Age is just a number.
But if you're an NBA player, it's probably better for that number to be smaller. It's tougher for players to truly make an impact as they progress into their late 30s and early 40s. That doesn't mean it can't be done, though.
Several star players are inches closer toward the next decade of their lives. Some have felt that impact on the court, while others are defying Father Time.
Here's a breakdown of the oldest NBA players for the 2023-24 season and in league history:
Get top local stories in Philly delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC Philadelphia's News Headlines newsletter.
Who is the oldest player in the NBA this season?
Udonis Haslem held the title last season, but he retired in July after 20 years with the Miami Heat.
Andre Iguodala was set to become the oldest active NBA player, but the four-time NBA champion officially retired just before the season began.
NBA
So, taking Haslem and Iguodala out of the equation, that leaves LeBron James as the oldest NBA player on a roster entering the 2023-24 season. The four-time league MVP will turn 39 in December as he enters his 21st season. James showed no signs of slowing down last season, averaging 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists while breaking the NBA's all-time scoring record in February.
Here are the 10 oldest active NBA players who are on rosters entering the 2023-24 season, with their birth dates listed:
- LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers: Dec. 30, 1984
- P.J. Tucker, Philadelphia 76ers: May 5, 1985
- Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors: May 6, 1985
- Taj Gibson, Washington Wizards: June 24, 1985
- Kyle Lowry, Miami Heat: March 25, 1986
- Garrett Temple, Toronto Raptors: May 8, 1986
- Al Horford, Boston Celtics: June 3, 1986
- Rudy Gay, Golden State Warriors: Aug. 17, 1986
- Jeff Green, Houston Rockets: Aug. 28, 1986
- Wesley Matthews, Atlanta Hawks: Oct. 14, 1986
Who is the oldest player in NBA history?
No active player is close to being the oldest player in NBA history.
That title belongs to Nat Hickey, who played two games for the Providence Steamrollers way back in 1948 when he was nearly 46 years old. He was the coach of that team but turned himself into a player after the team got off to a 4-25 start to the season. In his two NBA games (both losses), Hickey scored two points and committed five fouls.
Here are the 10 oldest players to suit up in an NBA game:
- Nat Hickey, Providence Steamrollers, 1948: 45 years and 363 days
- Kevin Willis, Dallas Mavericks, 2007: 44 years and 224 days
- Robert Parish, Chicago Bulls, 1997: 43 years and 254 days
- Vince Carter, Atlanta Hawks, 2020: 43 years and 45 days
- Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat, 2023: 42 years and 363 days
- Dikembe Mutombo, Houston Rockets, 2009: 42 years and 300 days
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers, 1989: 42 years and 58 days
- Bob Cousy, Cincinnati Royals, 1970: 41 years and 150 days
- Herb Williams, New York Knicks, 1999: 41 years and 129 days
- John Stockton, Utah Jazz, 2003: 41 years and 35 days
