Here's Why Fans Believe Iman Shumpert Quietly Retired From the NBA
Iman Shumpert has not stepped on an NBA court in years, but is the baller officially retired? Here's what he has to say about his status with the league.
By D.M.March 31 2025, Published 6:51 p.m. ET
The Breakdown: Iman Shumpert was putting in work during his prime — locking down on defense and making serious noise on the court. But it’s been a minute since he’s suited up in the league, leaving folks wondering if he’s retired.
Before he stepped into the world of entertainment, Iman Shumpert dominated the basketball court. The Illinois native was selected 17th overall by the New York Knicks in the 2011 NBA Draft, and quickly established himself in the league. Iman showed off his defensive during his rookie season, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Over his time with the Knicks, he averaged 7.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
Midway through the 2014–2015 season, Iman was traded to the Cavaliers, where he played a major role in their defensive lineup. He contributed to Cleveland's historic 2016 NBA Championship, where they overcame a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors. Iman later had stints with the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and Brooklyn Nets. Throughout his career, he played in 461 regular-season games, averaging 7.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, according to Basketball Reference.
Despite his successful career, Iman is not currently playing in the NBA — leading many to believe the former baller has retired. For those who may have missed it, here’s a look at Iman’s NBA status and the speculation surrounding his retirement.
Did Iman Shumpert retire? Here's why some fans think so.
Iman was balling hard during his heyday. One of his standout games included a 27-point performance against the San Antonio Spurs in January 2014. The athlete scored a career-high 27 points to lead the New York Knicks to a 105-101 victory over the Spurs. He also came through at the end of the game. With 23.4 seconds remaining, and the game tied, he tipped in a missed shot to give the Knicks a crucial lead.
However, Iman is not currently playing in the league and some fans think he has retired for good. Despite not playing in an NBA game since the 2020–21 season, Iman remains open to returning to the league under the right circumstances. In an October 2024 interview with RG, the athlete addressed his NBA future, and suggested he was open to returning to the sport.
“People ask me, 'Are you retired?' I don't think I'll ever say I'm done playing,” Iman said. “I think if somebody said, 'Hey man, I just need you to come sit here and work out with the guys.' If everything made sense and I liked what I had to do, I wouldn't mind doing it.”
However, he expressed reservations about short-term contracts, noting, "I don't think I can do the whole 10-day, two-way contract."
Iman Shumpert is now working in entertainment and raising his kids.
Iman has transitioned into the entertainment industry since his last NBA appearance. In October 2024, he launched Taking One For The Team, an ESPN+ series where he serves as the full-time host.
Iman has also seen major changes in his personal life. In July 2024, Iman finalized his divorce from singer Teyana Taylor. The separation has been riddled with public disputes, allegations of leaked settlement details, and financial disagreements.
On March 20, Teyana Taylor took to Instagram Live to claim that Iman Shumpert was leaking information about their divorce to the media. In a statement to TMZ, Shumpert’s attorneys denied the allegation.
"My client, Mr. Iman Shumpert, has never whatsoever leaked any allegations or claims,” the statement read. “Mr. Shumpert adamantly denies that he has provided any information to any media."
