Chris Paul’s retirement just before the All-Star break quietly closed another chapter in NBA history. With his exit, the 2005 draft class is officially finished, and the league’s generational turnover becomes even more stark. Only 19 players drafted between 2003 and 2010 remain active in the NBA, a remarkable reminder of how quickly eras disappear.
– 2003 NBA Draft: LeBron James
– 2004 NBA Draft: 0 (Andre Igoudala retired in 2023)
– 2005 NBA Draft: 0 (Chris Paul retired in 2026)
– 2006 NBA Draft: Kyle Lowry
– 2007 NBA Draft: Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Al Horford, Mike Conley
– 2008 NBA Draft: Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Eric Gordon, Brook Lopez, Nicolas Batum, DeAndre Jordan
– 2009 NBA Draft: James Harden, Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday, Garrett Temple, Joe Ingles
– 2010 NBA Draft: Paul George
It starts, of course, with the 2003 NBA Draft and one singular name: LeBron James. Now in his 23rd season, James stands alone from his class after Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade stepped away in recent years. He is not just the last man standing from 2003; he is the defining figure of that entire generation, still producing at age 41 while the rest of his peers have long retired.
The 2004 NBA Draft is officially extinct. Andre Iguodala, its final active representative, retired in 2023, closing the book on a class that once included Dwight Howard and Shaun Livingston. With Paul’s departure, the 2005 NBA Draft joins it in history. That group produced Paul, Deron Williams, and Andrew Bynum, but it now has zero active players.
From 2006, only Kyle Lowry remains. A late bloomer who became a champion and six-time All-Star, Lowry has survived roster overhauls and physical wear to extend his career into a third decade. His longevity mirrors the toughness that defined his prime.
The 2007 NBA Draft still carries serious star power. Kevin Durant continues to perform at an elite level, while Al Horford remains a valuable two-way big. Mike Conley and Jeff Green round out the group, both respected veterans who have adapted their roles to stay relevant. That class, once headlined by Greg Oden’s unfortunate injury story, has aged better than expected.
The 2008 NBA Draft may be the deepest among the remaining survivors. Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Eric Gordon, Brook Lopez, Nicolas Batum, and DeAndre Jordan are all still active. Lopez, in particular, has reinvented himself as a floor-spacing rim protector, extending his shelf life well beyond what many predicted. Westbrook and Love, former franchise cornerstones, now operate in supporting roles.
The 2009 NBA Draft remains loaded with impact players. Stephen Curry and James Harden are still offensive engines. DeMar DeRozan and Jrue Holiday continue to play high-level basketball, while Garrett Temple and Joe Ingles have carved out long careers as respected locker room leaders and specialists. Curry, especially, stands as the transformative figure of his era, redefining how the game is played.
Finally, from the 2010 NBA Draft, Paul George is the lone active representative. Injuries have challenged him, but his two-way skill set has allowed him to remain a high-level contributor.
Nineteen names across eight drafts. That is it.
In a league now dominated by players born in the late 1990s and early 2000s, this shrinking group represents the last living bridge to the mid-2000s NBA. With Paul gone, the attrition is accelerating. LeBron James remains the constant, but even his run cannot last forever.
When he finally steps away, the 2000s era will officially close.
