While most of 2016’s NBA free agents have either signed a contract or at least been linked to some potential suitors, there hasn’t been much chatter surrounding Tayshaun Prince over the last few months. Nonetheless, Prince tells Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated that he hasn’t thought about retiring, and wants to continue his playing career in the NBA.
According to Spears, Prince has received some interest – but no concrete offers – from NBA teams. The veteran forward would like to join a contender, and doesn’t have interest in heading overseas to continue his career, so he’s still hoping to hear from a team soon — perhaps once the dust settles after teams make preseason cuts.
“The hardest part about the wait is that there are a lot of teams out there that know what I bring to the game,” Prince said. “I know I have good leadership, and they know I’m a great locker room guy. Obviously, some of the assistant coaches that you’ve played for are dispersed around the league. A lot of them are accustomed to what I do and what I bring to teams.
“Now is the time where teams are checking out their roster with 18 or 19 guys,” Prince continued. “They are trying to see if some of these guys can make the roster. After all that settles, I hope to hopefully hear something.”
As Spears writes, Prince has been working out and staying in basketball shape, so he’d be ready to contribute if he got a call. However, after posting double-digit scoring averages during the prime of his career, Prince has seen his production dip in recent seasons. In 2015/16, he set new career lows in PPG (2.9) and 3PT% (.174), though he did still appear in 77 games for the Timberwolves, starting 44 of them and averaging 19.0 minutes per night.
You can check out our full list of 2016 NBA free agents, including Prince, right here.
I think Charlotte should take a look at one of these veteran wings. Prince or Budinger would fit in pretty well. Behind Batum and MKG they only have Belineli and Lamb.
ONLY play for a contender; this is what baffles me about J Terry going to the Bucks. Mentoring is fine; even better once your playing days are over. Like Mitch Richmond and Gary Payton b/f them, these “older” players should think about that. If you have one yr left, play for a team w/ a chance to win the ring. IMO…
If he can start making that 3 point shot a little more like he used to, he’d be a good option for the end of the warriors bench, considering they’re relying on Patrick McCay and Ian Clark to replace Brandon Rush and Leandro Barbosa in their rotation. They could replace Varejao with him….
*McCaw
OK, Z, good point. Yeah, get back that 3 pt threat. He’d be good for the vets min, go get Ring # 2, and retire. Sweet…