Entering the twilight of a basketball career isn't defined by a single moment. For most players, especially stars, this transition is gradual — either accepted smoothly, resisted by clinging to smaller roles, or culminating in fading into basketball irrelevancy.
But there are stars who can accept the fact that new kids are taking over. That was the case when Candace Parker joined the Las Vegas Aces in 2023 and realized A'Ja Wilson got next.
There are stages in a player's career where they have a different mindset, depending on their ability and the circumstances. Parker described it as "arc of humility."
"When you're young and brash, your humble meter is low, probably. You think you can do anything. Middle of your career, you start figuring out the game. You understand who you are. You still think you can do whatever and you still can be the best. The end of your career — I think that really determines what you're gonna be like. Are you going to choose to be humble and honest in looking at yourself and what you're capable of? Or are you going to continue to live in this facade of what was?" she said on All The Smoke podcast.
Coming to the defending champions Aces after having one of the most decorated and respected careers in WNBA history, Parker took on a smaller role before her season was cut short as she underwent surgery for a foot fracture — an injury she had played through for a period of time.
Meanwhile, Wilson was coming off an MVP season, looking to repeat. And although she didn't win the award, there was no doubt she was the leader of the stacked Aces team and arguably the best player in the league.
" Aces made me realize that I am so much more than basketball. But also made me realize that I'm not the Allen Iverson that can go play a role on the Detroit Pistons," Parker said.
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Parker admitted it was not enjoyable for her to play basketball without being the team's primary ball handler. She also didn't want to prolong her career just for the sake of it and in the process make everyone around her miserable. Being on the sidelines was enough.
"That was the 'Aha' moment where I was like, A'ja is getting busy, she's MVP. I'm like — she's got years to come. I want to help her grow in that way and be a support system. So sitting on the sideline watching 2023 championship, I was super happy because of the great people that I was a part of it with ," she said.​
Despite her shortened season and not playing in the playoffs, Parker earned her third WNBA championship. And while she is aware that some could put an asterisk next to that title run, that doesn't take away the other things she got out of it.
"I think it taught me just as much as the other two championships. I think it taught me I'm okay in this life. I'm okay with what I have done to move forward with that mindset and it's okay to leave that behind ," she concluded.
As one of the greatest to ever play the game, Parker's legacy is undeniable. Choosing not to risk tarnishing it is a decision that isn't always easy, but one she ultimately made.
Parker retired in 2024 and has since dedicated her time to being a successful NBA and WNBA analyst.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jan 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
