now Kawhi Leonard is the main option. Parker can still bring the ball up and set everything in motion, but when the chips are down, Parker either languishes on the bench or he gets out of the way.

There's a strong case to be made that his backup, the ball of energy known as Patty Mills, should get the lion's share of minutes at the point. Mills is worlds better as a shooter and puts forth better defensive effort.

Parker will earn $14 million next summer for a Spurs side that could negotiate max cap room to chase a marquee free agent. Better point guards than Parker will be available in Kyle Lowry and Chris Paul. If push comes to shove, the Spurs' loyalty will be tested.

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