The average age of active NBA players in 2021 is 26 years old, while the average age of retirement is about the late 30s. All of the players on this list are technically at retirement age, or very close, and some of them do plan on leaving the NBA soon, while others show no signs of slowing down.
Please note that players who were unsigned free agents at the time of the this writing, a few months into the 2020 – 2021 regular season, were left off this list as they are not actually considered active, even if they have not yet formally retired.
As of February 2021, this information is as accurate as possible and will be updated as needed.
10. Taj Gibson (June 24, 1985 – Present)
Current Age (as of February 2021): 35 years, 7 months, 25 days
Current Team: New York Knicks
Draft Year: 2009
Playing Career: 2009 – Present
Position: ; Power Forward
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Taj Gibson is another NBA player who will be turning 36 later on in the year, which is currently the average age of the players on this list. Gibson was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 2009 and spent most of his career with the team. In early 2017, Gibson was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, that summer, Gibson signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves for two seasons. At the beginning of 2021, Gibson re-signed with the New York Knicks.
Did You Know?
While playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Taj Gibson became the first NBA player ever to wear No. 67, in honor of his Brooklyn elementary school, P.S. 67.
9. Chris Paul (May 6, 1985 – Present)
Current Age (as of February 2021): 35 years, 9 months, 12 days
Current Team: Phoenix Suns
Draft Year: 2005
Playing Career: 2005 – Present
Position: Point Guard
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Chris Paul is a 15-year NBA veteran who has become one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Paul grew up playing football and basketball and was star player in high school and college. In 2005, while he was still in college, Paul announced that he was going professional and he was drafted later that year. Paul started his NBA career with the New Orleans Hornets, which was followed by the Los Angeles Clippers, then the Houston Rockets, and a year with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Did You Know?
Since August 2013, Chris Paul has been the president of the National Basketball Players Association.
8. P.J. Tucker (May 5, 1985 – Present)
Current Age (as of February 2021): 35 years, 9 months, 13 days
Current Team: Houston Rockets
Draft Year: 2006
Playing Career: 2006 – Present
Position: Power Forward
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
P.J. Tucker will be turning 36 in a few months and has been playing professional basketball since 2006. Although Tucker was drafted to the NBA in 2006, he was only with the Toronto Raptors for one year. Tucker then went over to Europe and played with various teams for the next several years. He returned to the NBA in 2012 when he was signed to the Phoenix Suns. Following his time with the Suns, Tucker had a very brief stint with the Raptors again before moving on to the Houston Rockets.
Did You Know?
Besides basketball, P.J. Tucker is known for his sneaker collection, which includes rare “player edition” pairs of sneakers made for former NBA players such as Shawn Marion, Michael Finley, Josh Howard, and Eddie Jones, as well as some rare “Terror Squad” pairs designed by the rapper Fat Joe.
7. Paul Millsap (February 10, 1985 – Present)
Current Age (as of February 2021): 36 years, 8 days
Current Team: Denver Nuggets
Draft Year: 2006
Playing Career: 2006 – Present
Position: Power Forward
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Paul Millsap recently celebrated his 36th birthday and is now the same age as many of the other players on this list. Millsap has been with the Denver Nuggets since 2017, but he started his NBA career with the Utah Jazz in 2006. After spending seven years with the Jazz, Millsap played with the Atlanta Hawks for a few years. Millsap is a four-time NBA All-Star.
Did You Know?
During his three years at Louisiana Tech, Paul Millsap averaged 18.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 92 games. He is the only player in NCAA basketball history to lead the nation in rebounding for three consecutive years.
6. Marc Gasol (January 29, 1985 – Present)
Current Age (as of February 2021): 36 years, 19 days
Current Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Draft Year: 2007
Playing Career: 2003 – Present
Position: Center
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Marc Gasol, who was born and raised in Spain, is the second oldest player on the L.A. Lakers, after LeBron James, who is just a month older. As a teenager, Gasol moved to Tennessee with his parents after his older brother, Pau, joined the Memphis Grizzlies. Gasol started playing basketball in high school and college. Before being drafted to the NBA in 2007, Gasol played professional basketball in Spain with the Liga ACB for FC Barcelona. In addition to the Lakers, Gasol has played for the Memphis Grizzlies and the Toronto Raptors.
Did You Know?
In 2019, Marc Gasol became became the second player in history to win an NBA championship and a World Cup in the same year, and the first non-American to win an NBA or WNBA title and either a World Cup or Olympic gold medal in the same year.
5. LeBron James (December 30, 1984 – Present)
Current Age (as of February 2021): 36 years, 1 month, 18 days
Current Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Draft Year: 2003
Playing Career: 2003 – Present
Position: Small forward / Power forward
photo source: Wikimedia Commons via Keith Allison
James has gone on to have an impressive career and his accomplishments include three NBA championships, four NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, three NBA Finals MVP Awards, and two Olympic gold medals. Additionally, James won the 2008 NBA scoring title, is the all-time NBA playoffs scoring leader, and is fourth in all-time career points scored.
Did You Know?
In addition to basketball, LeBron James played football in high school and was even recruited by some Division I programs, including Notre Dame. Some sports analysts, football critics, high school coaches, former and current players have speculated that James could have played in the NFL.
4. JJ Redick (June 24, 1984 – Present)
Current Age (as of February 2021): 36 years, 7 months, 24 days
Current Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Draft Year: 2006
Playing Career: 2006 – Present
Position: Shooting guard
photo source: Wikimedia Commons via Keith Allison
Jonathan Clay Redick, better known as JJ, has been in the NBA since 2006 when he was drafted by the Orlando Magic. Unlike a lot of the players on this list, Redick was kept by the team that drafted him and he was with the Magic until 2013. Later that year, Redick was briefly traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, before he was acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers. Redick also played for the Phildelphia 76ers for a few seasons and is currently with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Did You Know?
JJ Redick set many records during his collegiate basketball career, including most career points (record was subsequently broken by UNC’s Tyler Hansbrough in 2009) and most career ACC tournament points. Redick is still the all-time leading scorer for Duke University.
3. Carmelo Anthony (May 29, 1984 – Present)
Current Age (as of February 2021): 36 years, 8 months, 19 days
Current Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Draft Year: 2003
Playing Career: 2003 – Present
Position: Small Forward / Power Forward
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Carmelo Anthony is currently one of the most popular players in the NBA. The 36-year old has been playing basketball his entire life and following a growth spurt in high school, Anthony became one of the area’s top players.
During his college career, Anthony only played one season with Syracuse University, setting numerous records and distinguishing himself as the best college ball player at the time. Anthony was drafted into the NBA in 2003 and has played for the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and currently the Portland Trail Blazers.
Did You Know?
Carmelo Anthony has been named an NBA All-Star 10 times and played in the Olympics for the US national team a record four times, winning one bronze and three gold medals.
2. Andre Iguodala (January 28, 1984 – Present)
Current Age (as of February 2021): 37 years, 20 days
Current Team: Miami Heat
Draft Year: 2004
Playing Career: 2004 – Present
Position: Shooting guard / Small forward
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Andre Iguodala looked up to Michael Jordan as a kid and decided he wanted to become a professional basketball player when he grew up. Iguodala played basketball in high school and went on to play for the Arizona Wildcats while he attended college. At Arizona Iguodala joined future NBA players Channing Frye, Luke Walton, Mustafa Shakur, Salim Stoudamire, and Hassan Adams. Iguodala was drafted to the NBA in 2004 and has played with the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, and currently the Miami Heat.
Did You Know?
Andre Iguodala has won three NBA Championships while he was with the Golden State Warriors and was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2015.
1. Udonis Haslem (June 9, 1980 – Present)
Current Age (as of February 2021): 40 years, 8 months, 8 days
Current Team: Miami Heat
Draft Year: Undrafted
Playing Career: 2002 – Present
Position: Power forwad
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Udonis Haslem has been playing professional basketball since 2002 and since the retirement of Vince Carter, Haslem is currently the oldest active player in the NBA at the age of 40. Haslem was not drafted, but began his career with French team Chalon-Sur-Saône. After playing in France for year, Haslem was picked up by the Miami Heat and has remained with the team since 2003
Did You Know?
Udonis Haslem attended Miami Senior High School and played for its basketball team along with former NBA player Steve Blake.
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