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Top 5 oldest NBA players in 2024-25 NBA season

Age is just a number. Just ask Boston Celtics center Al Horford who won an NBA championship last season when he was 38 years old.

While teams continue to draft younger players (sometimes players who are still in their teens), having a seasoned veteran on the roster has been a key ingredient for championship sides over the past few decades. Experienced players understand the nuances of the league and are also valuable assets when it comes to developing younger prospects and fringe players.

The oldest player to take the court in the an NBA game was center Kevin Willis who retired after the 2006-07 season at the age of 44.

Al Horford remains one of the league's senior members, but there are a handful of active players who are older than the Dominican big man. We take a look at the five oldest players who are set to take the court in the 2024-25 season.

Top 5 oldest NBA players in 2024-25 NBA season

#5. Kyle Lowry, 38 years and 210 days

Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry in action against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Photo Credit: Imagn
Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry in action against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Photo Credit: Imagn

Kyle Lowry is preparing for his 19th season in the league and doesn't seem to be losing any steam. The talented point guard was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers team that went to the playoffs last season. He played in six postseason games and averaged 29.2 minutes per game.

Over his NBA career, Lowry has played for five different organizations and put together an impressive resume. The Philadelphia native is a six-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2016. He has won a championship with the Toronto Raptors and was a member of the 2016 USA Olympic team that won the gold in Rio de Janeiro.

Lowry has also had his jersey retired by Villanova University.

#4. Taj Gibson, 39 years and 119 days

Gibson impressed during his time at the University of Southern California and was selected in the first round by the Chicago Bulls in the 2009 NBA Draft. After eight seasons with the Bulls, the power forward was traded to the OKC Thunder in 2017. Gibson has bounced around the league and the Charlotte Hornets player is preparing to take the court for his seventh different franchise this season.

Over his career, Gibson has racked up 965 regular-season games and has a career average of 8.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

#3. Chris Paul, 39 years and 168 days

San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul dribbles against Utah Jazz guard Johnny Juzang at Frost Bank Center. Photo Credit: Imagn
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul dribbles against Utah Jazz guard Johnny Juzang at Frost Bank Center. Photo Credit: Imagn

The 6-foot point guard made an immediate impact when he was drafted into the league in 2005 and he continues to performance at a high level year after year. Chris Paul was named the Rookie of the Year in 2006. Since then, he has gone on to be named to the All-Star team on 12 occasions. Paul has also been selected to the All-NBA First Team four times and the All-NBA Second Team five times.

Paul led the NBA in assists in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015 and 2022. He ranks third all-time behind only John Stockton and Jason Kidd with 11,894 assists.

The former Wake Forest star is preparing for his 20th season in the league with the San Antonio Spurs.

#2. P.J. Tucker, 39 years and 169 days

Where P.J. Tucker will be playing basketball during the 2024-25 season remains unclear but the veteran is working with the Los Angeles Clippers to resolve his situation. After a falling out with the organization last season, NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Oct. 6 that both parties were working on a resolution.

Tucker has bounced around the league since making his debut in 2006 and has even had stints in the professional leagues in Israel, Ukraine, Greece, Italy, Puerto Rico and Germany.

The forward has played 883 games with seven different NBA organizations and is set to feature in his 14th season in the league.

Tucker was a member of the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks team that went on to win the championship.

#1. LeBron James, 39 years and 296 days

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Photo Credit: Imagn
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Photo Credit: Imagn

LeBron James has set the standard when it comes to fitness and health. James may be the oldest player in the league, but he continues to dominate and put up tremendous numbers.

James entered the league straight out of high school and is now preparing for his 22nd season. Over that strech, the Ohio native has won four championships with three different organizations, four MVP crowns and three Olympic gold medals. He is a 20-time All-Star and has been selected to the All-NBA First Team 13 times.

The LA Lakers superstar was also named the AP Male Athlete of the year in 2013, 2016, 2018 and 2020.

LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time points leader. He has racked up a whopping 40,474 points over his career, and will continue to add to that total this season.

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