The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a men's professional basketball league of 30 teams in North America (29 in the United States and one in Canada). The NBA was founded on June 6, 1946, in New York City, as the Basketball Association of America (BAA).[1] The league adopted the NBA name at the start of the 1949–50 season when it merged with the National Basketball League (NBL).[2] The NBA is an active member of USA Basketball, which is recognized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) as the national governing body for basketball in the country.[3] The league is considered to be one of the four major professional sports leagues of North America.[4]
![](http://178.128.105.246/cars-http-upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/DirkNowitzki.jpg/170px-DirkNowitzki.jpg)
The NBA operates on a franchise model in a closed system with no promotion or relegation to other leagues and no affiliated academies for amateur athletes.[5] The franchises are governed by their ownership and the NBA Board of Governors, allowing for franchises to change locations, team branding, mascots, staff, and player rosters. During the NBA draft, franchises select players who have not previously held a contract in the league and have declared themselves eligible.
In the early years of the league, a player's place on the roster was primarily determined by team ownership and management. In 1970, Hall of Fame player and then-President of the NBA Players Association Oscar Robertson sued the league, putting in motion the establishment of Free Agency in 1976.[6] With player movement now having multiple decision makers and the constraints of the NBA salary cap, a player and franchise ownership would have to agree to a continuous relationship, taking into the account the player's impact, the team's performance goals, and the financial expectations from both sides, decreasing the likelihood a player would spend more than ten years with the same team [7]
The players listed have spent their entire NBA career, of at least 10 seasons played, with one franchise. Dirk Nowitzki holds the record, having played all of his 21 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. Next is Kobe Bryant, who played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Udonis Haslem, who played for the Miami Heat for all of his 20 seasons in the NBA. Hall of Famer John Stockton spent his entire 19-year playing career with the Utah Jazz, while Tim Duncan also played 19 years solely for the San Antonio Spurs, and Reggie Miller spent 18 NBA seasons with the Indiana Pacers.[8]
Some notable players who were disqualified from this list include Karl Malone (who had previously spent 18 seasons with the Utah Jazz before signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2003), Hakeem Olajuwon (who had spent his first 17 seasons in the league playing for the Houston Rockets before being traded to the Toronto Raptors in 2001), Tony Parker (who played 17 seasons for the San Antonio Spurs before signing with the Charlotte Hornets in 2018), Michael Jordan (who retired twice from the Chicago Bulls in 13 seasons before a brief comeback for the Washington Wizards), and Patrick Ewing (who played 15 seasons for the New York Knicks before being traded to the Seattle SuperSonics in 2000).
Stephen Curry is the leader among active players, having played 15 seasons with the Golden State Warriors.
All-time list
editKey
Pos. | G | F | C |
Position | Guard | Forward | Center |
Note: This list is accurate through June 22, 2023
^ | Denotes player who is still active in the NBA |
* | Denotes player who has been inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame |
† | Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[9] |
Future candidates
editPlayer | Pos. | Team | Years | Draft | Seasons | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nikola Jokić^ | C | Denver Nuggets | 9 | 2014, 41st | 2015–present | Played overseas in the 2014–15 season. |
Karl-Anthony Towns^ | F | Minnesota Timberwolves | 9 | 2015, 1st | 2015–present | |
Myles Turner^ | C | Indiana Pacers | 9 | 2015, 11th | 2015–present | |
Devin Booker^ | G | Phoenix Suns | 9 | 2015, 13th | 2015–present | |
Kevon Looney^ | C | Golden State Warriors | 9 | 2015, 30th | 2015–present | |
Joel Embiid^ | C | Philadelphia 76ers | 8 | 2014, 3rd | 2016–present | Missed his first two years in the league because of injury. |
Jaylen Brown^ | G | Boston Celtics | 8 | 2016, 3rd | 2016–present | |
Jamal Murray^ | G | Denver Nuggets | 7 | 2016, 7th | 2016–present | Missed the entire 2021–22 season due to injury. |
Jayson Tatum^ | F | Boston Celtics | 7 | 2017, 3rd | 2017–present | |
De'Aaron Fox^ | G | Sacramento Kings | 7 | 2017, 5th | 2017–present | |
Bam Adebayo^ | C | Miami Heat | 7 | 2017, 14th | 2017–present | |
Maxi Kleber^ | F | Dallas Mavericks | 7 | 2017, undrafted | 2017–present |
Disqualified players
editSee also
edit- NBA records
- List of National Basketball Association seasons played leaders
- List of one-club men in association football
- List of one-club men in rugby league
- List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise
- List of NHL players who spent their entire career with one franchise
- List of National Football League players who spent their entire career with one franchise
References
editGeneral
- Grasso, John. "Players Who Played Their Entire Careers With One Franchise". The Association for Professional Basketball Research. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
Specific
- ^ Goldaper, Sam. "The First Game". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
- ^ "1949–50 Season Overview: Powerful Lakers Repeat". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
- ^ "Inside USA Basketball". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
- ^ Pennington, Bill (April 4, 2003). "Drugs; Anti-Doping Executive Plans to Prod Pro Leagues". The New York Times. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
- ^ "Steve James: The Twenty20 franchise system simply will not work". Daily Telegraph, London, UK. 18 April 2010.
- ^ "Free agency is a lie that keeps NBA players shackled to teams". 28 June 2019.
- ^ "How free agency changed NBA team building". 7 September 2016.
- ^ Shapiro, Michael (July 23, 2018). "Dirk Nowitzki Set To Make History For Most Seasons With One Team". Spots Illustrated. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
- ^ A player is not eligible for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame until he has been fully retired for three calendar years.
- ^ "Dirk Nowitzki Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Kobe Bryant Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Udonis Haslem Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Tim Duncan Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "John Stockton Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Reggie Miller Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Manu Ginobili Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "John Havlicek Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Dolph Schayes Bio". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Dolph Schayes Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Hal Greer Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Stephen Curry Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ^ "First-rounder needs shoulder surgery". ESPN.com. October 4, 2003. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "Nick Collison Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "Elgin Baylor Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Jerry West Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Joe Dumars Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ Anderson, Dave (May 18, 1987). "Sports of the Times; The Robinson Plot Thickens". The New York Times. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "David Robinson Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Bill Russell Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Tom Sanders Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Wes Unseld Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Calvin Murphy Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Fred Brown Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Alvan Adams Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Larry Bird Bio". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "Larry Bird Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Magic Johnson Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Kevin McHale Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Isiah Thomas Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Jeff Foster Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Sam Jones Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
- ^ "Michael Cooper Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
- ^ "James Worthy Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
- ^ "Nate McMillan Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
- ^ "Rik Smits Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
- ^ "Bob Pettit Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
- ^ "Jack Twyman Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
- ^ "Al Attles Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
- ^ "Rudy Tomjanovich Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
- ^ "Julius Erving Bio". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
- ^ "Julius Erving Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
- ^ "Mark Eaton Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
- ^ "Vern Mikkelsen Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "Paul Arizin Bio". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "Paul Arizin Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "Suns Add Al Bianchi to Coaching Staff". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 18, 2002. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "Al Bianchi Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ McCallum, Jack (October 24, 2008). "Wait over, Oden is ready to go". Sports Illustrated. Time Warner Company. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "Cliff Hagan Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "Willis Reed Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ Mann, Jack (February 7, 1966). "Just A Guy At Oxford". Sports Illustrated. Time Warner Company. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "Bill Bradley Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "Tom Boerwinkle Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "Allen Leavell Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "1985–86: "The Mailman" Delivers A Winning Season". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "Darrell Griffith Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "Karl Malone Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Hakeem Olajuwon Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Tony Parker Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Patrick Ewing Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Paul Pierce Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Dwyane Wade Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Kevin Garnett Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Bob Cousy Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Michael Jordan Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Chris Mullin Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Gary Payton Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Derek Fisher Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Anderson Varejão Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Carl Braun Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Sam Lacey Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Dominique Wilkins Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Clyde Drexler Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Derek Harper Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Scottie Pippen Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Lindsey Hunter Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Allen Iverson Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Zydrunas Ilgauskas Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Tayshaun Prince Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Mike Conley Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Red Kerr Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Nate Thurmond Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Lou Hudson Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Walter Davis Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Tree Rollins Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Maurice Cheeks Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Rolando Blackman Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Byron Scott Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Vern Fleming Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Jerome Kersey Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Kevin Willis Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Sean Elliott Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Michael Redd Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Kirk Hinrich Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "LeBron James Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "J. J. Barea Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Marc Gasol Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Russell Westbrook Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Bradley Beal Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Damian Lillard Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "He's back! Klay Thompson returns to Warriors after 941-day injury layoff". theguardian.com. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
- ^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Robert Parish Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Bill Laimbeer Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Brad Davis Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Kevin Johnson Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Paul Seymour Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Don Nelson Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Alex English Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Alonzo Mourning Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "Khris Middleton Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.