# The 20 Best NBA Players After Turning 35

> Some kept starting into their forties, others reinvented themselves entirely, and a couple simply refused to slow down. Cast your vote!

*By YPB Team · Published July 28, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-20-best-nba-players-after-turning-35*

---

## Current results (3 votes)

1. **LeBron James** — 66.67% (2 votes · score 1000/1000)
   Still an All-NBA scorer past 40, having signed for a 24th season after turning 41.
2. **Kareem Abdul-Jabbar** — 0% (0 votes · score 805/1000)
   Won Finals MVP at 38 and played on until 42, the oldest to take that award.
3. **John Stockton** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 618/1000)
   Started every game of his final season at 41 and still led the league in assist efficiency.
4. **Jason Kidd** — 0% (0 votes · score 534/1000)
   Made All-NBA at 37 and won a title at 38 as New Jersey's athleticism drained away.
5. **Kevin Durant** — 0% (0 votes · score 463/1000)
   Kept scoring at an All-Star clip into his late thirties after two devastating injuries.
6. **Paul Pierce** — 0% (0 votes · score 463/1000)
   Was still Boston's closer at 36 and a useful playoff starter for years after that.
7. **Stephen Curry** — 0% (0 votes · score 379/1000)
   Still the gravity the whole Golden State offence bends around in his late thirties.
8. **Karl Malone** — 0% (0 votes · score 379/1000)
   Made All-NBA at 38 and was still the best power forward in the league most nights.
9. **Udonis Haslem** — 0% (0 votes · score 379/1000)
   Stayed in the league to 43 on defence, rebounding and the loudest voice in the room.
10. **Robert Parish** — 0% (0 votes · score 379/1000)
   Played 21 seasons and won a fourth ring at 43, the oldest champion in league history.
11. **Chris Paul** — 0% (0 votes · score 379/1000)
   Ran playoff offences into his 40th year, still one of the league's best pick-and-roll minds.
12. **Steve Nash** — 0% (0 votes · score 379/1000)
   Led the NBA in assists at 36 and shot better from the field than most guards half his age.
13. **Manu Ginobili** — 0% (0 votes · score 379/1000)
   Came off San Antonio's bench until 41 and still ran their best playoff lineups.
14. **Kevin Garnett** — 0% (0 votes · score 379/1000)
   Held down a title-contending defence in Boston well past his 35th birthday.
15. **Michael Jordan** — 0% (0 votes · score 278/1000)
   Came back at 38 with Washington and still averaged over 22 points a game.
16. **Dikembe Mutombo** — 0% (0 votes · score 278/1000)
   Blocked shots as a starting centre at 42 with no obvious loss of timing.
17. **Vince Carter** — 0% (0 votes · score 278/1000)
   Stretched his career to 22 seasons and age 43 by reinventing himself as a shooter.
18. **Tim Duncan** — 0% (0 votes · score 278/1000)
   Anchored a championship defence at 38 and retired as a starter, not a bench veteran.
19. **Dirk Nowitzki** — 0% (0 votes · score 278/1000)
   Played until 40 in Dallas and became the first European to reach 21 seasons.
20. **Ray Allen** — 0% (0 votes · score 154/1000)
   Hit the most important three in Heat history at 38 with the season on the line.

Tags: sports, basketball, players, nba, legends