Longest careers in NBA historical past, ranked

What LeBron James is doing within the NBA shouldn’t be regular. The 39-year-old, who is not distant from turning 40, is heading into his twenty second season in NBA. James was seen as one of the best prospect in league historical past again in 2003, and he has achieved nothing however reside as much as expectations ever since. The hooper nicknamed the King will tie the NBA file for seasons performed this 12 months, and he’ll achieve this alongside his rookie son, Bronny James.

The father-son duo illustrates simply how unbelievable James’ longevity is, however he is not the one basketball participant to beat Father Time. On this article, we’re going to have a look at the longest careers in NBA historical past relating to whole seasons performed. All of those gamers caught within the NBA for a very long time, however every considered one of them has a special motive why they have been so valued by numerous NBA groups. So, try the gallery under.

Word: * signifies an lively participant who will not formally hit the mark for seasons performed till the 2024 season begins

22 NBA seasons

Gamers: Vince Carter, LeBron James*

This season might be LeBron James’ twenty second within the NBA, however he is not the primary participant to hit that mark. Vince Carter performed on eight completely different groups over the course of twenty-two years. Carter’s longevity is spectacular on quite a lot of fronts. Firstly, Carter performed three seasons in faculty, whereas James got here to the NBA straight out of highschool.

Carter was drafted a 12 months after his youthful cousin, Tracy McGrady, for that very same motive. Moreover, Carter’s longevity is spectacular as a result of he’s most identified for his athletic capacity, however athleticism is not often what makes for an extended NBA profession. With age comes athletic regression, which usually makes IQ, fundamentals, and talent a very powerful traits for older gamers.

Carter is considered one of, if not the best, dunker in NBA historical past. In any case, he was nicknamed “Air Canada” throughout his time with the Toronto Raptors. Do not get it twisted, although; Carter was rather more than only a dunker. He was additionally an elite three-point shooter, and he now ranks ninth in all-time makes from past the arc.

Carter ended his profession in iconic style. The 2020 season was lower brief due to COVID-19, and within the ultimate seconds of what ended up being his final NBA sport, Carter subbed in and knocked down an time beyond regulation three-pointer. Carter is the one participant to play in 4 completely different a long time.

Whereas James will tie Carter’s file this season, he has an opportunity of sticking within the NBA for some time longer. James signed a brand new two-year deal to stay along with his son and the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. He’s already cemented as one of many biggest gamers ever, which implies he might retire at any given second after this season, however it would not be a shock to see James sticking round for years to come back.

The four-time champion remains to be taking part in at an elite stage. Contemplating he averaged 25.7 factors, 7.3 rebounds, and eight.3 assists per sport final 12 months, James remains to be one of many 10 greatest gamers within the NBA, and he hasn’t proven any indicators of slowing down. James longevity is a testomony to his spectacular sturdiness and his out-of-this world body. James merely has the physique kind that provides him an edge over his friends, each when it comes to aggressive benefit and truly staying wholesome sufficient to see courtroom time.

21 NBA seasons

Gamers: Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki

All 4 of the NBA gamers who performed 21 seasons are legendary large males. Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki each have a case because the greatest energy ahead ever, and so they each performed on the similar time. Garnett performed with ruthless aggression, which is why he stuffed the stat sheet throughout his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier than ultimately successful an iconic championship with the Boston Celtics.

Nowitzki revolutionized the sport, popularizing taking pictures from the massive man positions whereas concurrently increasing the sport worldwide as among the best European gamers ever. The 2 energy forwards put up almost an identical resumes throughout their 21 seasons within the league. They each received one championship and one MVP award. Garnett solely made another All-Star Recreation (15) than Nowitzki did.

Robert Parish truly ranks first all time in video games performed. The middle performed in 1,611 whole video games, so not solely did he final within the NBA for a very long time, however he was all the time obtainable. After being part of one of many largest commerce fleeces ever (Parish and Kevin McHale for Joe Barry Carroll), Parish turned the defensive anchor on a Boston Celtics dynasty in the course of the ’80s.

Kevin Willis is the shock identify to have had such an extended NBA profession. Willis was extra of a job participant than a star, as he by no means had a 20 point-per-game season, and he was definitely a journeyman. The 1984 draftee performed for a brand new crew 10 completely different instances, and he was predominantly a backup from 1996 to 2007.

Willis’ longevity, regardless of not being a star, is much more spectacular contemplating he missed the whole lot of his age-26 season with a knee damage and the whole lot of his age-43 season due to retirement. Willis performed till he was 44 years and 224 days previous, making him the second oldest NBA participant ever (trailing Nat Hickey).

20 NBA seasons

Gamers: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Jamal Crawford, Udonis Haslem, Chris Paul*

As soon as the 2024-25 season is underway, Chris Paul will be a part of the elite crop of gamers who performed 20 years price of NBA seasons. Paul might be doing it on a brand new crew, however he has thrived wherever he has suited up. The purpose guard’s stereotypical ground common talent set has been coveted across the league for a very long time, however it is going to be significantly helpful in making certain Victor Wembanyama will get the ball this season.

Whereas the reigning Rookie of the Yr had an exceptional first 12 months within the NBA, and he already appears to be like like a star, the Spurs usually struggled to get him the ball as a lot as they need to have due to poor level guard play. Paul will repair that subject. Whereas Paul is most identified for his facilitating capacity, two gamers who performed 20 NBA seasons are extra identified for placing the ball by the basket. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored greater than everybody not named LeBron, as his 38,387 profession factors rank second in that regard, per NBA.com. His patented sky hook is taken into account by many to be essentially the most unstoppable signature transfer in sports activities historical past.

Kobe Bryant was a reasonably good scorer himself, too. His 33,643 profession factors are the fourth most ever. Bryant received 5 championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, the identical crew that Abdul-Jabbar received 5 rings with (he received a sixth with the Milwaukee Bucks). Rating the best Lakers of all time is a tough process, however these two are definitely up there, and they’re fairly near the highest for all-time NBA gamers total, too.

The opposite two gamers with 20 seasons to their names, Jamal Crawford and Udonis Haslem, weren’t superstars, however they have been nicely revered across the league. Crawford has among the best spotlight reels ever as a result of his unbelievable handles and shot-making prowess. Haslem was considerably of an enforcer, and he spent a superb chunk of his profession as extra of a player-coach of kinds than a participant relied upon to play heavy minutes. Haslem spent his whole profession with the Miami Warmth, and he’s the image excellent instance of what the Warmth tradition is all about.

19 NBA seasons

Gamers: Moses Malone, James Edwards, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Charles Oakley, Shaquille O’Neal, Juwan Howard, Jason Kidd, Tim Duncan, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, Tyson Chandler, Carmelo Anthony, Andre Iguodala, Kyle Lowry*

This season, Kyle Lowry will be a part of the 14 different NBA gamers who performed 19 whole seasons. Lowry was a late bloomer, as he did not catch his stride till his third NBA crew, and he did not make an All-Star Recreation till his age-28 season. Lowry’s later-than-usual emergence led to him having an underrated and spectacular profession. The purpose guard might be taking part in this season with the Philadelphia 76ers.

There may be loads extra expertise from gamers who performed 19 seasons, too. Moses Malone received three MVPs, and Shaquille O’Neal known as the “most dominant” participant ever by many. John Stockton and Karl Malone racked up enormous numbers collectively as a unbelievable duo with the Utah Jazz, and Jason Kidd was a giant numbers man, too, as he was among the best triple-double specialists ever.

Paul Pierce and Carmelo Anthony have been forces scoring the ball, and Tyson Chandler was unbelievable at stopping gamers from scoring the ball. Tim Duncan is even arguably the best energy ahead in league historical past. Even Andre Iguodala was within the league lengthy sufficient to go from famous person on a crew he led to function participant on a dynasty within the Golden State Warriors.

James Edwards, Charles Oakley, and Juwan Howard are the three largest surprises to have lasted that lengthy within the NBA. Edwards by no means made an All-Star Recreation, whereas Oakley and Howard solely made one. Edwards was a dependable low-post scorer, although, and Oakley was the employed gun for lots of various superstars across the league. Howard was maybe extra identified for being part of Michigan’s Fab 5 in faculty, however he clearly had a reasonably spectacular skilled profession as nicely.