The Oldest And Youngest Players In The NBA
- Joel Piton
- Sep 30
- 6 min read
The NBA has always been a league of contrasts—rising stars eager to carve out a legacy and seasoned veterans determined to extend theirs. On one end, the youngest players bring raw potential, the promise of growth, and the intrigue of what the future of basketball might become. On the other end, the oldest players embody experience, resilience, and the question of how much longer their brilliance can last.
Let's break down the five youngest and five oldest players in the NBA today. For the newcomers, we’ll examine just how much they've done on the amateur stage, how much room they have to grow, and what skills could elevate their games. For the veterans, we’ll explore what keeps them going, how much they still have left in the tank, and the legacies they’re cementing for the next generation of basketball with each passing season.
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Oldest
LeBron James [SF] — Los Angeles Lakers (40 Yrs, 9 Months)
At nearly 41 years old, LeBron James revealed on a recent podcast that he still has more basketball left to play. Whether it’s one more season or several, NBA fans are grateful to see him performing at such a high level this late in his career. Arguably the greatest to ever play the game, LeBron’s impact on basketball—and American sports as a whole—is undeniable. For now, he continues to defy Father Time, rewriting what longevity looks like in the NBA.
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Chris Paul [PG] — Los Angeles Clippers (40 Yrs, 4 Months)
Chris Paul announced this summer that the upcoming season will certainly be his last, fittingly closing his career with the Los Angeles Clippers—the team where he once played his best basketball. Now surrounded by a deep roster with star-studded talent, Paul has one final shot at a deep playoff run. Even if it ends short, his Hall of Fame résumé is already beyond secure. A 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA selection, five-time assists leader, six-time steals leader, and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Paul’s legacy as one of the greatest floor generals in NBA history is unquestioned. His impact and leadership will be missed long after his final game.
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Kyle Lowry [PG] — Philadelphia 76ers (39 Yrs, 6 Months)
Kyle Lowry has been fortunate to close the book on a remarkable career in his hometown. Injuries and load management have limited his impact in recent years, with just 35 games played and 3 points per game last season, but his peak years left a permanent mark on the NBA. A six-time All-Star and the undisputed “G.R.O.A.T.” (Greatest Raptor of All Time), Lowry was fundamental to Toronto’s 2019 championship run and remains the franchise’s all-time leader in assists, steals, three-pointers made, and triple-doubles. A two-way, do-it-all threat and one of the most consistent floor generals of the 2010s, this season doubles as both a farewell tour and a celebration of one of the most impactful point guards of his era.
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Al Horford [PF/C] — Golden State Warriors (39 Yrs, 3 Months)
Fresh off signing a multi-million dollar deal with the Golden State Warriors, Al Horford looks set for one final playoff run before calling it a career. For Celtics fans, it stings to see him in Golden State colors, but for basketball fans, it’s fitting to watch him share the floor with the greatest point guard of all time in what may be his last ride. At 39, Horford has reinvented himself as a reliable stretch four, punishing defenses from deep and the midrange while still contributing on the glass and as a savvy playmaker. Though his shot-blocking has declined with age, his impact remains undeniable. A five-time All-Star, NBA champion, and the greatest Dominican-born player in history, Horford’s legacy is secure no matter how this chapter ends.
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Jeff Green [PF] — Houston Rockets (39 Yrs, 1 Month)
At 39, “Uncle Jeff” has carved out one of the NBA’s most resilient careers, suiting up for 11 different franchises across 18 seasons. Now an NBA champion, Green has embraced his role as a steady, glue-guy stretch four—even if his high-flying days are behind him. A career 12-point-per-game scorer, he’s still delivering for Houston in late-game moments, shooting an efficient 47% in 109 appearances with the team. This could be his final stop in the league, but given his knack for adapting, it wouldn’t be surprising if Jeff Green finds a way to keep going just a little longer.
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Youngest
Cooper Flagg [SF] — Dallas Mavericks (18 Yrs, 9 Months)
Just nine days younger than LeBron James was when he first stepped onto an NBA floor, No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg enters the league with sky-high expectations. The 6’9” guard-forward hybrid led Duke to a 35–4 record and a Final Four berth, averaging 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Flagg’s offensive game is versatile—he’s confident in isolation, comfortable pulling up from midrange or deep, and fearless attacking the rim. Defensively, his agility and instincts allow him to guard virtually any position, making him a nightmare matchup on both ends of the floor. With a laid-back demeanor, relentless work ethic, and an already polished skill set, Flagg projects as a visionary two-way talent and one of the faces of the NBA for the next decade.
Jeremiah Fears [PG] — New Orleans Pelicans (18 Yrs, 11 Months)
Big things often come in small packages, and Jeremiah Fears’ potential is already shining through. The explosive combo guard turned heads in Summer League with his ball-handling, blistering downhill speed, and ability to finish at the rim. He’s comfortable pulling up from well beyond the arc and continues to develop as a playmaker, though his efficiency will need time to catch up with his talent. In New Orleans, Fears won’t be the premier point guard with Dejounte Murray on the roster, but that only gives him a chance to learn from one of the league’s top two-way veterans. With his athleticism, quickness, and flair for scoring, Fears has the tools to become the kind of guard every team covets for the future.
Ace Bailey [SF] — Utah Jazz (19 Yrs, 1 Month)
At 6’8”, Ace Bailey arrives in Utah as a scoring machine built for today’s NBA. A throwback in some ways and futuristic in others, Bailey thrives in the midrange while also flashing the size and athleticism to finish over virtually any defender inside. His speed and quickness make him a tough cover on the drive, and though he doesn’t launch threes at a high volume, he proved reliable at Rutgers by hitting 34% from deep. Defensively, Bailey has the tools to become elite, with the length and timing to guard every position on the floor. Already an offensive juggernaut and elite shot-maker, Bailey’s next step will be refining his playmaking. If he does, he has the potential to become one of the league’s most complete forwards.
Noa Essengue [PF] — Chicago Bulls (18 Yrs, 9 Months)
The youngest active player in the NBA, Noa Essengue enters the regular season looking to overcome being on the wrong side of a viral Summer League poster. Selected 12th overall by the Chicago Bulls, the 6’10” forward boasts a high ceiling thanks to his defensive versatility and agility. With the fluidity to contain smaller guards and the length to battle bigs, Essengue projects as a multi-positional defender. Offensively, he’s an active cutter, a lob threat who thrives above the rim, and a finisher who can absorb contact inside. His jump shot remains an open question—he rarely needed to showcase it in Germany—but if he develops a reliable perimeter stroke, Chicago may have landed one of the steals of the draft.
Khaman Maluach [C] — Phoenix Suns (19 Yrs, 0 Months)
At 7’2”, Khaman Maluach is a towering presence who played a key role in Duke’s Final Four run. Before arriving in the NCAA in 2024, the teenager sharpened his game with multiple African teams back home—a move that set the stage for his fundamentals. Dominant around the rim, Maluach shot over 70% from the field in his lone college season, looking virtually unguardable inside. In Summer League, he surprised fans and analysts by confidently stepping out to the three-point line, even if the results weren’t always there yet. Now the tallest player on Phoenix’s roster, Maluach represents the classic “paint beast” archetype with modern upside. If the Suns invest in his development, the center position could get the jolt of life it’s been missing.
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Which of these youngsters "got next"? And who's making the cleanest exit? The NBA’s story is always told in two directions—forward and backward. The youngest players, many of whom have yet to even step foot on an NBA floor, have the tools and potential to grow into tomorrow’s stars. Their journeys are just beginning, filled with hope, uncertainty, and the promise of what could be. On the flip side, the league’s oldest players are fighting against a ticking clock, where every game feels like an encore. Father Time always wins, and it's time to pass the torch. The question is whether or not the next generation will honor that legacy—and perhaps one day, create their own...
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Thanks for reading!
Joel Piton