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The 2021-22 NBA season seems like an enticing campaign to look forward to, with huge roster changes coming in for multiple franchises. The LA Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are a few teams that have made major changes so far.
While some teams continued to rely on a youthful roster for next season, others opted to bolster a relatively older but experienced squad in the hopes of claiming the 2022 NBA title.
On that note, we list the five oldest rosters in the NBA ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season, which is scheduled to start mid-October.
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Which teams have the oldest rosters ahead of the 2021-22 NBA Season?
#5 Brooklyn Nets - Average Age: 28.0 years
The Brooklyn Nets came really close to reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2021 NBA Playoffs. They lost Game 7 of that series against the Milwaukee Bucks in overtime after Kevin Durant's heroics led them to have an OT contest in the first place.
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Injuries played a huge role in their unfortunate playoffs campaign, as Kyrie Irving and James Harden were both sidelined for multiple games in the series against the Bucks.
Nonetheless, they are looking to run it back with their 'big-three' again and have managed to retain most of their players for next season. The Nets roster composition is fairly decent concerning the average age of their roster.
However, they are still fifth on the list of the oldest rosters in the NBA heading into next season. The oldest player on their roster is 34-year old veteran James Johnson. The Nets' youngest players are Cameron Thomas and Day'Ron Sharpe, both aged 19. Most of their key players are in their prime, which will benefit them largely in the 2021-22 NBA campaign.
Brooklyn is the odds-no-favorite to win the NBA Championship next season.
#4 Milwaukee Bucks - Average Age: 28.2 years
The 2021 NBA champions Milwaukee Bucks are next on the list. The Bucks have decided to stick to their core for next season. Apart from the departures of PJ Tucker and Bryn Forbes, the majority of their squad is the same for the 2021-22 NBA campaign as it was last time out. Mike Budenholzer's side will be hoping they can defend their title successfully with this move.
The Bucks' average roster age is 28.2 years. They only have four players aged 30 or more on their roster, with George Hill being the oldest at 35. Most of their players are either in their mid-20s or nearing their 30s. On paper, it seems like the ideal average roster age for a team looking to defend their title next season.
#3 Miami Heat - Average age: 28.4 years
The Miami Heat are looking to make the NBA Finals for the second time in three seasons next campaign. They were one of the busiest teams in the offseason and secured a deal to acquire long-term target Kyle Lowry. They now have a fiercesome 'big-three' of their own, comprising Lowry, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
The Heat have also added veterans like PJ Tucker and Markieff Morris to their roster and will be hoping they can achieve better results this time around in the postseason. They were swept by the Milwaukee Bucks 0-4 in the first round in the 2020-21 season.
Miami have the oldest player in the league, Udonis Haslem, on their roster for next season. The veteran is aged 41, heading into next season. They have five players in their 30s at the moment, including talisman Jimmy Butler and 36-year old Kyle Lowry. The youngest player on the roster is third-year guard Tyler Herro, who is currently 21 years old.
The Miami Heat will hope the experience on their roster will help them mount serious challenges in the regular NBA season and postseason.
#2 Utah Jazz - Average Age: 28.4 years
The Utah Jazz will be heading into next season with the second oldest roster. The Jazz had a terrific regular-season campaign last year but failed to carry that momentum into the 2021 NBA Playoffs. They blew a 2-0 lead against the LA Clippers and were once again stopped from reaching the Conference Finals.
The Jazz finished with the best NBA record last season (52-20). It was important for them to make sure that the majority of their players are back for next season. The Jazz have gone on to sign many veterans this offseason, most of them being over the age of 30.
The Jazz have seven players aged 30 or more, with Rudy Gay being the oldest at 35. The youngest player on the roster is 21-year-old Jared Butler.
#1 LA Lakers - Average Age: 31.8
The LA Lakers had one of the oldest squads last season and are now leading the list for the same. It comes as no surprise, especially after they went after a plethora of veterans in free agency. The Lakers had very little cap flexibility and tradeable assets in the NBA offseason.
It was even worse after they acquired Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards. The Lakers have given up assets like Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Montrezl Harrell, along with the #22 pick this summer.
The LA Lakers ended up signing five players aged 30 or more in 2021 NBA free agency on veteran minimum contracts. They already had two players above the age of 35 in their rotation last season with LeBron James and Marc Gasol.
The Lakers now have eight players on their roster out of 12 aged 30 or more heading into the 2021-22 NBA season. Five of these players are aged 35 or more, with Carmelo Anthony the oldest at 37.
It's a team with plenty of experience on their roster, which once again sees them become one of the favorites to win the NBA championship. If they manage to do so, it will be their second championship in three seasons.
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