The Oldest NBA Player From Every Season In The Last 30 Years

The NBA is a young man’s game, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for veterans. Veterans and older men have experience behind them on the court but also the intangibles to help make a team better in the locker room. We have collected the oldest NBA player per season over the last 30 years since 1994-95 and until 2023-24 when LeBron James still dominated the court at 39 years old.

1994-95 – Robert Parish (41 Years Old)

Renowned for his reliability, Robert Parish rarely missed games due to injury, earning him the moniker “The Iron Man.” A nine-time NBA All-Star, he dominated the paint with a combination of size, skill, and defensive prowess and he was a factor at 41 years old with the Celtics. 

1995-96 Season – Robert Parish (42 Years Old)

Robert Parish was still the oldest player in the league in the 1996 season at 42 years old. He posted 3.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in 74 appearances (34 starts), and his true presence came in the locker room as a backup big man. 

1996-97 Season – Robert Parish (43 Years Old)

Robert Parish, known as “The Chief,” made history as the oldest NBA player in the 1996-97 season at 43 years old which was his last season in the league. His 21-season career showcased extraordinary longevity, marked by three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics during the 1980s alongside Larry Bird and Kevin McHale. 

1997-98 Season – Charles Jones (41 Years Old)

In the 1997-98 NBA season, Charles Jones was surprisingly the oldest player in the league at 41 years old. Despite not achieving the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, Jones carved out a niche for himself as a reliable defensive specialist throughout his lengthy career. Jones provided valuable veteran leadership to the teams he played for, including the Rockets in 1998.

1998-99 Season – Herb Williams (41 Years Old)

Known for his versatility and durability, Herb Williams had a remarkable career spanning over 18 seasons. His adaptability allowed him to contribute effectively in various roles, from scoring in the paint to defending the rim. The center was the oldest player in the 1999 season despite playing only six games for the New York Knicks.

1999-00 Season – Sam Perkins (39 Years Old)

In the 1999-00 NBA season, Sam Perkins stood out as the league’s oldest player at 39 years old. Known for his smooth shooting stroke and versatility as a forward-center, Perkins enjoyed a distinguished career spanning over 17 seasons. He played 81 games for the Indiana Pacers one season before his last in the league.

2000-01 Season – Sam Perkins (40 Years Old)

Perkins remained the oldest player in the league for the second-straight season in 2001. He played 64 games, started 41 for the Pacers, and averaged 3.8 points per game. This marked the final season for the sharpshooting big man as he called it quits in his 17th season.

2001-02 Season – John Stockton (40 Years Old)

In the 2001-02 NBA season, John Stockton solidified his legacy as one of the greatest point guards in league history, accomplishing the feat of being the oldest player in the NBA at 40 years old. Stockton spent his entire 19-season career with the Utah Jazz and posted 13.4 points and 8.2 assists per game in the 2002 season.

2002-03 Season – John Stockton (41 Years Old)

Stockton played one more season in the NBA in 2003, posting 10.8 points and 7.7 assists per game on 36.3% from three. It was amazing to watch Stockton still lead the offense with the ball in his hands consistently without dropping off in terms of floor leadership. He retired at 41 years old and ended up in the Hall of Fame.

2003-04 Season – Kevin Willis (41 Years Old)

During the 2003-04 NBA season, Kevin Willis made headlines as the league’s oldest player at 41 years old. Willis, known for his imposing physical presence and versatility as a forward-center, enjoyed a remarkable 21-season career in the NBA. His longevity can be attributed to his dedication to fitness and his ability to adapt his game as he aged. Despite entering the twilight of his career, Willis remained a valuable contributor to the Dallas Mavericks.

2004-05 Season – Kevin Willis (42 Years Old)

Kevin Willis continued being the oldest player in the NBA in the 2004-05 season for the Atlanta Hawks when he averaged 3.0 points and 2.6 rebounds per game in only 29 appearances. Willis would briefly retire the following season before returning to the NBA for one more season when he would be the oldest player in the NBA once again.

2005-06 Season – Dikembe Mutombo (40 Years Old)

The four-time Defensive Player of the Year was a shell of his Hall of Fame-worthy self with the Houston Rockets over his final seasons in the league but was always a threat to block shots and protect the rim as a backup center. In 2006, Mutombo averaged 2.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game.

2006-07 Season – Kevin Willis (44 Years Old)

Willis’ final season in the NBA came when the big man was 44 years old which is a dinosaur’s age in professional sports. He only appeared in five games, averaged 8.6 minutes per game, and averaged 2.4 points per game. His veteran presence for the Dallas Mavericks made him a solid bench player in the locker room and in practice more than a consistent contributor on the court.

2007-08 Season – Dikembe Mutombo (42 Years Old)

At 42, Mutombo only appeared in 39 games but was still a contributor whenever he entered the game. He posted 3.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game while still being a natural rim-protector. It also helped that Mutombo was backing up All-Star center Yao Ming and most of the eyes were on the Chinese star in Houston.

2008-09 Season – Dikembe Mutombo (43 Years Old)

In the center’s final season, Dikembe Mutombo was 43 years old and the oldest in the NBA in 2009. The center only appeared in nine games, including two starts, and averaged 1.2 blocks per game. This marked the final time we would see one of the greatest defenders of all time because no player has won more Defensive Player of the Year awards.

2009-10 Season – Lindsey Hunter (39 Years Old)

Veteran point guard Lindsey Hunter was 39 years old in his final NBA season with the Chicago Bulls. Hunter only appeared in 13 games with zero starts, posting 1.0 points and 0.7 assists per game in limited minutes. Hunter had the most success of his career with the Detroit Pistons.

2010-11 Season – Shaquille O’Neal (39 Years Old)

In 2011, Shaquille O’Neal took his talents to the Boston Celtics despite being one of the greatest Los Angeles Lakers players of all time. In O’Neal’s final season, he only played 37 games (with 36 starts) and averaged 9.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game before an Achilles tendon injury effectively ended his NBA career.

2011-12 Season – Juwan Howard (39 Years Old)

Juwan Howard was a veteran on the superteam Miami Heat squad that featured LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Only appearing in 28 games in the season, Howard was mainly a bench player and locker-room presence more than a consistent contributor on the court. Howard managed to win his first NBA championship during the year.

2012-13 Season – Jason Kidd (40 Years Old)

In Hall of Famer Jason Kidd’s final season in the NBA with the New York Knicks, the point guard was the oldest player in the NBA at 40 years old. Kidd posted 6.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game in 76 appearances before calling it quits on a legendary career (mainly with the Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Nets, and Dallas Mavericks).

2013-14 Season – Steve Nash (40 Years Old)

Steve Nash was way past his prime when the Los Angeles Lakers decided to bring in the bonafide Hall of Fame talent to the roster that featured older players Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Metta World Peace. Nash struggled with his back health throughout the season and posted 6.8 points and 5.7 assists per game with only 15 games played. No doubt, the Nash-Lakers experiment proved to be a disaster when it came to expectations.

2014-15 Season – Andre Miller (39 Years Old)

Veteran point guard Andre Miller split time with the Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings in the 2014-15 season, posting 4.4 points and 3.5 assists per game in 15.5 minutes per game. Miller was always effective in moving the ball and being a consistent floor general, even if he was the oldest player in the NBA at 39 years old.

2015-16 Season – Andre Miller (40 Years Old)

Andre Miller was 40 years old in the 2015-16 season, which proved to be his final in the league. He split time with the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs as the oldest player in the NBA and only posted 3.7 points and 2.2 assists per game in limited minutes with both franchises.

2016-17 Season – Vince Carter (40 Years Old)

Vince Carter had an important role in the NBA over his final few seasons. He finished 11th in the Sixth Man of the Year voting, posting 8.0 points per game for the Memphis Grizzlies, and became a spot-up shooter with an average of 37.8% from deep and 73 games played.

2017-18 Season – Vince Carter (41 Years Old)

Carter continued as the oldest player in the league, averaging 5.4 points per game on 34.5% shooting from three in 58 appearances and four starts. Carter was clearly past his best and was not trusted to play major minutes, which is why he only averaged 17.7 minutes per game of action.

2018-19 Season – Vince Carter (42 Years Old)

Somehow, Vince Carter had a bit more life in the league at 42 years old. He appeared in an impressive 76 games with nine starts, averaging 7.4 points per game on 38.9% shooting from three. The former Dunk Contest champion occupied the power forward position due to his floor-spacing ability.

2019-20 Season – Vince Carter (43 Years Old)

In Carter’s final season, he was 43 years old and the oldest player in the league. He averaged 5.0 points per game on 30.2% shooting from three but it was clear that Carter was no longer capable of being trusted to play at least 15 minutes per game and he called it quits on a legendary career.

2020-21 Season – Udonis Haslem (41 Years Old)

Udonis Haslem only appeared in one game during the season, but was 37 years old and the oldest player in the league. Haslem’s true presence came in the locker room because he had three NBA championships and was a glue guy for Miami Heat culture.

2021-22 Season – Udonis Haslem (42 Years Old)

Haslem was 42 years old at some point during the 2021-22 season and the oldest in the NBA. He only appeared in 13 games but was mainly a player-coach as a bench player. He was Erik Spoelstra’s right-hand man for keeping the Heat culture and did a tremendous job of doing so.

2022-23 Season – Udonis Haslem (43 Years Old)

Despite being a player-coach for the Miami Heat and having a security guard-like presence on the roster, Udonis Haslem was 43 years old in the league and was still collecting checks. Haslem averaged 3.9 points per game in only six appearances, before retiring as a Heat legend.

2023-24 Season – LeBron James (39 Years Old)

LeBron James was the oldest player in the NBA this season and still competed as a top 10 talent. He averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game for the Los Angeles Lakers, leading the team to the playoffs. No player other than Nikola Jokic has the basketball IQ that James has right now and we are counting down the final seasons before Father Time finally defeats The King. 

Credit for idea: NBA Debate