Is Garrett Temple Really Still in the League?

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Garrett Temple just recently turned 37 years old a few months ago. Temple has been in the league since 2009 and has only cracked 10 points or more during one season of his 13-year career. Temple has not called it quits yet, as he is returning for a fourteenth season. Temple and the Raptors have agreed to a veteran minimum contract making Temple the fifth oldest player in the NBA under contract currently. With so many players leaving the league at a young age, why is Temple still around after so many years of below-average play?

When looking at Temple’s stats alone, it is clear that his play on the court isn’t why he is still in the league. Temple averaged only two points per game last season and shot 40 percent from the field. The reason he still has a presence in the league is his veteran leadership. Temple has been a part of six different playoff runs during his career and has learned a lot during this time. The Raptors need a player like this to guide them if they want to return to being a playoff contender.