<P> Only seven players in the history of the National Basketball Association ( NBA ) have played at least 20 seasons in their 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 ; he finished his career in 1988 -- 89 with a then - record 20 seasons played . Robert Parish broke the mark in 1996 -- 97 , when he retired after 21 seasons , and Kevin Willis tied him in his final season in 2006 -- 07 . They were joined by Kevin Garnett in 2015 -- 16 when he began his 21st season . His Minnesota Timberwolves played their season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant , who became the fifth player to reach the 20 - season plateau that night . The game was the first time in league history that two opposing players each had at least 20 years of experience . Having played his entire career with the Lakers , Bryant was also the first NBA player to spend 20 seasons with one team . In 2017 -- 18 , Dirk Nowitzki and Vince Carter each began their 20th NBA seasons . Nowitzki , who has spent his entire career with the Dallas Mavericks , is the only player other than Bryant to have played 20 seasons with one team . </P>
<P> Only seven players in the history of the National Basketball Association ( NBA ) have played at least 20 seasons in their 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 ; he finished his career in 1988 -- 89 with a then - record 20 seasons played . Robert Parish broke the mark in 1996 -- 97 , when he retired after 21 seasons , and Kevin Willis tied him in his final season in 2006 -- 07 . They were joined by Kevin Garnett in 2015 -- 16 when he began his 21st season . His Minnesota Timberwolves played their season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant , who became the fifth player to reach the 20 - season plateau that night . The game was the first time in league history that two opposing players each had at least 20 years of experience . Having played his entire career with the Lakers , Bryant was also the first NBA player to spend 20 seasons with one team . In 2017 -- 18 , Dirk Nowitzki and Vince Carter each began their 20th NBA seasons . Nowitzki , who has spent his entire career with the Dallas Mavericks , is the only player other than Bryant to have played 20 seasons with one team . </P>
who played in the nba the most years
who played in the nba the most years
Robert Parish Kevin Willis Kevin Garnett
Robert Parish Kevin Willis Kevin Garnett