Richard Jefferson was popping champagne when he announced that his 15-season NBA career was over. That’s the way to do it.

The Cavaliers forward played a huge role in the 2016 NBA Finals and has decided to end his career that way. The 35-year-old has made nearly $110 million in player salary alone over his career, so you can’t blame him.

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Jefferson boasts career averages of 13.3 points and 4.2 rebounds a game, but in his peak with the New Jersey Nets, he topped 22 points a game twice. He was an instrumental part of consecutive NBA Finals trips with the Nets in his first two seasons, 2002 and 2003.

His retirement came in the best way, after the Cavs beat the Warriors 93-89 in Game 7 in Oakland.

Richard Jefferson says he's retiring. "Hell of a way to go out." — Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) June 20, 2016

Jefferson retirement announcement came out of the blue during interview while he was drinking Moët. I confirmed "for real, you're done?" — Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) June 20, 2016

Among the best players in NBA history not to make a single All-Star Game, Jefferson must feel vindicated finally getting that elusive ring. The Nets lost those two series, to the Lakers and Spurs.

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But he averaged 24.0 minutes a game in this year's Finals, including starting two games in place of Kevin Love (concussion). His contributions were immense; he averaged 5.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in the Cavs’ wins during their historic comeback.

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Mostly, the Arizona alumnus will be remembered as an athletic small forward who fit the role perfectly and stepped into increasingly bigger roles over the years for the Nets. Late in his career, he honed his 3-pointer and became a valuable and versatile contributor off the bench. And he could still throw down, as he reminded us in the Eastern Conference finals.

Jefferson had one of those careers that would be easy to take for granted. Now he’s got the hardware he always wanted.