NBA players such as LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Nikola Jokic are the best of the best for their ages so far in the 2023-24 season.

In the NBA, age has always been a good measurement of what a player has accomplished and a gauge of what that same player could accomplish in the future. Young stars such as Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Victor Wembanyama still have their entire careers ahead of them while aging superstars like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James are nearing the finish line regarding their playing days.

What makes these players unlike any other is the fact that, regardless of age, they are still among the most elite in the NBA at this time. Below, we will determine the best player from each age group based on their performances thus far in the 2023-24 season. These players range from the young stars at 19 just breaking into the league to the old vets in their late 30s still defying the laws of nature and having a positive impact on their teams.

Carmelo Anthony Explains Why The Golden State WarriorsWould Not Win A Title After Adding LeBron JamesRead More19 Years Old – Bilal Coulibaly

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Honorable Mentions: Cam Whitmore, GG Jackson

Kicking things off and representing the teenagers in the NBA this season is Washington Wizards rookie Bilal Coulibaly. As No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama’s former teammate in France, Coulibaly landed seventh overall to Washington in this past year’s NBA Draft.

In 56 appearances with eight starts this season, Coulibaly has been impressive on both sides of the floor, particularly defensively. He is averaging 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game so far this season but has been nursing a hip injury for a decent amount of the season.

It is hard to see Coulibaly’s impact on the Wizards who are 9-49through 58 games but it is safe to say that the team is going to be set at the small forward position for the foreseeable future with Coulibaly’s continued development.

20 Years Old – Victor Wembanyama

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Honorable Mentions: Jalen Duren, Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe

With all due respect to every rookie who made their debut in the last 10 years and beyond, Victor Wembanyama has been having one of the best debut seasons through 52 games we have ever seen. Wembanyama’s performance on both sides of the ball may not have had a serious impact on a team level just yet but anyone who knows the game can see that the young man has GOAT potential.

Through 53 games played in his rookie season, Wembanyama is averaging 20.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and an NBA-leading 3.3 blocks per game. At just 20 years old, his defensive peak should know no height at this point with his instincts and knowledge of his position already being at levels far beyond his years.

The Spurs may look like a trainwreck right now at 11-48 on the season but building for the future around Wembanyama is going to mean plenty of more contention for NBA championships from one of the NBA’s most successful franchises.

21 Years Old – Paolo Banchero

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Honorable Mentions: Chet Holmgren, Alperen Sengun

The NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year, Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic, had plenty of answers for those who thought he may be stagnant in his Sophomore campaign. Banchero followed up his award-winning rookie season with his first career All-Star selection while also leading his team to a winning record and in a dogfight for a playoff spot in a crowded Eastern Conference.

Through 57 starts for Orlando this season, Banchero is averaging 22.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. He has also become much more efficient shooting the ball, going 45.6% overall and 36.9% from three on 4.2 attempts. Banchero’s play has the Magic ahead of schedule in terms of their rebuild, sitting at 33-26 on the season and hanging on to the top Play-In spot through 59 games.

22 Years Old – Anthony Edwards

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Honorable Mentions: Franz Wagner, Jalen Williams, Scottie Barnes

The 22-year-old age group is as talented as any other age group in the NBA this season with players like Scottie Barnes, Jalen Williams, and Franz Wagner all taking massive leaps this season. However, only one 22-year-old is a legitimate MVP candidate on a team first in its conference through 59 games.

Anthony Edwards had shown plenty of potential as a star in the NBA in his first three seasons. In 2023-24, he has shown that he is going to be one of the future faces of the league and a natural-born leader on a team ready to make some noise in the NBA playoffs. Through 56 games played for the first-place 42-17 Minnesota Timberwolves, Edwards is averaging 26.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.

His maturity both as a player and a leader on and off the court has a lot to do with Minnesota’s success this season. Not only will there be plenty more individual accolades after his second straight All-Star selection, but Edwards possesses the ability to lead the Timberwolves to success on a team level they have never seen before.

23 Years Old – Tyrese Maxey

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Honorable Mentions: Zion Williamson, Jaime Jacquez Jr.

The group of 23-year-olds in the NBA is also among the most talented in the league right now. Only one of them is having a season in which he is running away with Most Improved Player honors while also taking home his first career All-Star selection. Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers is our choice for the top 23-year-old in the NBA in 2023-24, and it isn’t all that close.

Maxey is averaging 25.9 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.0 steals per game through 53 games serving as the Sixers’ starting point guard following the departure of James Harden earlier in the season. While the team has struggled in the absence of reigning MVP Joel Embiid, Maxey has kept them afloat at 33-25 and sixth in the East through 58 games.

Maxey’s continued development as one of the more prolific point guards in the league makes the 76ers a serious NBA title threat when the entire roster is healthy. At just 23 years old, the Sixers have their point guard for the foreseeable future and possibly the one that can help them break their 41-year NBA title drought.

24 Years Old – Tyrese Haliburton

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Honorable Mentions: Anfernee Simons, Darius Garland, Tyler Herro

By turning 24 years old today, Tyrese Haliburton inserted himself into and took control of the category for the best 24-year-old in the NBA this season. Haliburton has been incredible for the Indiana Pacers in 2023-24, earning his second straight All-Star selection and his first as a starter in his career.

Haliburton is averaging 21.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and a league-leading 11.6 assists per game while also committing a career-low 2.3 turnovers per game. By taking control of their offense, Haliburton has led the Pacers to a 34-26 record through 60 games and a spot currently in seventh in the East playoff picture. They are currently averaging 124.0 points per game as a team and it all starts with the efficient point guard play from Tyrese Haliburton to set the tone.

25 Years Old – Luka Doncic

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Honorable Mentions: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum

By turning 25 just yesterday on February 28, Luka Doncic joined an incredibly talented group that features two other MVP candidates in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum. Despite the success each of their teams has had this season, individually, neither has been better than Luka Doncic for the Mavericks in 2023-24.

Through 51 games for Dallas this season, Doncic is leading the NBA with 34.4 points per game on 49.4% shooting overall and a career-high 38.0% from three. He has also added 8.8 rebounds and 9.7 assists per game to help the Mavericks reach a 34-25 record through 57 games, tied for the seventh seed and only 0.5 games out of the fifth seed.

As one of the premiere point guards in the NBA over the last five years, Doncic may just be having his best and most complete season yet in 2023-24. This is good news for Mavericks fans looking to get back to the playoffs after missing them completely last season, and bad news for the fans of every other playoff team.

26 Years Old – De’Aaron Fox

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Honorable Mentions: Bam Adebayo, Brandon Ingram

Taking the category for the best 26-year-old player in 2023-24 is the biggest All-Star snub of the season as well, De’Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings. After leading the Kings to their first playoff appearance in 17 years in 2022-23, the pressure was on for Fox to do it again in 2023-24. So far, he has lived up to those expectations. The Western Conference has just gotten much more difficult to navigate.

In 51 appearances in 2023-24, Fox is averaging 26.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and a career-high 1.9 steals per game. He is shooting 47.1% overall but a much-improved 36.9% from three as well. The Kings are currently tied for seventh in the West with a 33-25 record and sit just 1.0 games back of the Suns for the fifth seed in the West.

Fox has already shown that when his back is against the wall, he can be counted on to help get his team out of it. His presence makes the Kings a tough matchup for whoever they may see come playoff time.

27 Years Old – Donovan Mitchell

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Honorable Mentions: Jalen Brunson, Dejounte Murray

As great of a season as Jalen Brunson is having in New York, the 27-year-old category in 2023-24 belongs to Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sitting on the upper echelon of shooting guards this season, Mitchell is having an MVP-caliber year for Cleveland. Mitchell earned his second straight All-Star selection this season and seems poised to capture yet another All-NBA Team selection.

With injuries to other stars such as Evan Mobley and Darius Garland, the pressure to deliver for Cleveland fell a lot on Mitchell’s shoulders to carry the load. He has done just that with 28.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. This has helped lead Cleveland to a surprising 38-20 record through 58 games and a spot in second in the East thus far.

As great as the regular season has been for Mitchell and the Cavaliers, they cannot be satisfied until they can wash off the stink from their first-round loss to the Knicks last season. If Mitchell plays like he has been, they should be in store for their best season since LeBron left town in 2019.

28 Years Old – Karl-Anthony Towns

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Honorable Mentions: Derrick White, Zach LaVine

When it comes to the group of players who are 28 years old in the NBA right now, only one was named an All-Star in 2023-24. After an injury-filled 2022-23 season, Karl-Anthony Towns has bounced back to have a season worthy of All-NBA Team consideration but also has the Timberwolves with legitimate title aspirations.

In 57 games this season, Towns has averaged 22.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game while shooting 51.2% from the field and 43.5% from three on 5.3 attempts. Towns’ adjustment to switching to the power forward spot has come full circle for the nine-year big man who now has a chance to compete deep into the playoffs for the first time in his career.

With Towns playing at this level, along with the support the team has gotten from their entire rotation, Minnesota is a team that should be feared in the playoffs this season.

29 Years Old – Nikola Jokic

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Honorable Mentions: Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo

By turning 29 years old on February 19, Nikola Jokic made this age group No. 1 of any age group in the NBA this season. With all due respect to the reigning MVP Joel Embiid and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic has once again taken the crown as the best player in the world, leaving them with just honorable mentions on this season’s list.

Following up his dominant 2022-23 championship run, Jokic once again has the Denver Nuggets in position to compete for a title in 2023-24. In 57 games this season, Jokic is averaging 25.9 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per game on 58.3% shooting from the field. As the NBA’s best frontcourt playmaker, Jokic has the Denver offense rolling toward the playoffs at 40-19 and third in the West right now just 2.0 games out of first.

Regardless of seeding in the playoffs, as defending champions, the Nuggets should be the favorites to repeat as NBA champions until any opponent can prove they have what it takes to render Jokic stagnant in a playoff series.

30 Years Old – Anthony Davis

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Honorable Mentions: Bradley Beal, Fred VanVleet

Of the 19 players who are 30 years old in the NBA this season, only one has had a significant impact on their team’s season. That one player is Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers who is arguably having the best season of his career on both sides of the ball despite the Lakers’ struggles as a whole.

With health being his biggest obstacle in recent years, Davis has responded to the critics, playing 56 of 60 games so far this season. He finds himself toward the top of the race for Defensive Player of the Year race while earning All-Star honors for the first time since 2020-21. In 2023-24, he is averaging 24.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game.

If the Lakers are to make a similar run to their 2023 Western Conference Finals appearance or better, Anthony Davis needs to remain playing at this level and beyond or they have zero chance to go back.

31 Years Old – Kyrie Irving

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Honorable Mentions: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Tobias Harris

For the 31-year-olds in the NBA in 2023-24, the choice for their best representative was as easy as it gets. For the first time in quite a while, Kyrie Irving looks to be free and joyous on the basketball court in Dallas with the Mavericks. Settling into his role playing next to superstar Luka Doncic, Irving has helped the Mavericks shed the stain of last year’s meltdown so far.

In 37 games in 2023-24, Irving is averaging 25.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game on 49/42/89 shooting splits, mirroring his efficiency during his time with the Nets when it was at an all-time high. Irving’s play makes him and Doncic one of the most dangerous duos in the NBA should they lock up a playoff spot and continue their pursuit of an NBA title together this year.

32 Years Old – Kawhi Leonard

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Honorable Mention: Khris Middleton

If I were being honest with you, there was a time when I thought we would never see Kawhi Leonard atop one of these lists again. His performance during 2023-24 so far, and the effect it has had on the Los Angeles Clippers as a result could not have proven me more wrong, and I am so glad I am.

Leonard has been healthy for the most part as well which is going to be an issue for most opponents when he enters playoff mode as we have seen in the past. Playing in 52 of 57 Clippers games this season, Leonard is averaging 24.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, shooting 52.9% from the floor in the process. Leonard earned All-Star honors for the first time since 2020-21 with his sights set on much bigger things for his team the rest of the way.

33 Years Old – Damian Lillard

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Honorable Mentions: Paul George, Jrue Holiday, Nikola Vucevic

After 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard began the 2023-24 season with a different franchise in the Milwaukee Bucks. Being paired alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, the best talent he has ever shared the court with in his career, took some time to adapt on the court but has finally come together for some beautiful basketball.

Lillard was named an All-Star starter for the East this year, averaging 24.5 points and 6.8 assists per game. Despite his lower efficiency at 42.5% overall and 34.4% from three, Lillard’s impact on the Bucks has been evident with their 38-21 record and third spot in the East so far. Lillard’s best chance at a championship could be this season and the way he is playing along with Giannis, it very well may happen.

34 Years Old – DeMar DeRozan

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Honorable Mentions: James Harden, Bojan Bogdanovic

As we begin to wind down this list, the amount of our favorite stars who are getting older keeps on growing. For the 34-year-olds in 2023-24, the list is slim to pick from but ultimately, the choice went to DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls. Yes, James Harden’s play has helped the Clippers surge up the standings this season but individually, DeRozan is the slightly better player.

In 57 games this year, DeRozan is averaging 22.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. He missed out on All-Star honors likely due to the lack of his team’s success thanks to their 28-31 overall record fighting for another Play-In spot. With free agency pending for DeRozan this season, the likelihood that another contending team will pursue him is increasing. If he wants to win the championship that has eluded him his entire career, he will get on the first flight out of Chicago.

35 Years Old – Stephen Curry

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Honorable Mentions: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook

While this selection is sure to stir up some controversy between the fanbase of both Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, we feel confident in our selection of Curry as the best 35-year-old in the NBA right now. While the Warriors have struggled this season, Curry has been his usual game-changing self, earning All-Star honors and playing at a level that has kept them in the hunt for at least a Play-In spot.

In 54 games this season, Curry is averaging 27.5 points and 5.1 assists per game on 45/41/92 shooting splits. His efficiency shooting the ball has been reminiscent of his MVP seasons in 2015 and 2016. Unfortunately, the support he has gotten on the floor has not been the same. Still, if the Warriors make a run to the NBA playoffs, they are always a threat to make a title run when Curry is healthy and playing well.

36 Years Old – Mike Conley Jr.

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Honorable Mention: Joe Ingles

As we begin our ascent to the ageless wonders of the NBA, Mike Conley Jr. has a firm hold on the top of the selection for the best 36-year-old in the league. Although his role has lessened since his days with the Grizzlies and Jazz, Conley’s leadership and control of play for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season has been incredible to watch.

In 52 starts this year, Conley is averaging 10.6 points, 6.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, still showing that he can impact a contending team on both sides of the ball. With Conley excelling at point guard for the Timberwolves, their 42-17 record could translate to a deep playoff run considering his playoff track record during his career.

37 Years Old – Al Horford

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Honorable Mention: Kyle Lowry

It is hard to find a super impactful 37-year-old player when taking a look around the NBA in 202-24 but none affect a team like Al Horford does. Even as he has been pushed to the bench in 2023-24, Horford has stepped up and led the second unit for the NBA-leading Boston Celtics as they cruise toward the East’s No. 1 seed.

In 48 games, Horford is averaging 7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game for Boston at 27.0 minutes per game played as well. Horford’s contributions defensively, and his leadership in the locker room, will be the most underrated part of a Celtics run to the NBA championship if that’s where they end up this season

38 Years Old – Chris Paul

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Honorable Mentions: P.J Tucker, Taj Gibson

As one of just three 38-year-olds in the NBA this season, Chris Paul is an easy selection for the best in 2023-24. Although an injury derailed his momentum for a possible Sixth Man of the Year run, Paul has had a far bigger impact on the Warriors than P.J. Tucker or Taj Gibson have had on their teams.

In 33 appearances, Paul is averaging 8.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. His presence on the second unit is much-needed for a Warriors team trying to navigate serious struggles in 2023-24. Paul can only help, not hurt, their chance of a playoff berth while it may be his last chance at an NBA title in his career.

39 Years Old – LeBron James

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Honorable Mention: N/A

Nobody expects the oldest player in the NBA to be one of the best at the same time. Unless that player’s name is LeBron James. As he continues to defy the odds and rewrite the laws of biology, James remains a top 10-15 player in the NBA this year, having the greatest season by a 39-year-old we have ever seen in history.

In 52 games, James is averaging 25.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game while shooting 52.6% from the floor. Age has been an issue as it takes longer for him to recover from minor injuries and needing rest more than usual. However, the Lakers currently find themselves in a fight to remain in the Play-In Tournament for the Western Conference. The only way they can stay in that fight and come out victorious is with James on the court to lead the way.