It wasn’t always smooth sailing for the Denver Nuggets. Before they became a Western Conference powerhouse, they had their fair share of low points—and in those gritty, overlooked seasons, a few names quietly laid the groundwork. One of them was Will Barton. The high-flying wingman spent eight solid years in Denver, clocking 479 games—10th most in franchise history. He wasn’t the flashiest, but man, Barton was the kind of player who gave Denver that extra edge, especially when no one was watching.

Fast forward to this week, and the news hit differently. Barton made it official—he’s calling it a career. Fans didn’t hold back. “Will Barton leaves a lasting legacy in Denver, especially with those three-pointers. Cheers to an incredible career and new beginnings ahead!” one fan posted on social media, summing up the mood just right. You could feel the respect pouring in from all corners.

Notably, Barton made the announcement during an episode of the NoKutKards Podcast, sharing, “I want to announce that I will be retiring and no longer playing professional basketball.” And the numbers? They speak for themselves. Barton posted career averages of 14 points, 5 boards, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting a respectable 43.8% from the field. He also drilled 804 threes—fourth-most in Nuggets history. Beyond Denver, he also spent time in Portland, D.C., Toronto, and even dipped into the international hoops scene.

Barton entered the league as the 40th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and spent over a decade grinding it out with stops in Portland and Denver. In 679 career games, he put up a respectable 11.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per night. On top of that, he hit 43.0% from the field and knocked down 35.5% from beyond the arc. No flash, just real consistency.

Still, walking away wasn’t easy. Barton got real about it, admitting, “It’s been hard already… Basketball, you know, is all I did. My whole life. Forever.” That kind of honesty hit home for anyone who’s ever had to step away from something they love.

In the end, Barton may have left Denver a year too soon—just before they lifted their first-ever NBA title. But his legacy? It’s cemented. He helped set the stage. And Denver won’t forget that.

Will Barton signing off with a heartfelt message

The 2022-23 season marked his final run, suiting up for the Wizards and Raptors before slipping off the radar. Then came the overseas journey—a quick tour through Spain, China, and Puerto Rico with teams like Covirán Granada and the Guangdong Southern Tigers. But after nearly two years out of the league spotlight, Barton has officially called it a career at 34.

On Wednesday night, Barton took to Instagram to share the big news. “13 years pro. 11 years in the NBA. Man, where did the time go? Crazy when I was, young I never seen the end in my vision. But here we are. Man, what a time I promise it was everything I dreamed of plus way more,” he wrote. Then came the gratitude: “GOD thank you for taking me on this amazing journey & blessing me with not only a talent but a vision & faith.”

Moreover, he made sure to recognize every step and soul along the way. “Thanks to everyone who helped me at any stage or was apart of this ride at any point. Close or not close, you were needed & I appreciate you. I pray I gave others hope & inspired some,” Barton expressed. “Ups & downs, it was all worth it & this game gave me purpose. I look forward to the next chapter in my life.”

However, Barton expressed he will be fine without hoping and ready for the next step in his life and career. “& I know that because of you basketball I’ll be ok because you taught me to never give up & keep fighting. Thank you to the greatest game ever. Thanks for changing my life forever & giving me something to believe in. I will always love you & remember everything you taught me. Cheers…to the game forever!” he added.

And with one last line that hit just right: “Damn, we really did it huh…still surreal even though we planned it… Thrill you did that shorty no doubt!” 

Happy retirement Will Barton!!