The NBA season is fast approaching, and as teams gear up for another thrilling year of basketball, the spotlight naturally falls on its seasoned superstars. One name that continues to shine brightly is LeBron James. At 39 years old, James remains a force to be reckoned with. Despite the challenges of age, he recently became the oldest player to win an MVP award in a competition featuring active NBA players, and he was also named the most valuable player of the 2024 Olympics. Further cementing his legacy, James claimed the MVP award in the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament.
"Sure, it's unreasonable to expect the impending quadragenarian to be the NBA's best player over the course of an 82-game season anymore, but make no mistake, in a smaller sample, there still might not be a single player in all of basketball that inspires more fear in his opponents than LeBron James," notes Sam Quinn.
But James is far from the only veteran superstar making waves. Kevin Durant, now 35, remains near the peak of his powers. With an average of 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists on 41% shooting from beyond the arc last season, Durant showcased why he is ranked 9th in the Top 100. Playing 75 games last season, Durant continues to be a devastating force on the court.
“Durant remains pretty close to the height of his powers. Last season he averaged 27-6-5 on 41% 3-point shooting... Durant was the best isolation scorer in basketball last season,” said Brad Botkin.
Stephen Curry, aged 36, maintains a similarly high level of performance. Ranked 6th in the Top 100, Curry’s mesmerizing movement and shooting proficiency make him an unparalleled offensive force. As Botkin aptly puts it, “Curry is still an offense unto himself with his inimitable movement and pure shot-making talent. At 36 years old, it's hard to see where he's declined at all offensively.”
Beyond Curry, other players such as Jimmy Butler and James Harden are also making their mark. Butler, 35, ranked 22nd in the Top 100, was pivotal for the Miami Heat, who outscored opponents by 1.7 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor last season. “Butler is what he is: A great player who paces himself in the regular season in order to produce superstar postseason stretches... The question is: Are the Heat still good enough to give Butler the opportunity to shift into his playoff gear?” reflects Botkin.
Harden, also 35, has been on a basketball odyssey of sorts, now finding himself with the Los Angeles Clippers – his fourth team in as many years – ranked 44th in the Top 100. As Jack Maloney observes, “Harden’s basketball odyssey took him to Los Angeles last season... Harden will need to take on a bigger scoring burden than he has in recent years in order for the Clippers to stay relevant in the Western Conference.”
Another significant move saw Paul George transition to Philadelphia, adding yet another layer of intrigue to a dynamic NBA landscape.
Further down the rankings, but not out of the spotlight, DeMar DeRozan, Mike Conley, and Brook Lopez continue to demonstrate their value. DeRozan, at 35, is ranked 53rd in the Top 100. Conley, aged 36 and ranked 85th, remains a crucial veteran presence for the Timberwolves. “Conley will enter the upcoming season as one of the oldest players in the league, but he's also still one of the most valuable veterans a young team -- like the Timberwolves -- could have,” says Jasmyn Wimbish. Similarly, Lopez, also 36 and ranked 88th, continues to be a coveted asset for any team. As Quinn mentions, “Everyone wants a Brook Lopez... there simply aren't other centers who take nothing off of the floor on either end while adding quite a bit on both.”
Lastly, Chris Paul and Al Horford, at 39 and 38 years old respectively, still play pivotal roles for their teams. Paul serves as a veteran mentor for the Spurs and Victor Wembanyama, while Horford, despite not making the Top 100, played an essential role in Boston's championship run. Wimbish notes, “I'm actually quite surprised Horford didn't make our Top 100, but it just shows how much talent is in the NBA... he was one of the most important players on the floor for the Celtics.”
As the season inches closer, the narrative of these veteran stars will be one to watch. Their experience and skill continue to inspire and shape the game, providing invaluable contributions to their teams and the league as a whole. The upcoming NBA season promises not only the excitement of young talent but also the enduring brilliance of its seasoned warriors.