List of NBA seasons played leaders

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Only twelve players in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) have played 20 or more seasons in their respective careers. In 1985–86, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke the previous NBA record of 16 seasons held by Dolph Schayes, John Havlicek, Paul Silas and Elvin Hayes;[1][2][3] he finished his career in 1988–89 with a then-record 20 seasons played.[4][5] Robert Parish broke the mark in 1996–97, when he retired after 21 seasons[6][7] and Kevin Willis tied him in his final season in 2006–07.[a][9] They were joined by Kevin Garnett in 2015–16 when he began his 21st season.[10] The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant was the first NBA player to spend 20 seasons with one team.[11] In 2018–19, Dirk Nowitzki surpassed Bryant with 21 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks.[12] In 2019–20, Vince Carter became the first player to play 22 seasons in the NBA.[13] In 2025–26, LeBron James surpassed this record by playing in his 23rd season.[14][15]

Seasons played leaders

LeBron James with an angry face
LeBron James, who began his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, holds the NBA record of 23 seasons played.
Carter shooting the ball against a defender
Vince Carter, who began his career with the Toronto Raptors, is the first player in NBA history to have played in 22 seasons.
Parish looking up
Robert Parish was the first to play 21 seasons in the NBA, currently tied for the third most in league history.
Nowitzki looking up
Dirk Nowitzki spent his entire 21-year career with the Dallas Mavericks, the most ever by an NBA player with one team.[16]
Garnett dunking
Kevin Garnett began his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, returning later and tying the then-record of 21 seasons played in 2016.
Chris Paul holds the record for the most seasons played among guards with 21 seasons.
Abdul-Jabbar shooting a skyhook over a defender
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar retired in 1989 with a then-record of 20 seasons played.
Bryant dribbling
Kobe Bryant was the first guard to play 20 seasons.
Kidd gripping a basketball and starting to leap
Jason Kidd had two stints with the Dallas Mavericks in his career, retiring tied with a then-record 19 seasons as a guard.
John Stockton spent all 19 years of his NBA career with the Utah Jazz, from 1984 to 2003.
^ Active NBA player
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
† Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[b]
§ 1st time eligible for Hall of Fame in 2027[17]
More information Rank, Player ...
NBA seasons played leaders
Rank Player Position Team(s) Seasons
1LeBron James^ SF
23
2Vince Carter* SG / SF
22
3Robert Parish* C
21
Kevin Willis[a] PF / C
Kevin Garnett* PF
Dirk Nowitzki* PF Dallas Mavericks (1998–2019)
Chris Paul† PG
8Kareem Abdul-Jabbar* C
20
Kobe Bryant* SG Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2016)
Jamal Crawford SG
Udonis Haslem PF / C
Kyle Lowry† PG
13Moses Malone* C
19
James Edwards C
John Stockton* PG Utah Jazz (1984–2003)
Karl Malone* PF
Charles Oakley PF
Shaquille O'Neal* C
Juwan Howard PF
Jason Kidd* PG
Tim Duncan* PF / C San Antonio Spurs (1997–2016)
Paul Pierce* SG / SF
Jason Terry SG
Tyson Chandler C
Carmelo Anthony* SF
Andre Iguodala SG / SF
Mike Conley Jr.^ PG
Al Horford^ C
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See also

Notes

  1. [a]
    Willis' career spanned 23 years, but he missed two seasons. He was out injured all of 1988–89 and initially retired and did not play in 2005–06 before returning for five games in 2007.[8]
  2. [b]
    A player is not eligible for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame until he has been fully retired for two calendar years.

References

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