Only twenty eight players in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) have played 19 or more seasons in their respective careers. In 1985âÂÂ86 NBA season, 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 1988âÂÂ89 NBA season with a record 20 seasons played. Robert Parish broke the mark in 1996âÂÂ97 NBA season, when he retired after 21 seasons, and Kevin Willis tied him in his final season in 2006âÂÂ07 NBA season. They were joined by Kevin Garnett in 2015âÂÂ16 NBA season when he began his 21st season. The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant was the first NBA player to spend 20 seasons with one team. In 2018âÂÂ19 NBA season, Dirk Nowitzki surpassed Bryant with 21 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. In 2019âÂÂ20 NBA season, Vince Carter became the first player to play 22 seasons in the NBA. In 2025âÂÂ26 NBA season, LeBron James surpassed this record by playing in his 23rd season.