Who is the oldest NBA player in the league as of February 2023?

Miami Heat veteran Udonis Haslem holds the distinction of being the oldest NBA player today. At 42 years old, Haslem is a whole four years older than Andre Iguodala in second place for the title of oldest NBA player. While Haslem rarely checks into games these days, it's no secret that he plays an integral role in the Miami Heat's success.

This season, Haslem has appeared in just six games, averaging a career-low .5 points per game to go with a career-low 8.3% shooting. In Year 20, the fact that Haslem, at 42 years old, suits up for games at all is pretty staggering. However, this season will be Haslem's last.

After re-signing with the Miami Heat over the summer on a one-year $2.9 million deal, Haslem announced that this season will be his last. At the time, he spoke about his decision to CBS Sports, explaining that his father's death last season changed things for him. Despite that, he wanted to make good on his plan to play 20 NBA seasons (after spending his first pro season in France).

"An ending that I never envisioned, an ending that's hard," Haslem said. "You have somebody that plays above you, a mentor, a best friend, hero, my dad played it all. It just changed.

"I have decided to follow through with what me and my father have talked about, and I will finish what I started and I will play 20 years. I will play this year, because I talked about that with my father."

Udonis Haslem's impact on the Miami Heat as the oldest NBA player

While Haslem doesn't play the minutes or have the same impact as LeBron James does in Year 20, it's no secret he's one of the Heat's biggest locker-room influences. As the oldest NBA player, throughout his 20-year career, he has played big minutes in all three of the team's championship runs.

During the 2005-06 season that saw Dwyane Wade lead the team to an NBA title, a third-year Haslem averaged 30.8 minutes per game. During the back-to-back run of the Heatles of Wade, James and Chris Bosh, Haslem averaged 24.8 mpg in 2011-12 and 18.9 in 2012-13.

Given that, it's no wonder the team values him as a locker-room influence over young players as the team looks to win another title. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra spoke about Haslem's importance in the locker room despite being the oldest NBA player. During a media scrum this offseason, he spoke about Haslem's impact on Heat Culture.

“I love having him in our locker room," Spoelstra said. "I love having him lead and mentor every single day. I think his genius is the fact that he’s developing mentors around him, the next round of mentors, the guys who will really be caretakers for this culture and really help bring along other guys.

“It’s really an amazing quality that UD has. He has such a serving heart.”

Haslem is Florida basketball royalty. His father, John, played for Stetson University in Florida, and Haslem, after transferring from a school in Jacksonville, led Miami Senior High to state titles. He then helped the University of Florida to a national championship game appearance, the school's first, in 2000. Haslem was inducted into UF's Hall of Fame in 2012.

Haslem and James are among only 10 players who have played at least 20 NBA seasons.

As the oldest NBA player looks on toward the next step of his life, many have continued to wonder whether he will return as a coach for the Heat.

Only time will tell.