Back to the trend of the day: LeBron James plays his first regular-season game for the Philadelphia 76ers tonight

Poly Rating · from the trend of the day

Oldest NBA Players Ever: Top 10 Longest Careers (2026)

LeBron James averaged 20.9 points at age 41, then his salary dropped from $52.6 million to $3.9 million as he started a record 24th season with the 76ers.

No. 1: LeBron James
10 places
Current as of October 20, 2026, 17:35 EDT

01Final list

The leading AIs each built their own list of ten independently. Here is one result that is easy to check: every place has a reason, a source, and the list of AIs that included it.

Order: from most to least AI agreement.

A bright badge means this AI put the entry on its list. A dim badge means it did not.

1
LeBron James
Record 23 seasons done and a 24th underway. At 41 he still had 5.4 Win Shares on 27.2% usage, then his pay fell from $52.6M to $3.9M.
Included it: Claude, ChatGPT, Meta, Grok, Gemini, Kimi. Did not include: Wenxin.
In their lists: Claude: 1 · ChatGPT: 1 · Meta: 1 · Grok: 1 · Gemini: 1 · Kimi: 1
What each AI noted 6
- Claudeplace 1
  At 38 to 41 he kept a usage rate of 27 to 33% with a True Shooting % between .583 and .630, and a Box Plus/Minus above 5.5 in three of the four seasons.
  Source ↗
- ChatGPTplace 1
  At 41, he is entering season 24; the longevity record comes with a historically large minutes burden, while his 2026–27 listed salary is $3,876,529.
  Source ↗
- Metaplace 1
  23 seasons now most ever, 56,598 minutes before 38, then 20.9 ppg at 40 on $53.9M and now $3.9M at 41 with 76ers debut tonight vs Knicks
  Source ↗
- Grokplace 1
  Starting a record 24th season at age 41 after averaging 20.9 points in 2025-26
  Source ↗
- Geminiplace 1
  Defied physiological history by logging over 56,000 pre-age-38 minutes while continuing to post a 5.0+ BPM and command a maximum $50M+ salary into season 22.
  Source ↗
- Kimiplace 1
  20.9 ppg at 41 — double Kareem's old age-41 record — after 60,000 career minutes, then took a $48.7M pay cut to chase a title in Philadelphia.
  Source ↗
6 AIs put it here
Source ↗
2
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Only 20 seasons, but the best single late season here: 10.8 Win Shares and All-NBA First Team at 38, after 57,446 career minutes.
Included it: Claude, ChatGPT, Meta, Grok, Gemini, Kimi. Did not include: Wenxin.
In their lists: Claude: 2 · ChatGPT: 5 · Meta: 2 · Grok: 7 · Gemini: 2 · Kimi: 2
What each AI noted 6
- Claudeplace 2
  At 38 he produced 10.8 Win Shares and a BPM of 5.4 in 2,629 minutes, and he was still a starter at 41.
  Source ↗
- ChatGPTplace 5
  The 41-year-old played 20 seasons and remained productive late: NBA.com notes he averaged 22 points per game in 1984–85 as the league’s oldest player.
- Metaplace 2
  1,846 points at 38 in 1985-86 still most ever for age 38, 20 seasons with skyhook
  Source ↗
- Grokplace 7
  20 seasons and still productive at age 41 with double-digit scoring
  Source ↗
- Geminiplace 2
  Anchored the Showtime Lakers through age 42 across 57,446 minutes, winning Finals MVP at 38 and delivering 273.4 all-time Win Shares.
  Source ↗
- Kimiplace 2
  All-NBA First Team at 38 and an NBA Finals game at 42 years, 58 days — the standard LeBron is chasing.
  Source ↗
6 AIs put it here
Source ↗
3
Vince Carter
Held the record at 22 seasons until LeBron. After 38 his usage fell to about 15%, his best season was 4.0 Win Shares, and his pay ran $2.4M–$8M.
Included it: Claude, ChatGPT, Meta, Grok, Gemini, Kimi. Did not include: Wenxin.
In their lists: Claude: 4 · ChatGPT: 2 · Meta: 4 · Grok: 2 · Gemini: 6 · Kimi: 7
What each AI noted 6
- Claudeplace 4
  The only player with 22 seasons played about 7,100 minutes after 38, with a usage rate that fell to 15% and an average pay far below what the early years had brought.
  Source ↗
- ChatGPTplace 2
  He retired at 43 after 22 seasons, making longevity itself the achievement; his final seasons were role-player years rather than a sustained star workload.
  Source ↗
- Metaplace 4
  22 seasons across 4 decades, 46,367 minutes, shifted to 50% threes at 34 in Dallas
  Source ↗
- Grokplace 2
  First to reach 22 seasons and played until age 43 as a role player
  Source ↗
- Geminiplace 6
  Transformed from athletic icon into four-decade bench sniper over an NBA-record 22 seasons, retiring at 43 on veteran minimum deals.
  Source ↗
- Kimiplace 7
  The most seasons ever played (22) after the most reinvention — from franchise dunker to respected 3-and-D role player on eight teams.
  Source ↗
6 AIs put it here
Source ↗
More about the top three ↓
4
Robert Parish
21 seasons and 1,611 games. He had 7.4 Win Shares at 38, and a late move to Chicago won him a ring at 43. Some sources count 20 seasons.
Included it: Claude, ChatGPT, Meta, Grok, Gemini, Kimi. Did not include: Wenxin.
In their lists: Claude: 3 · ChatGPT: 3 · Meta: 3 · Grok: 3 · Gemini: 5 · Kimi: 9
What each AI noted 6
- Claudeplace 3
  He produced 7.4 Win Shares at 38 with a True Shooting % of .571, and then moved to Charlotte and Chicago, reaching age 43.
  Source ↗
- ChatGPTplace 3
  His 21 seasons ended at age 43; he combined exceptional duration with a substantial late-career role, though season totals cannot by themselves price the physical cost.
  Source ↗
- Metaplace 3
  1,611 games record, 21 seasons, final game 43y254d with Bulls in 1997
  Source ↗
- Grokplace 3
  Played 21 seasons and holds the record for most games played at 1,611
  Source ↗
- Geminiplace 5
  Played until age 43 across a record 1,611 regular-season games, completing 21 seasons with a fourth championship ring on the 1996-97 Bulls.
  Source ↗
- Kimiplace 9
  The oldest player ever to win an NBA championship — 43 years, 254 days, as the Bulls' fourth big in 1997.
  Source ↗
6 AIs put it here
Source ↗
5
Dirk Nowitzki
21 seasons with one team. He was paid a reported $25M at 38 for 2.5 Win Shares and was down to 795 minutes by 40.
Included it: Claude, ChatGPT, Meta, Grok, Gemini, Kimi. Did not include: Wenxin.
In their lists: Claude: 5 · ChatGPT: 6 · Meta: 5 · Grok: 5 · Gemini: 4 · Kimi: 8
What each AI noted 6
- Claudeplace 5
  At 38 he was paid $25M (reported) on a usage rate of 25.8%, and by 40 he was down to 795 minutes.
  Source ↗
- ChatGPTplace 6
  His 21-season run ended at 40, but the very long career’s final stretch was constrained by injuries and sharply reduced availability.
  Source ↗
- Metaplace 5
  21 seasons with one team Dallas, franchise leader points, rebounds, blocks, still 50/40 shooter late
  Source ↗
- Grokplace 5
  21 seasons all with one team, remaining a starter deep into his career
  Source ↗
- Geminiplace 4
  Spent all 21 seasons and 51,368 minutes with Dallas, preserving an above-average 54.5% TS% into his 40s while taking voluntary multi-million pay cuts.
  Source ↗
- Kimiplace 8
  Twenty-one seasons, one team — and he took repeated pay cuts so Dallas could keep building around him.
  Source ↗
6 AIs put it here
Source ↗
6
Kevin Willis
21 seasons on many teams. He played at 44 years, 224 days: 5 games and 43 minutes for Dallas. One source counts 23 seasons.
Included it: Claude, ChatGPT, Meta, Grok, Gemini, Kimi. Did not include: Wenxin.
In their lists: Claude: 8 · ChatGPT: 4 · Meta: 7 · Grok: 6 · Gemini: 8 · Kimi: 10
What each AI noted 6
- Claudeplace 8
  He was the second-oldest player to appear in a game (44 years, 224 days), with 5 minutes in 2006-07.
  Source ↗
- ChatGPTplace 4
  At 44, he played the oldest regular-season game among the modern long-career names listed by the NBA; his career spanned 23 seasons.
  Source ↗
- Metaplace 7
  44y224d second oldest ever, 5 games at 44 after 2-year hiatus with Mavericks, 21 seasons
- Grokplace 6
  21 seasons and played his final game at age 44, the oldest of the modern era
  Source ↗
- Geminiplace 8
  Battled through 21 seasons to become the oldest player in modern history at 44 years and 224 days, logging spot minutes for Dallas in 2007.
  Source ↗
- Kimiplace 10
  The oldest 'real' player ever: 44 years, 224 days — and 21 seasons across eight teams after being an All-Star in 1992.
  Source ↗
6 AIs put it here
Source ↗
7
Kevin Garnett
21 seasons and 50,418 minutes. He returned to Minnesota at 39 on a reported $8M and produced 1.1 Win Shares.
Included it: Claude, Meta, Grok, Gemini. Did not include: ChatGPT, Kimi, Wenxin.
In their lists: Claude: 7 · Meta: 6 · Grok: 4 · Gemini: 9
What each AI noted 4
- Claudeplace 7
  His last four seasons: three age-37-to-39 seasons with a total of 4.2 Win Shares, 21 seasons in all, and one reported $8M buyout.
  Source ↗
- Metaplace 6
  21 seasons from high school, title in Boston 2008 after 12 years Minnesota, DPOTY-level defense at 37
  Source ↗
- Grokplace 4
  21 seasons with strong late-career defensive impact after high-usage prime
  Source ↗
- Geminiplace 9
  Carried 50,418 grueling minutes into season 21, returning to Minnesota at age 39 on an $8M salary to reshape modern franchise leadership.
  Source ↗
4 AIs put it here
Source ↗
8
Udonis Haslem
20 seasons, all with Miami. He played to age 42 in a leadership, end-of-bench role, with 879 games in all.
Included it: ChatGPT, Meta, Grok. Did not include: Claude, Gemini, Kimi, Wenxin.
In their lists: ChatGPT: 9 · Meta: 8 · Grok: 10
What each AI noted 3
- ChatGPTplace 9
  He reached age 42 and played 20 seasons, but the last years were mostly a leadership and end-of-bench role rather than a production chase.
  Source ↗
- Metaplace 8
  20 seasons with Miami, retired at 42y363d three days after Finals loss to Nuggets 2023
- Grokplace 10
  20 seasons with one team and played until age 42 in a limited role
  Source ↗
3 AIs put it here
Source ↗
9
Kobe Bryant
20 seasons with the Lakers. He earned the NBA's top salary ($25M) in his farewell at 37 and scored 60 points in his last game.
Included it: Meta, Grok, Kimi. Did not include: Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Wenxin.
In their lists: Meta: 9 · Grok: 9 · Kimi: see list
What each AI noted 3
- Metaplace 9
  20 seasons with Lakers, 60-point finale at 37, 18x All-Star
  Source ↗
- Grokplace 9
  20 seasons all with the Lakers, still scoring at a high level near the end
  Source ↗
- Kimi
  Named differently in its own list: open the full list.
  see list
3 AIs put it here
Source ↗
10
Chris Paul
21 seasons. He had 5.7 Win Shares in 2,292 minutes at 39 with the Spurs, then a 16-game, 0.1-Win-Share finish with the Clippers at 40.
Included it: Claude, Grok. Did not include: ChatGPT, Meta, Gemini, Kimi, Wenxin.
In their lists: Claude: 6 · Grok: 8
What each AI noted 2
- Claudeplace 6
  He had 5.7 Win Shares in 2,292 minutes at age 39, then a 16-game season with the Clippers at 40.
  Source ↗
- Grokplace 8
  Reached 21 seasons while remaining a high-minute contributor into his late 30s
  Source ↗
2 AIs put it here
Source ↗

02More about the top three

The ranking is above. Here is more about the three places at the top: what they are, why they are here, and what is worth knowing.

The three are compared on different measures: seasons played, Win Shares at different ages (38 and 41), and pay from different years.

1LeBron James

No. 1 — LeBron James. On the lists of 6 of 7 AIs; median place there: 1. The AIs put LeBron first for the record 23 seasons, a 24th underway, and strong play at 41 even as his pay fell.

Did you know

On March 4, 2025, LeBron became the first player to score 50,000 points when you add the regular season and playoffs. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is second with 44,149.
Source ↗

What it is: The NBA's all-time leader in seasons played, now in his 24th.
Its edge: Most seasons of the three, and still producing at 41.
Who should know: Useful for anyone curious how far a body and a career can stretch.

Seasons playedRecord 23 seasons

Wikipedia · Wikidata

Why it is here

LeBron holds the longevity mark: his 2025–26 season was his 23rd, with a 24th underway. [AP](https://apnews.com/article/1db738a3a8c29aab2be24b1bc8082ae9) — (voice only)
Source ↗

History

In 2010, LeBron announced on a live ESPN special that he was leaving Cleveland to join Miami. The move became a defining moment in his career and drew intense reaction from his former city. — ESPN Press Room
Source ↗

Where to go further

Open his season stats page. Start with the 2025-26 per-game line: points, rebounds, assists. Then check the playoff row to see how he played when games mattered most.
Source ↗

Video: LeBron James - The Story Of Just A Kid From Akron Ohio (2000-2016) ᴴᴰ · RBS Productions.

Compare the top three ↓

2Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

No. 2 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. On the lists of 6 of 7 AIs; median place there: 2. The AIs ranked Kareem second because his late-career peak was the best here: 10.8 Win Shares and All-NBA First Team at 38.

Did you know

In 1967, while he was still Lew Alcindor at UCLA, the NCAA banned the dunk. The official reason was injury risk, but many people believe it was aimed at him. The ban lasted ten seasons.
Source ↗

What it is: A 20-season center who played until 42 with the skyhook.
Its edge: The strongest single season at an advanced age of the three.
Who should know: Useful for seeing that old can still mean a star, not just a survivor.

Seasons played20 seasons

Wikipedia · Wikidata

Why it is here

At age 38 in 1985–86, Kareem recorded 10.8 Win Shares, twice LeBron’s 5.4 at 41. [Basketball-Reference](https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1986_leaders.html) — (voice only)
Source ↗
That same age-38 season, he played 2,629 minutes and made the All-NBA First Team. [Basketball-Reference](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/abdulka01.html) — (voice only)
Source ↗

History

In 1985, Kareem looked finished after the Lakers lost the Finals opener by 34 points. He apologized to his teammates, then led the Lakers to the title and became Finals MVP at 38.
Source ↗

Keep in mind

He was long seen as distant and quiet. He says he was a shy kid, a "mystery man," and distrusted the media. That cost him some fans' goodwill.
Source ↗
His body paid a price for the long career. He says he has had two operations on his feet, and that yoga helped bring his mobility back.
Source ↗

Where to go further

Open Kareem's full stats page and find the advanced table. Look at his Win Shares and BPM for seasons 36 to 38 first, then compare them with his early Lakers years.
Source ↗

Video: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Why No One Today Can Shoot a Skyhook | Conversations with Tyler · Mercatus Center

Compare the top three ↓

3Vince Carter

No. 3 — Vince Carter. On the lists of 6 of 7 AIs; median place there: 4. The AIs placed Carter third because lasting 22 seasons was the achievement, though his late years were smaller role-player ones.

Vince Carter 2013-03-25 (1) — Danny Bollinger · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Did you know

Vince Carter left North Carolina after his junior year in 1998. In 2001 he finished his last course and earned a degree in Afro-American studies. He then flew out of the graduation ceremony early to play Game 7 against Philadelphia.
Source ↗

What it is: A 22-season player who held the longevity record before LeBron.
Its edge: Reinvented himself to last, from dunker to long-range role player.
Who should know: Useful for seeing how a player can stay by changing his job.

Seasons played22 seasons

Wikipedia · Wikidata

Why it is here

Carter set the longevity bar at 22 NBA seasons before LeBron passed it. [NBA.com](https://www.nba.com/news/vince-carter-checks-record-22nd-season) — (voice only)
Source ↗
At 38 in 2014–15, Carter averaged 16.5 minutes and had a 16.5% usage rate; the next season, at 39, his usage was 19.8%. [NBA.com stats](https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1713/) — (voice only)
Source ↗

History

In 2004, the Raptors traded Vince Carter to New Jersey after a difficult season in Toronto. The move began a new chapter alongside Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson, and Carter kept playing for many more years.
Source ↗

Keep in mind

In 2017–18 Carter wondered whether he was staying too long. He called Tracy McGrady, who said he would just know when it was time. His last years were more about lasting than starring.
Source ↗

What people say

"Some days I could walk by the weight room and just be like, 'Eh, not today.'" — Vince Carter, Sports Illustrated
Source ↗

Where to go further

Open Vince Carter's stats page and scroll to the season table. Read the Age column first, then check Win Shares for seasons 38 to 40 to see how his output dropped.
Source ↗

Video: Vince Carter puts on a show in legendary 2000 Slam Dunk Contest | NBA Highlights · ESPN

Compare the top three ↓

The top three side by side

	LeBron James	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	Vince Carter
In the AIs' lists	6 / 7	6 / 7	6 / 7
Seasons played	Record 23 seasons	20 seasons	22 seasons
Put first by	Claude, ChatGPT, Meta, Grok, Gemini, Kimi	—	—

Places with the same number of AIs are ordered by their average place in the AIs' own lists.

03Worth knowing

What the AIs noticed while building the list.

Karl Malone took a pay cut from $19.25M to $1.5M at 40, and the Lakers went 33-9 in the games he played. It was perhaps the best late-career value per dollar.

Noticed by:

Included it: Gemini, Kimi. Did not include: Claude, ChatGPT, Meta, Grok, Wenxin.

01Final list

LeBron James

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Vince Carter

Robert Parish

Dirk Nowitzki

Kevin Willis

Kevin Garnett

Udonis Haslem

Kobe Bryant

Chris Paul

02More about the top three

1LeBron James

Did you know

2Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Did you know

3Vince Carter

Did you know

The top three side by side

More ratings

03Worth knowing

04Questions people ask

05How we counted

1The question

2Why this topic

3Where it applies

4What we looked at

5Who ranked

6How the places were set

06Each AI's own list

What Claude noticed

What ChatGPT noticed

What Meta noticed

What Grok noticed

What Gemini noticed

What Kimi noticed