English
Español
Oldest players in the NBA: Where LeBron James, Stephen Curry rank among veterans for 2025-26 season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
In professional sports, it is impossible to quantify the importance of experience. That is especially true in the NBA.
While a veteran presence in the locker room has always been invaluable, the league's older players have become much more than that in recent years. The extent of LeBron James' sustained greatness may be an outlier, but he's one of many veterans who are still counted on to make nightly contributions at an elite level.
James leads the list, but the group of the oldest players set to take an NBA floor in 2025-26 does not stop there. It's a who's who of familiar faces, former All-Stars and future Hall of Famers.
Here's a full look at the 20 oldest NBA players for the 2025-26 season, listed in order by their age on opening night.
MORE: Ultimate guide to watching NBA games on NBC, ESPN, and Amazon in 2025-26
1. LeBron James, Lakers
- Age at start of season: 40 years, 295 days
- Birthday: Dec. 30, 1984
The 2025-26 season is Year 23 for No. 23, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. More than just a typical 40-year-old veteran, LeBron James is coming off on an All-NBA campaign and is playing alongside his son for a second year.
MORE: Meet LeBron James' family, including teammate son and entrepreneurial wife
2. Chris Paul, Clippers
- Age at start of season: 40 years, 168 days
- Birthday: May 6, 1985
Chris Paul, the No. 4 pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, is in his 21st season. He's redefined longevity for a point guard, as the 6-footer continues to make his presence felt despite being deemed undersized by many.
MORE:Chris Paul chooses Clippers over Lakers in free agency
3. Taj Gibson, Timberwolves
- Age at the start of the season: 40 years, 119 days
- Birthday: June 24, 1985
Gibson wasn't on an NBA roster at the start of the 2025-2026 season. After the Minnesota Timberwolves agreed to a buyout with Kyle Anderson, they signed the 40-year-old Gibson to a two-year deal. He was most recently with the Charlotte Hornets and played 37 games for the franchise in the 2024-2025 season.
4. Kyle Lowry, 76ers
- Age at start of season:: 39 years, 210 days
- Birthday: March 25, 1986
Kyle Lowry is part of the exclusive three-man club of players with 20-plus years of NBA service to take the floor in 2025-26. Even better for him, he's spending the final days of his career in his hometown.
MORE: Why Kyle Lowry is among the four members of Toronto's GOAT mountain of sports
5. Garrett Temple, Raptors
- Age at start of season: 39 years, 166 days
- Birthday: May 8, 1986
Garrett Temple was undrafted out of LSU, but he has carved a career for himself as the consummate teammate and locker room presence. He continues that in his 16th season on the court.
MORE:What to know about NBA overtime rules
6. Al Horford, Warriors
- Age at start of season: 39 years, 140 days
- Birthday: June 3, 1986
Al Horford is yet another veteran who will be counted on to make an impact on a team with title aspirations. The third pick in the 2007 NBA Draft is in Year 19 and will turn 40 during the 2026 Finals.
MORE:Which NBA teams have won the most championships?
7. Jeff Green, Rockets
- Age at start of season: 39 years, 54 days
- Birthday: Aug. 28, 1986
For perspective, Jeff Green is one of just two active NBA players who suited up for the Seattle SuperSonics. The other is his draft classmate, who also lands lower on the list.
MORE: Revisiting the SuperSonics' 2008 relocation to Oklahoma City
8. Joe Ingles, Timberwolves
- Age at start of season: 38 years, 19 days
- Birthday: Oct. 2, 1987
Joe Ingles didn't officially begin his NBA journey until the age of 27, but 12 seasons later, he's still an invaluable presence. He's still shown the ability to make an impact when called upon, too.
MORE:How does the NBA Draft work?
9. Mike Conley Jr., Timberwolves
- Age at start of season: 38 years, 10 days
- Birthday: Oct. 11, 1987
The 2007 NBA Draft class is well represented in 2025-26, as Mike Conley was the fourth overall pick that year. He's been a steady force at point guard throughout his career and looks to cap things off with a title.
MORE:Complete guide to the NBA Draft Lottery
10. Stephen Curry, Warriors
- Age at start of season: 37 years, 221 days
- Birthday: March 14, 1988
Stephen Curry is another all-time great who lands on this list. He's not just playing in his 17th NBA season; he's starring in it by dominating at an All-NBA level and reminding the world he is the greatest shooter ever to touch a basketball.
MORE: How Stephen Curry set the standard with NBA 3-point contest record
11. Brook Lopez, Clippers
- Age at start of season: 37 years, 203 days
- Birthday: April 1, 1988
Make it 18 years for Brook Lopez, who redefined his game eight years in. After making just three 3-pointers in his first eight seasons, Lopez became one of the best stretch bigs the game has ever seen, draining over 1,000 shots since. That adaptability has allowed him to make it to 18 seasons.
MORE:Brook Lopez looks back at his time with the Bucks
12. Kevin Love, Jazz
- Age at start of season: 37 years, 44 days
- Birthday: Sept. 7, 1988
Kevin Love was the fifth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and has racked up the accolades throughout his 18 years. He's now taken on the role of locker room veteran who can contribute when called upon.
MORE:Most points in an NBA Finals game
13. Kevin Durant, Rockets
- Age at start of season: 37 years, 22 days
- Birthday: Sept. 29, 1988
The No. 2 pick from the 2007 NBA Draft is still playing at an all-league level. He signed a contract extension as the 2025-26 season began, so Kevin Durant isn't going anywhere anytime soon, keeping the legacy of the SuperSonics alive while he's at it.
MORE: Complete history of Kevin Durant's NBA career, from Thunder years to Rockets trade
14. Russell Westbrook, Kings
- Age at start of season: 36 years, 343 days
- Birthday: Nov. 12, 1988
Russell Westbrook was the No. 4 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and was the 2017 NBA MVP. Now, he's in Year 18 in the league and has made it clear the end isn't on the horizon just yet.
MORE: Why Russell Westbrook signed with Kings for 18th NBA season
15. Nicolas Batum, Clippers
- Age at start of season: 36 years, 311 days
- Birthday: Dec. 14, 1988
Nicolas Batum is yet another 18-year veteran who has carved a role for himself as a dependable force. He's been impactful at every stop and can still be called upon when needed.
MORE:How does NBA free agency work?
16. Eric Gordon, 76ers
- Age at start of season: 36 years, 300 days
- Birthday: Dec. 25, 1988
It's Year 18 for Eric Gordon, who entered the season as one of two veteran mainstays in the Philadelphia locker room. He's worn many hats in his NBA career and can still shoot the rock in his late 30s.
MORE:Every NBA team's biggest draft regret
17. DeMar DeRozan, Kings
- Age at start of season: 36 years, 75 days
- Birthday: Aug. 7, 1989
If you're reading this, an NBA player just bit for a DeMar DeRozan pump fake. In his 17th NBA season, DeRozan is still playing his game and doing so at a high level. He's one of just 27 NBA players with more than 25,000 career points, and he stands to move up the list in 2025-26.
MORE:DeMar DeRozan opens up on mental health struggles
18. James Harden, Clippers
- Age at start of season: 36 years, 56 days
- Birthday: Aug. 26, 1989
James Harden is in his third season with his hometown Clippers, and Year 2 was one for the books. The former MVP reminded fans what he's capable of, earning All-Star and All-NBA honors in Year 16. He'll look to do more of the same in Year 17.
MORE: Where James Harden ranks among the greatest Thunder players ever
19. Jimmy Butler III, Warriors
- Age at start of season: 36 years, 37 days
- Birthday: Sept. 14, 1989
Jimmy Butler went from junior college standout to Marquette star to the last pick in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft. He's now carved a career for himself as an NBA star, a role he's carried into his 15th season in the league.
MORE:Every Game 7 in NBA Finals history
20. Klay Thompson, Mavericks
- Age at start of season: 35 years, 255 days
- Birthday: Feb. 8, 1990
One of the greatest shooters of all time, Klay Thompson is still causing defenses to aggressively close out. Devastating injuries have been setbacks, but Thompson has overcome them as he takes the floor for his age-36 season.
MORE: The complete list of best single-game 3-point shooting performances in the NBA
21. Draymond Green, Warriors
- Age at start of season: 35 years, 231 days
- Birthday: March 4, 1990
Draymond Green is one of the greatest second-round picks and one of the greatest defenders the game has ever seen. He's been the engine that keeps the Warriors going since joining the league in 2012, and he's still doing it in his 14th season.