The fourth fall in a row, Lakers a star LeBron James will enter the NBA season as the league’s oldest player.
James will turn 42 before the end of the calendar year, making him one of only two active players over 40. The other is the Warriors big man Al Horfordwho moved into second place on the NBA’s list of oldest players following the retirement of three veteran guards, Chris Paul, Kyle Lowryand Temple Garrett.
Along with Paul, Lowry and Temple, Jeff Green and Joe Ingles no longer on NBA rosters. Green remains unsigned, while Ingles returned to his native Australia in the off-season, joining Melbourne United.
As a result, five of the NBA’s seven oldest players from last season are missing from this year’s roster, leaving plenty of room for some new names. Those newcomers include a pair of former MVPs, with Kevin Durant and James Harden entered the top 10 for the first time.
Before we share the full list, we must acknowledge that it is subject to change. Players like Green and Kevin Love are eligible if they find new homes in the NBA in the coming days or weeks, and the list below will include at least one player who may no longer be on the roster at the time of the opening.
As of right now, here is the list of the oldest players in the league heading into the 2026/27 NBA season:
- LeBron James, Sixers (born 12/30/1984)
- Al Horford, Warriors (born 03.06.1986)
- James Johnson, Pacers (born 20.02.1987)
- Note: Johnson is on a non-guaranteed contract for training camp.
- Mike Conley, Celtics (born 11.10.1987)
- Stephen Curry, Warriors (born 14.03.1988)
- Brooke Lopez, Clippers (born 01.04.1988)
- DeAndre Jordan, Pelicans (born 21.07.1988)
- Kevin Durant, Rockets (born 29.09.1988)
- DeMar DeRozan, Nuggets (born on 07.08.1989)
- James Harden, Cavaliers (born on August 26, 1989)
The Warriors are the only team to be featured twice on the NBA’s oldest player list, and they will add a third name if Johnson is waived by the Pacers before the start of the regular season, which is highly likely. Assuming Johnson is removed from this list, the Warriors are ahead Jimmy Butlerthe only other active NBA player born in the 1980s will be the new #10.
After Butler, the NBA’s two oldest players are a few more names very familiar to Golden State fans — longtime Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompsonnow a member of the Heat, currently ranks as the 12th oldest player in the league, while the Warriors forward Draymond Green is immediately behind it at number 13.
Here are 10 the youngest players currently on NBA rosters who were each selected in the 2026 draft:
- Cameron Boozer, Grizzlies (born 18.07.2007)
- Jayden Quaintance, Spurs (born on 11.07.2007)
- Karim Lopez, Grizzlies (born on April 12, 2007)
- Okorie shares, Pistons (born on April 10, 2007)
- Keaton Wagler, Clippers (born 02/03/2007)
- Chris Senak Jr, Celtics (born on February 1, 2007)
- A. Ya. Dybants, Wizards (born 29.01.2007)
- Koa Pea, The sun (born 20.01.2007)
- Darrin Peterson, Jazz (born 17.01.2007)
- Kingston Flemings, Hawks (born 03.01.2007)
With fewer freshmen declaring for the NBA draft as early adopters due to NIL benefits, these are the only 10 players in the league born in 2007, and none will enter opening night as an 18-year-old like some players did last season.
Specifically, the Mavericks forward Cooper Flaggwho was the NBA’s youngest player last season, almost made the list again. Born on December 21, 2006, Flagg is the 11th overall pick, making him younger than most of this year’s draft class.
The top three picks in the 2026 draft — DiBanza, Peterson and Boozer — all appear on this list, with the Grizzlies the only team featured twice. Their first-round draft picks, Boozer and Lopez, are two of the three youngest players in the league.
