Thirty-nine-year-old Lindsey Hunter ended his playing career this past season after being released by the Chicago Bulls and immediately joining the team’s front office. nba playoff Upon Hunter’s retirement, Shaquille O’Neal became the oldest player in the NBA at 38 years of age — edging out the likes of Grant Hill, Juwan Howard, Jason Kidd and Theo Ratliff.
In truth, 38 isn’t very old for the oldest player in the NBA. Kevin Willis, who retired in 2007, played until he was 45 years old. Nat Hickey of the 1947-48 Providence Steamrollers even played in the association at nearly 46, making him the oldest ever.Of course, nobody really knows how old Dikembe Mutumbo was nba playoff when he retired.Other legends too played into their forties. Karl Malone tried to win a ring with the Lakers when he was in his fifth decade, and long-time teammate John Stockton played until he was 41 too.Celtics legend Robert Parish played until he was 43 years old, even winning a ring on the Chicago Bulls’ bench.