In September 2000, Patrick Ewing became the centerpiece of the biggest trade in NBA history, in terms of players exchanged. The four-team, 12-player deal stunned NBA fans, sending Ewing as far away as possible from New York, where the 7-foot center had played his entire career.

But following one season in Seattle, Ewing departed with little fanfare before signing with the Orlando Magic last summer for a fraction of his previous salary.

Ewing wanted to return to the Sonics but after his worst season in the NBA, management removed his $14 million salary to clear space for a younger free agent.

At 39, Ewing is the second-oldest player in the NBA after John Stockton, who was born 132 days earlier. Unlike the Jazz point guard, Ewing has looked every bit his age during his 17th season in the NBA.

Ewing has regressed so much since being voted among the top 50 players in NBA history that he comes off the bench ? behind Andrew DeClercq.

Ewing remains an excellent defensive rebounder. But the touch that made him one of the best shooting big men of all time has disappeared. And Ewing is routinely scored upon by younger, quicker big men.

The Magic sorely needed a big man in the off season, so it offered Ewing and Horace Grant each two-year contracts worth about $4.5 million. Ewing intends to retire after next season.

"Then I move on into the sunset," he said.

But on most nights, the former great looks like he should be playing in a senior-citizen's league.

One of his teammates said it best.

"I'm old," said the 36-year-old Grant. "But I'm not Patrick-Ewing old."