No. of seasons played Player Pos. Team Career Notes Ref.

21 ^ F Dallas Mavericks 1998–present Drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1998 and traded to the Mavericks. Nowitzki played for the German club DJK Würzburg from 1994 to 1998. [6]

16 ^ F Miami Heat 2003–present Went undrafted in 2002, but signed as a free agent with the Heat a year later [11]

16 † G San Antonio Spurs 2002–2018 Drafted by the Spurs in 1999, but did not enter the NBA until 2002 [12]

14 * C San Antonio Spurs 1989–2003 Drafted by the Spurs in 1987, but did not enter the NBA until 1989 due to his commitment with the Navy[22] [23]

13 * F Boston Celtics 1979–1992 Drafted by the Celtics in 1978, but did not enter the NBA until 1979, after his college graduation[30] [31]

11 ^ G Oklahoma City Thunder 2008–present Drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics, however, the franchise relocated to Oklahoma six days later. [42]