Luke Ridnour, a veteran from the famed 2003 NBA draft class, has decided not to play in the upcoming 2015–16 season and may even be saying his final goodbye to the NBA. With training camps set to open and the new season just around the corner, many players are gearing up with excitement. Yet Ridnour has chosen a different path, stepping away from the game for now.

Although he has not officially announced his retirement, BD Cricket Live reports that Ridnour’s future as a professional player remains uncertain. Despite receiving interest from several teams during the offseason, the 12-year NBA veteran ultimately decided to take a break. In many ways, it’s a bittersweet ending. This summer, Ridnour endured a whirlwind of trades, getting dealt four times in quick succession — a brutal stretch that left him understandably disillusioned.

First, on June 25, the Orlando Magic traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for the draft rights to Janis Timma, a 2013 second-round pick. The very next day, the Grizzlies traded him to the Charlotte Hornets for Matt Barnes. On that same day, Charlotte waived him before trading his rights to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a deal involving Jeremy Lamb. But Ridnour’s journey didn’t stop there. The Thunder, too, moved him swiftly to the Toronto Raptors. Within just one week, he had changed teams four times — a situation that BD Cricket Live notes is reminiscent of the 2009 ordeal when Quentin Richardson was traded four times in a month.

One major reason Ridnour chose to sit out this season was the emotional toll of being traded so many times. After landing with the Raptors, whose plans never included keeping him, Ridnour’s non-guaranteed contract was left untouched, officially making him a free agent. Drafted 14th overall by the Seattle SuperSonics — the predecessor of the Oklahoma City Thunder — in 2003, Ridnour has battled through 12 seasons in the NBA.

Last season with the Orlando Magic, Ridnour appeared in 47 games, averaging 14.5 minutes, 4.0 points, and 2.0 assists per game. Over the course of his career, he has maintained averages of 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Notably, Ridnour’s steady presence and solid playmaking ability made him a trusted name among coaches for over a decade.

While Ridnour has not completely ruled out a return, BD Cricket Live highlights that the emotional scars from a chaotic offseason have clearly left their mark. Whether he eventually decides to lace up his sneakers again or walk away for good, Ridnour’s journey serves as a reminder that sometimes, even the strongest players can get caught up in the unpredictable tides of professional sports.