Former Warriors forward Richard Jefferson retires after 17 NBA seasons

After 17 years in the NBA, former Warriors small forward Richard Jefferson is calling it a career.

The 38-year-old announced his decision on Instagram, paying tribute to his father, Richard Sr., who was killed in a drive-by shooting last month. 

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Well here’s my first post! In the last month I’ve dealt with two life changing events back to back. My decision to move on from basketball and the tragic passing of Big Rich. The support of my family and friends have been huge. This video was taken after he bbq’d for about 20 people, something he would do a few times every summer. All I would do is tell people that I washaving people over to my house and the next question was “Is Big Rich on the grill?” He really was a true OG. I’m going to miss all his one-liners, his cooking and his ability to make a whole room laugh. Until next time!!!! #RIPPLAYAPLAYA #tripleOG PAPA REALLY WAS A ROLLING STONE!!!✊

A post shared by Richard Jefferson (@richardajefferson) on Oct 13, 2018 at 9:13am PDT

Jefferson joined the Warriors at the trade deadline in 2012, as the team acquired him in the deal that sent Stephen Jackson to the San Antonio Spurs -- days after Golden State re-acquired Jackson in a trade that brought center Andrew Bogut over from the Milwaukee Bucks. In 78 games over parts of two seasons, Jefferson averaged 4.8 points in 14.7 minutes per game. 

The University of Arizona product was dealt to the Utah Jazz in a massive, three-team trade in 2013. That deal cleared salary-cap space for the Warriors to sign Jefferson's fellow Arizona alum, Andre Iguodala, who was dealt from the Denver Nuggets to Golden State. 

Jefferson crossed paths with the Warriors again three years later, winning an NBA title with the Cleveland Cavaliers against his old team. In the 2016 NBA Finals, Jefferson started twice in the seven-game series, averaging 5.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 24 minutes per game. On Christmas Day the following season, Jefferson, then 36 years old, dunked over Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant in a 109-108 Cavaliers win. 

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Man to be 95 years of age and still being able to do this!!! RJ tell me where that fountain is brother. #IPromise I can keep a secret. Haha! Wowzers!!

A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Dec 26, 2016 at 2:34pm PST

Cleveland traded Jefferson to the Atlanta Hawks last October, who waived him immediately. He signed a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets five days later, playing 20 games in his last NBA season.

Jefferson is best-known for the seven years he spent with the New Jersey Nets, making back-to-back NBA Finals in his first two seasons. He also played for the Bucks, Spurs, Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks in 1,181 career games.