Last week it was Juan Dixon.
Now Michael Finley wants to call it a comeback.
Apparently age is nothing but a number to guys like Dixon (34 years old) and Finley (39 years old) as they still feel like they have something to offer to NBA teams around the league besides a chance to increase a teams’ average age.
ESPN.com’s Marc Stein is reporting Finley — the former Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics swingman – is eyeing a comeback after last playing for the Celtics in 2010.
Over the last two years, Finley has worked intimately with the Mavs front office under the approval of Mark Cuban and is said to have played in integral part in Dallas trying to lure free agent point guard Deron Williams to town this past offseason. According to Stein, Finley was extended an invite to training camp with the Mavs on a non-guaranteed contract until a calf injury canceled the comeback attempt.
Now healthy and ready to go, Finley still feels he can help a team, especially when it comes to mentoring younger players.
The source of inspiration: chalk it up to the veteran savvy New York Knicks and their oldest roster in the league (32 years and 240 days old, the oldest in NBA history). The Brooklyn Nets’ Jerry Stackhouse (38 years old) is another part of the elderly equation too.
If they can do it, why not Finley?
Juan Dixon is taking the same approach.
The former 17th overall pick in 2002, Dixon played for Washington, Portland, Toronto and Detroit before taking his game overseas to Greece, Spain and Turkey. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard last played in the NBA during the 2008-09 season after a second go-around with the Wizards. But while Finley may transition back quickly into the NBA, Dixon (he has battled knee injuries) may have to go the D-League route if there is even a small chance it means getting close to returning to the league.
Dixon and Finley may have some company too. According to Stein, Antonio McDyess is contemplating a comeback as well.
Man, Uncle Drew has to be loving this.
