Jason “The Jet” Terry has ended his NBA playing career.
But in true Jet fashion, he also said that he’s not done rolling down the runway. There’s just a new destination on his next takeoff.
The former Maverick star, NBA sixth man of the year in 2009 and beloved member of the 2011 championship team has joined the front office of the G-League Texas Legends as assistant general manager, it was announced Tuesday. It’s the first stop of what most experts believe will be a long career in management – either as an executive or coach.
He formally announced his retirement on Twitter – at least as formally as anybody can on social media – while celebrating his 42nd birthday.
“Beautiful B-day with the fam this weekend,” Terry said on Twitter. “Sweet way to get charged up on the runway for exciting news to come. I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the best fans in the NBA. Though my final flight as a player is done, basketball remains my destination.”
In a release announcing his new position with the Legends – the Mavericks’ G-League affiliate – Terry said: “It’s great to begin my front office career here. The Dallas area has been home to me and my family for many years and the Mavericks franchise has always been family. To get to work with this organization in this capacity is exciting. I look forward to getting started.”
Terry, a first round pick (10th overall) by Atlanta in 1999, played 1,410 regular-season NBA games in his 19-year career.
“The Texas Legends have hired a legend that will add value at every level of the organization,” Mavericks’ coach Rick Carlisle said. “Congrats to both Jason and the Legends.”
Terry will always be remembered for his work with the Mavericks in 2011 when he averaged 18 points in the NBA finals against Miami, including 27 points in the series-clinching Game 6 victory at Miami.
He played eight seasons for the Mavericks, made the playoffs every year and averaged 16.1 points and 4.1 assists. He was equally effective as a starter and a sixth man, although coming off the bench proved to be his calling card during the last decade of his career.
He would play for six different teams and freely admitted that he was soaking everything in during his final seasons in preparation for his post-playing career. He had mentioned coaching or front-office work as his top priorities after retirement, although he’s proven that he could be a great asset to any network as a basketball analyst or commentator.
He also has been open to the idea of returning to his beloved University of Arizona in some capacity and has championed the idea of the NBA returning to his home town of Seattle.
For now, he will be learning the GM ropes with the Texans.
“We are thrilled to have Jason come on board,” Legends president/general manager Malcolm Farmer said. “His resume speaks for itself. He had a tenured NBA career for a reason, and to have him bring that skillset and work ethic to the table is invaluable for our team and staff.”
The Texans open up the 2019-20 season Nov. 8 and 9 with a home-and-home set against the Memphis Hustle.
Twitter: @ESefko
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