As the NBA season rapidly approaches, the league landscape teems with seasoned veterans and new dynamics. At the forefront, LeBron James, now 39 years old, continues to defy age-related expectations. Despite his advancing years, James recently made history by becoming the oldest player to win an MVP award in a competition featuring active NBA players. Further cementing his legacy, he was also named the most valuable player of the 2024 Olympics and clinched the MVP title in the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament.
Sam Quinn encapsulates this sentiment, noting, "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."
Durant and Curry: Aging Like Fine Wine
Kevin Durant, at 35, shows no signs of slowing down. Ranked 9th in the Top 100, Durant averaged impressive figures last season: 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, with a 41% success rate from beyond the arc over 75 games. As Brad Botkin aptly puts it, "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."
Equally indomitable is 36-year-old Stephen Curry, who holds the 6th position in the Top 100. Curry's unparalleled movement and precision shooting continue to make him an offensive powerhouse. Botkin adds, "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."
Jimmy Butler: A Strategic Force
Jimmy Butler, also 35, is ranked 22nd in the Top 100. As a pivotal player for the Miami Heat, the team outscored their opponents by 1.7 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor last season. Butler’s tactical approach to the game is expertly summarized by Botkin: "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?"
James Harden: A Nomadic Star
James Harden, now with the Los Angeles Clippers and ranked 44th in the Top 100, finds himself on his fourth team in as many years. At 35 years old, Harden's journey has been turbulent, but his scoring ability remains pivotal. 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."
Veterans Adding Value
Paul George's move to Philadelphia marks another significant shift in the NBA landscape. Simultaneously, DeMar DeRozan, age 35 and ranked 53rd, remains a consistent performer. Meanwhile, Mike Conley, at 36 and ranked 85th, brings invaluable experience to the Timberwolves. Jasmyn Wimbish highlights Conley's importance: "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."
Lopez and Horford: Unsung Heroes
Brook Lopez, 36, is ranked 88th, embodying the role of a crucial dual-threat center. "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," says Sam Quinn. Similarly, Al Horford, now 38, played an instrumental role in Boston's championship run, underscoring his significant contribution despite not making the Top 100. Wimbish reflects, "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."
Leadership and Mentorship: Chris Paul’s New Role
Chris Paul, at 39, transitions into a mentorship role with the Spurs, especially guiding young phenom Victor Wembanyama. This pivot in Paul's illustrious career demonstrates the invaluable impact of veteran leadership in nurturing fresh talent.
As these stories unfold, the upcoming NBA season promises an exhilarating blend of seasoned expertise and emerging talent. The enduring performances of these veteran players not only shape the narrative of the league but also inspire the next generation of basketball stars.