Shawn Marion plans to retire after season

Shawn Marion has announced his intention to retire at the conclusion of this season, as told to The Arizona Republic's Paul Coro.

"I wanted to go out on my terms," Marion said, as reported by Coro, who writes that Marion believes he could play three more years but wants to be with his young son. "The biggest thing is having a son. I got attached to him. Seeing him periodically is hard. Watching him grow up on pictures and videos is hard."

Whether Marion could actually play much longer is a discussion for another day, as the once dynamic force has been slowed by age and rendered virtually ineffective on the court for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season.

Still, his career remains something to behold.

Marion, the ninth overall pick in the 1999 Draft, has spent 15 seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks and Cavaliers, averaging 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks.

The 36-year-old forward made four All-Star appearances with the Suns, was selected to two All-NBA Third Teams in 2005 and 2006, and won a championship with the Mavericks in 2011.

His best and most memorable years undoubtedly came as a member of the run-and-gun Suns of the mid-2000's, partnering with Steve Nash, Amar'e Stoudemire, Joe Johnson and LeAndro Barbosa, among others, under Mike D'Antoni's tutelage.

Over a five-year run from the 2002-03 season through the 2006-07 season, which included all four of his All-Star appearances, Marion averaged 19.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.4 blocks on a Player Efficiency Rating of 21.5. He missed only eight games over those five seasons.

Marion's versatility at both forward positions - and occasionally other positions on the floor - was an integral component for those perennially contending Phoenix teams. A prime example of this is evidenced by the fact that the 62-win Suns of 2004-05 performed an incredible 13.4 points per 100 possessions better with Marion on the court as opposed to on the bench, according to Basketball Reference.

Marion's name doesn't exactly spark Hall of Fame debate, and it's tough to see him getting in - but he was one of the NBA's most complete and unique players for a significant period of time, and his durability and consistency made him a staple of his generation.

(Table courtesy Basketball Reference)