The NBA has more veterans rostered than ever before

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Over the past few years, a popular talking point among people around the NBA has been that the league is lacking in veteran players, the leaders of yesteryear like Nick Collison or Udonis Haslem, who stuck around for so long due to their locker-room leadership and veteran voices moreso than for their basketball abilities.

Basketball Hall-of-Famer Kevin Garnett explained in 2021 why he believes having veterans on rosters is important (via the New York Times):


Martin said that he himself had to provide veteran leadership to young Rockets players despite his having been out of the NBA since 2014-15:

So I'm sitting around with them dudes, I'm going to watch them on the road, we in the hotel lobby and I'm talking to these dudes and everything that I'm saying is like it's the word to them, because they ain't heard none of this sh*t before. They are all locked in like ‘give me more OG’. like ‘talk to me’ like’ what would you do in this, how would you handle this’… They ain't heard none of this sh*t.

So, it's clear that current and former NBA players believe the league has a problem right now with its lack of veterans on rosters.

But, statistically, is that true?

Our research indicates that it isn't, as we found that in 2024-25, the NBA set a record for most players with 15-plus years of NBA experience being on an NBA roster at the same time, with a whopping 20 such players. The previous high mark for a single season was 16 such players on rosters... which was set last season in 2023-24.

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Of course, that doesn't negate what players like Harden and Martin were saying. Just because the NBA has the most players ever with 15-plus years of experience on rosters right now, that doesn't mean they're all there to focus on being leaders. It's more like, be it due to modern medicine and recovery methods or whatever else, more elite players are playing until they have 15-plus years in the league.

Just look at some of the names who qualify for the 15-plus-year-in-the-NBA club right now: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Harden, as well as DeMar DeRozan, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook and Jrue Holiday.

We can assure you that those guys aren't being kept on rosters just to mentor younger players. Most of those players remain elite or very, very good at worst, and their primary focus is to play at a star – or great-backup – level, not to talk to younger players during games to point out their mistakes.

So, as is the case with many things in life, it seems that two things can be true at once here: The NBA might lack veteran leadership on a variety of teams right now. However, if you remain playing at a high level, you will still find yourself on an NBA roster. It's not like older players are being shunned from the NBA, which is what some pundits and former players make it sound like when discussing the topic.

Regardless, below, check out all of the seasons in NBA history that had at least one player with 15-plus years of NBA experience. Note: If a year is not listed below, that means that that season had zero such players.

2025: 20​

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Players with 15-plus years of experience:Kevin Durant, James Harden, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan, Brook Lopez, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Jrue Holiday, Mike Conley, Al Horford, Eric Gordon, Nicolas Batum, DeAndre Jordan, Kyle Lowry, Jeff Green, Kevin Love, Patrick Mills, Taj Gibson, James Johnson

2024: 16​

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Players with 15-plus years of experience:Al Horford, Brook Lopez, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Eric Gordon, JaVale McGee, Jeff Green, Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, Kyle Lowry, LeBron James, Mike Conley, Nicolas Batum, Robin Lopez, Russell Westbrook, Thaddeus Young

2023: 9​

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Players with 15-plus years of experience:Al Horford, Andre Iguodala, Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry, LeBron James, Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, Thaddeus Young, Udonis Haslem

2022: 15​

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Players with 15-plus years of experience:Andre Iguodala, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, CJ Miles, Dwight Howard, Joe Johnson, Kyle Lowry, LaMarcus Aldridge, LeBron James, Louis Williams, Paul Millsap, Rajon Rondo, Rudy Gay, Trevor Ariza, Udonis Haslem

2021: 8​

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Players with 15-plus years of experience: Andre Iguodala, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Louis Williams, Trevor Ariza, Udonis Haslem

2020: 11​

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Players with 15-plus years of experience: Andre Iguodala, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Jamal Crawford, JR Smith, Kyle Korver, LeBron James, Trevor Ariza, Tyson Chandler, Udonis Haslem, Vince Carter

2019: 13​

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Players with 15-plus years of experience: Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, Jamal Crawford, Kyle Korver, LeBron James, Nenê, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, Tyson Chandler, Udonis Haslem, Vince Carter, Zaza Pachulia

2018: 12​

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Players with 15-plus years of experience:Dirk Nowitzki, Jamal Crawford, Jason Terry, Joe Johnson, Manu Ginobili, Nenê, Pau Gasol, Richard Jefferson, Tony Parker, Tyson Chandler, Vince Carter, Zach Randolph

2017: 13​

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Players with 15-plus years of experience: Dirk Nowitzki, Jamal Crawford, Jason Terry, Joe Johnson, Metta World Peace, Mike Miller, Pau Gasol, Paul Pierce, Richard Jefferson, Tony Parker, Tyson Chandler, Vince Carter, Zach Randolph

2016: 13​

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Players with 15-plus years of experience:Andre Miller, Dirk Nowitzki, Elton Brand, Jamal Crawford, Jason Terry, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace, Mike Miller, Nazr Mohammed, Paul Pierce, Tim Duncan, Vince Carter

2015: 11​

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Players with 15-plus years of experience:Andre Miller, Dirk Nowitzki, Elton Brand, Jason Terry, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Nazr Mohammed, Paul Pierce, Shawn Marion, Tim Duncan, Vince Carter

2014: 15​

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Players with 15-plus years of experience:Al Harrington, Antawn Jamison, Chauncey Billups, Derek Fisher, Dirk Nowitzki, Jermaine O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Nazr Mohammed, Paul Pierce, Rashard Lewis, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, Tim Duncan, Vince Carter

2013: 15​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: Chauncey Billups, Derek Fisher, Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, Jermaine O'Neal, Jerry Stackhouse, Juwan Howard, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Kurt Thomas, Marcus Camby, Rasheed Wallace, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, Tim Duncan

2012: 14​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience:Ben Wallace, Derek Fisher, Erick Dampier, Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, Jermaine O'Neal, Jerry Stackhouse, Juwan Howard, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Kurt Thomas, Marcus Camby, Ray Allen, Steve Nash

2011: 9​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience:Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, Jerry Stackhouse, Joe Smith, Juwan Howard, Kevin Garnett, Kurt Thomas, Shaquille O'Neal, Theo Ratliff

2010: 4​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience:Jason Kidd, Juwan Howard, Lindsey Hunter, Shaquille O'Neal

2009: 3​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience:Dikembe Mutombo, Lindsey Hunter, Shaquille O'Neal

2008: 3​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience:Dikembe Mutombo, Robert Horry, Shaquille O'Neal

2007: 5​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience:Clifford Robinson, Dale Davis, Dikembe Mutombo, Gary Payton, Kevin Willis

2006: 2​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience:Clifford Robinson, Gary Payton

2005: 5​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience:Clifford Robinson, Kevin Willis, Reggie Miller, Rod Strickland, Vlade Divac

2004: 9​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience:Avery Johnson, Charles Oakley, Horace Grant, Karl Malone, Kevin Willis, Mark Jackson, Reggie Miller, Rod Strickland, Scottie Pippen

2003: 9​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience:Charles Oakley, Chris Dudley, Horace Grant, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Kevin Willis, Mark Jackson, Reggie Miller, Scottie Pippen

2002: 9​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience:Charles Oakley, Dell Curry, Hakeem Olajuwon, John Stockton, Johnny Newman, Karl Malone, Kevin Willis, Patrick Ewing, Terry Porter

2001: 14​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience:A.C. Green, Charles Oakley, Chris Mullin, Detlef Schrempf, Hakeem Olajuwon, Jerome Kersey, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Kevin Willis, Otis Thorpe, Patrick Ewing, Sam Perkins, Terry Porter, Tyrone Corbin

2000: 10​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience:Antoine Carr, Charles Barkley, Dale Ellis, Hakeem Olajuwon, Jerome Kersey, John Stockton, Mark West, Otis Thorpe, Sam Perkins, Terry Cummings

1999: 8​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: Dale Ellis, Danny Schayes, Derek Harper, Eddie Johnson, Herb Williams, Mark West, Rick Mahorn, Terry Cummings

1998: 9​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: Alton Lister, Buck Williams, Danny Schayes, Eddie Johnson, Herb Williams, Rick Mahorn, Ricky Pierce, Terry Cummings, Tom Chambers

1997: 5​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: Buck Williams, Danny Schayes, Herb Williams, Rick Mahorn, Robert Parish

1996: 2​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: James Edwards, Robert Parish

1995: 4​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: James Edwards, Moses Malone, Robert Parish, Tree Rollins

1994: 3​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: James Edwards, Moses Malone, Robert Parish, Tree Rollins

1993: 4​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: James Edwards, Moses Malone, Robert Parish, Tree Rollins

1992: 2​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: Moses Malone, Robert Parish

1989: 1​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

1988: 1​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

1987: 1​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

1986: 1​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

1985: 1​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

1984: 1​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: Elvin Hayes

1980: 1​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: Paul Silas

1978: 1​

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Players with 15-plus years ofexperience: John Havlicek

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: The NBA has more veterans rostered than ever before

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