The Best NBA Players Over 30 Years Old, Ranked

Image via Getty/Noah Graham

Age: 32 years old 

Despite a disappointing playoff performance, Jrue Holiday put together a solid season. Without Khris Middleton for much of the season, Holiday had to take on a bit more responsibility to help the Bucks retain their dominance in the East during the regular season. He did just that, tallying the second highest scoring average of his career (19.3) and upping his assist mark to 7.4. While his offensive play was stellar, Jrue’s impact defensively was elite as he notched first team All-Defensive honors for the third time in his career. He was an All-Star for the first time since 2013, when he was a Philadelphia Sixer. 

Age: 31 years old

When you remove the drama and off-the-court noise from the conversation, you have to realize there aren’t many people who can put on a show like Kyrie Irving can.  A player that can dominate you on all three levels and virtually make any shot from any spot on the court regardless of who’s guarding him, Kyrie is one the most skilled players the game has ever. Despite his situation in Brooklyn turning sour and the Mavericks still missing the playoffs after the big acquisition, Kyrie still had a great season individually. He averaged 27.0 points per game on efficient shooting to go along with 5.5 assists per game and 5.1 rebounds per game. All eyes will be on Kyrie this summer to see where his next destination might be if he chooses to leave Dallas. 

Age: 33 years old

Paul George is one of the top wings in a league that is dominated by wings, so his spot on the list should come as no surprise. Despite a knee sprain that kept him out of the postseason, George was once again named an All-Star this past season while averaging 24.7 points per game for the Clippers. A clear-cut Hall of Famer, he can score from anywhere on the floor and is still a menace defensively when engaged and locked in. Health is the biggest knock against George at this point, but the talent and ability are still as sharp as ever.

Age: 33 years old

The end to Harden’s season, and possibly tenure, with the Philadelphia 76ers was an ugly one. He scored just 22 combined points over the last two games of their series loss to the Boston Celtics, and is believed to have played a key role in the firing of head coach Doc rivers. But in between those two stinkers, he did deliver two 40-point explosions against the Celtics, one of which was a Game 1 road win without Joel Embiid. After leading the NBA in assists for the season, Harden remains one of the premier point guards in the NBA. But he is clearly past his prime, and relying on him in tight spots still proves to be a risky proposition.

Age: 31 years old

Saying Kawhi Leonard is one of the biggest “what if’s” in NBA history might sound outrageous considering he is a two-time champion and Finals MVP along with being on the NBA’s 75 year anniversary team. But with all that he has accomplished, there is an argument to be made that he has left even more on the table due to injuries. Leonard looked the part of the best player in the world through two games against the Suns in the first round of the playoffs before another knee injury derailed another promising postseason from him. He is undeniably one of the best players in the league, but his lack of consistent availability in key moments is what hurts him compared to his counterparts ahead of him on this list.

Age: 33 years old 

Playoff Jimmy Butler is no longer a myth. It’s real. When the postseason comes along, Jimmy Butler turns into a top 5 player in the association. We’ve seen him will the Miami Heat to deep playoff runs on different occasions but this year, he’s taken it to another level. With a depleted team due to injuries and some inexperienced rotation players, Jimmy has carried to the Eastern Conference Finals and stole game 1 from Boston. He dropped 56 points and 42 points in consecutive games to eliminate the No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks. He’s having one of the greatest individual playoff runs we’ve ever seen. Every weakness you thought he had disappears in the postseason. His regular season wasn’t too shabby either, garnering All-NBA second team honors.

Age: 34 years old 

When Kevin Durant was on the floor this season, he was absolutely special. Whether it was his final days in Brooklyn or his start with the Phoenix Suns, Durant at times still had a legit argument to hold the crown as the best player in the world. In the 48 games he played in the regular season between the Nets and Suns, he put together a 50-40-90 season. Not to mention the defensive impact he had in Brooklyn. Granted it was a smaller sample size but we all know who he is. KD’s last two playoffs runs have unfortunately have included embarrassing exits but he still put up 29-9-6 in 11 games with the Suns. 

Age: 38 years old 

If this list was made in February, it would have been hard to argue against the King for the top spot. He averaged 33.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.2 assists while breaking the NBA’s all-time scoring record and keeping the Lakers afloat for the month. A foot injury has zapped some of the explosiveness that had James still amongst the NBA’s elite, but make no mistake, he is still one of the best players on the planet. He’s been a consistent 24 PPG and 10 RPG for the Lakers on their improbable run to the Western Conference Finals, while playing high-level defense. If he can reach another gear over the remainder of this playoff run, and somehow secure a fifth title, it will be hard to argue anybody on this list over James.