NBA: Top 5 Most Valuable Veterans

During every offseason, teams focus on adding fresh young blood into their rosters. Of course, youngsters are what great teams are built on. Get ‘em young and the possibilities are endless.

However a team filled with youngsters isn’t enough for it to make a mark. However talented they might be, one always needs veterans either for their experience, wisdom, or simply to cool down locker room egos. The NBA is as equally filled with declining veterans pushing late 30s as it is with burgeoning youngsters. In this article, we take a look at the top 5 most valuable veterans in the league.

Now, when I say most valuable it’s in regard to how much each veteran contributes to their team, or in other words, how much a team depends on that particular veteran and not how talented the player is. So if the team depends almost entirely on a particular veteran, he’ll be nearer to the top. If they have another player to shoulder the weight, but this guy still plays a major role, he’ll be closer to the bottom.

5. Kevin Garnett; PF/C, Brooklyn Nets; Age: 37

KG’s still got it, even after 18 years in the NBA. One of the most intense power forwards in the league, Garnett still has enough left in his tank to make an impact on whatever team he plays for, which right now, is the deep-pocketed Brooklyn Nets.

While Garnett was one of the most important players on the Celtics roster, one has to agree that he no longer remains so at Brooklyn. He will no longer be the player everyone looks to get the ball to when it comes to inside the paint, nor will he be the most dominating defensive presence around the rim. Both those titles go to the budding youngster, All-Star Brook Lopez.

However, that is not to say that Garnett will no longer be looked up to. He’s a former NBA Champion, NBA MVP and a 15 time All-Star. He will be the mentor to everyone else, as well as being the no. 2 guy in the frontcourt. And he will also play a vital role in shaping up Lopez’s game.