Cavaliers forward Shawn Marion to retire at end of season

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Shawn Marion plans to retire at the end of the season.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Shawn Marion plans to retire at the end of the season, he told AZCentral.com. 

The 36-year-old has an 8-month-old son, which he said played a key role in his decision to retire despite feeling like he can play for another three years. 

"I wanted to go out on my terms," Marion said. "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."

A top-10 draft pick in 1999, Marion spent the first eight-and-a-half seasons of his career with the Phoenix Suns and averaged 18.4 points and 10 rebounds for them. He told AZ Central his time in Phoenix was "special."

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Marion then moved on to the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks, where he won the 2011 title. After five seasons in Dallas, he considered retirement but decided to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers last September.

In 38 games for the Cavaliers this season (22 starts), Marion is averaging 5.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. 

- Molly Geary