With the NBA regular season beginning in less than two months, let’s take a look at who is the oldest player on each team. Only players on standard contracts are listed. Age listed is how old they will be on October 22 when the regular season begins. This article will be edited throughout the offseason if changes need to be made due to a signing or trade.
The Oldest Player On Each NBA Eastern Conference Team
Atlanta Hawks – Bogdan Bogdanovic (Age: 32)
One of the most productive reserves in the NBA, Bogdan Bogdanovic has spent the last four seasons with Atlanta. The six-foot-five guard finished fifth in Sixth Man of the Year voting last season and sixth in 2021-22.
Boston Celtics – Al Horford (Age: 38)
It took 17 seasons and 186 postseason outings, but Al Horford finally won his first NBA championship last season. Even at his advanced age, he is still useful. Horford filled in as the starting center during the playoffs whenever Kristaps Porzingis was out with injury.
Brooklyn Nets – Bojan Bogdanovic (Age: 35)
Thrown into the Mikal Bridges trade, Bojan Bogdanovic is rejoining a Nets team that he started his NBA career off with. With Brooklyn not looking to contend next season, it remains to be seen if Bogdanovic sticks with them all season.
Charlotte Hornets – Taj Gibson (Age: 39)
Taj Gibson signed a one-year veteran’s minimum deal with Charlotte after playing last season with the Knicks and Pistons. He is preparing for his 16th NBA season and will mostly provide veteran leadership to a young Hornets team.
Chicago Bulls – Nikola Vucevic (Age: 33)
A two-time All-Star, Nikola Vucevic has two more years left on his deal at around $41.5 million. The six-foot-10 center has averaged a double-double in points and rebounds each of the last seven seasons. Vucevic will turn 34 on October 24, two days after the regular season begins.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Georges Niang (Age: 31)
On a relatively young team, Georges Niang is the oldest. He has played eight seasons in the NBA, and 2023-24 was his first with Cleveland. Niang averaged a career-high 9.4 points last season, although it was the first time in six years that he shot less than 40% from three.
Detroit Pistons – Tim Hardaway Jr. (Age: 32)
Acquired in a trade with the Dallas Mavericks, Tim Hardaway Jr. is about three months other than free agent signing Tobias Harris. Hardaway Jr. averaged 14.4 points last season but wasn’t always part of the Mavericks rotation in the Western Conference and NBA Finals in the 2024 playoffs.
Indiana Pacers – James Johnson (Age: 37)
James Johnson signed with the Pacers in February last season, only appearing in nine games (also one playoff game). The team decided to bring him back on a one year veteran’s minimum deal for the 2024-25 season.
Miami Heat – Kevin Love (Age: 36)
While not the impactful player he was as a five-time All-Star, Kevin Love is still an impressive rebounder and outlet passer. While Miami moved him to a bench role last season, he started 18 of 20 postseason games in 2023 when the Heat reached the NBA Finals.
Milwaukee Bucks – Brook Lopez (Age: 36)
Runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year in 2022-23, Brook Lopez has been Milwaukee’s starting center each of the last six seasons. The stretch five hit 36.6% of his three-point tries in 2023-24.
New York Knicks – Cameron Payne (Age: 30)
For a brief time, the Knicks didn’t have a player 30 or older. Cameron Payne just turned 30 years old on August 8. The six-foot-three point guard joined New York as a free agent after playing against them in the 2024 playoffs with the 76ers.
Orlando Magic – Cory Joseph (Age: 33)
A 13-year NBA veteran, Cory Joseph appeared in 26 games for the Golden State Warriors last season. The six-foot-two point guard hopes to get more playing time with Orlando as his 11.4 minutes per game in 2023-24 were the least since his rookie year.
Philadelphia 76ers – Kyle Lowry (Age: 38)
A six-time All-Star, Kyle Lowry was inserted into Philadelphia’s starting lineup after joining the team in mid-February. The 18-year NBA veteran connected on 40.4% of his three-point attempts in 23 games with the 76ers.
Toronto Raptors – Garrett Temple (Age: 38)
It is impressive for a player like Garrett Temple to go undrafted, and be getting ready for his 15th NBA season. He has always provided more value on the defensive end, although he did average double figures in scoring once (10.3 points in 2019-20 with Brooklyn).
Washington Wizards – Anthony Gill (Age: 32)
Anthony Gill didn’t make his NBA debut until the age of 28. He has played sparingly in his four seasons, all with the Wizards, but the team decided to re-sign the six-foot-seven forward in the offseason.
