Since we last checked in on the NBA’s longest-tenured players by team one year ago, a handful of names who were in the top 10 have parted ways with their former clubs.
That group includes Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had been with the Bucks since he was drafted 15th overall in the 2013 draft. The two-time MVP is now a member of the Heat after being traded this summer.
Jaylen Brown is no longer on the list either after he was traded by the Celtics to the Sixers, with longtime former teammate Jayson Tatum now the longest-tenured member of Boston’s roster.
Dwight Powell, who was No. 5 on last year’s list, is currently still a free agent, so we’re no longer counting him as a member of the Mavericks. The Grizzlies and Hawks have new longest-tenured players as well after trading Jaren Jackson Jr. and Trae Young, respectively, before February’s deadline. Jackson and Young had been with their previous teams since the 2018 draft.
In addition to Milwaukee, Boston, Dallas, Memphis and Atlanta, teams with a new longest-tenured player include the Hornets, Knicks, Lakers, Clippers and Cavaliers, who have parted ways with Miles Bridges, Mitchell Robinson, LeBron James, Ivica Zubac and Darius Garland within the past year.
The top name on our list remains unchanged, as Stephen Curry – a member of the Warriors since 2009 – is still the player who has been with his current club for the longest period. He’s entering his 18th season with Golden State this fall.
Because our list includes just one player per team, Draymond Green doesn’t show up in the space below, but if we were simply listing the players who have been with their current clubs the longest, he’d own the No. 2 spot behind Curry, having been with the Warriors since being drafted in 2012. Jamal Murray (a Nugget since June 2016) is another player who would place highly on that version of the list.
Here’s each team’s longest-tenured player, along with how he was acquired:
(Note: This is a snapshot as of September 6, 2026 and won’t be updated throughout the season. Because this list only features each team’s longest-tenured player, one player per team is listed.)
- Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry (draft), June 2009
- Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid (draft), June 2014
- Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic (draft), June 2014
- Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker (draft), June 2015
- Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum (draft), June 2017
- Orlando Magic: Jonathan Isaac (draft), June 2017
- Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo (draft), June 2017
- New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson (draft), June 2019
- San Antonio Spurs: Keldon Johnson (draft), June 2019
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (trade), July 2019
- Indiana Pacers: T.J. McConnell (free agent), July 2019
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards (draft), November 2020
- Jaden McDaniels was drafted on the same day as Edwards, but Edwards was selected No. 1 overall, whereas McDaniels was the 28th selection.
- Chicago Bulls: Patrick Williams (draft), November 2020
- Atlanta Hawks: Onyeka Okongwu (draft), November 2020
- Houston Rockets: Jae’Sean Tate (free agent), November 2020
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Jarrett Allen (trade), January 2021
- Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham (draft), July 2021
- Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes (draft), July 2021
- Brooklyn Nets: Day’Ron Sharpe (draft), July 2021
- New York Knicks: Miles McBride (draft trade), July 2021
- Los Angeles Lakers: Austin Reaves (free agent), August 2021
- Sacramento Kings: Domantas Sabonis (trade), February 2022
- Portland Trail Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe (draft), June 2022
- Milwaukee Bucks: A.J. Green (free agent), July 2022
- Utah Jazz: Lauri Markkanen (trade), September 2022
- Dallas Mavericks: Kyrie Irving (trade), February 2023
- Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller (draft), June 2023
- Washington Wizards: Bilal Coulibaly (draft), June 2023
- Memphis Grizzlies: GG Jackson II (draft), June 2023
- Los Angeles Clippers: Jordan Miller (draft), June 2023
While it’s a safe bet that many players on this list will remain the same when we check in again during the summer of 2027, it’s a lock we’ll see some changes too. Which players do you expect to change teams and come off this list in the next 12 months?
