List of National Basketball Association seasons played leaders
Seasons played leaders

Rank
Player
Position
Team(s)
Seasons
1
Robert Parish*
C
Golden State Warriors (1976–1980) Boston Celtics (1980–1994) Charlotte Hornets (1994–1996) Chicago Bulls (1996–1997)
21
1
Kevin Willis
PF / C
Atlanta Hawks (1984–1995, 2004–2005) Miami Heat (1994–1996) Golden State Warriors (1996) Houston Rockets (1996–1998, 2001–2002) Toronto Raptors (1998–2001) Denver Nuggets (2001) San Antonio Spurs (2002–2004) Dallas Mavericks (2007)
21
1
Kevin Garnett§
PF / C
Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–2007, 2015–2016) Boston Celtics (2007–2013) Brooklyn Nets (2013–2015)
21
1
Vince Carter^
SG/SF
Toronto Raptors (1998–2004) New Jersey Nets (2004–2009) Orlando Magic (2009–2010) Phoenix Suns (2010–2011) Dallas Mavericks (2011–2014) Memphis Grizzlies (2014–2017) Sacramento Kings (2017–2018) Atlanta Hawks (2018–present)
21
1
Dirk Nowitzki†
PF
Dallas Mavericks (1998–2019)
21
6
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*
C
Milwaukee Bucks (1969–1975) Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989)
20
6
Kobe Bryant§
SG
Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2016)
20
8
Moses Malone*
C
Buffalo Braves (1976) Houston Rockets (1976–1982) Philadelphia 76ers (1982–1986, 1993–1994) Washington Bullets (1986–1988) Atlanta Hawks (1988–1991) Milwaukee Bucks (1991–1993) San Antonio Spurs (1994–1995)
19
8
James Edwards
C
Los Angeles Lakers (1977, 1992–1994) Indiana Pacers (1977–1981) Cleveland Cavaliers (1981–1983) Phoenix Suns (1983–1988) Detroit Pistons (1988–1991) Los Angeles Clippers (1991–1992) Portland Trail Blazers (1994–1995) Chicago Bulls (1995–1996)
19
8
John Stockton*
PG
Utah Jazz (1984–2003)
19
8
Karl Malone*
PF
Utah Jazz (1985–2003) Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)
19
8
Charles Oakley
PF / C
Chicago Bulls (1985–1988, 2001–2002) New York Knicks (1988–1998) Toronto Raptors (1998–2001) Washington Wizards (2002–2003) Houston Rockets (2004)
19
8
Shaquille O'Neal*
C
Orlando Magic (1992–1996) Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2004) Miami Heat (2004–2008) Phoenix Suns (2008–2009) Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2010) Boston Celtics (2010–2011)
19
8
Juwan Howard
PF / C
Washington Bullets / Wizards (1994–2001) Dallas Mavericks (2001–2002, 2007–2008) Denver Nuggets (2002–2003, 2008) Orlando Magic (2003–2004) Houston Rockets (2004–2007) Charlotte Bobcats (2008–2009) Portland Trail Blazers (2009–2010) Miami Heat (2010–2013)
19
8
Jason Kidd*
PG
Dallas Mavericks (1994–1996, 2008–2012) Phoenix Suns (1996–2001) New Jersey Nets (2001–2008) New York Knicks (2012–2013)
19
8
Tim Duncan§
PF / C
San Antonio Spurs (1997–2016)
19
8
Paul Pierce†
SG/SF
Boston Celtics (1998–2013) Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014) Washington Wizards (2014–2015) Los Angeles Clippers (2015–2017)
19
8
Jason Terry†
G
Atlanta Hawks (1999–2004) Dallas Mavericks (2004–2012) Boston Celtics (2012–2013) Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014) Houston Rockets (2014–2016) Milwaukee Bucks (2016–2018)
19
8
Jamal Crawford^
G
Chicago Bulls (2000–2004) New York Knicks (2004–2008) Golden State Warriors (2008–2009) Atlanta Hawks (2009–2011) Portland Trail Blazers (2011–2012) Los Angeles Clippers (2012–2017) Minnesota Timberwolves (2017–2018) Phoenix Suns (2018–present)
19

Question: Who was the first guard to play 20 seasons in the NBA?
Answer: Kobe Bryant was the first guard to play 20 seasons in the NBA.