10 NBA stars aging through Media Day photos, from rookie years to now

The NBA Media Day has concluded, marking the start of a new season and prompting a reflection on how even the greatest athletes age over time. It is highlighted as an opportunity to look back at rookie photoshoots of major stars and observe the changes in their appearances throughout their careers.

NBA fans have witnessed an extension in the careers of today's top players compared to legends of the past. For instance, Michael Jordan played 14.5 seasons, while Bill Russell and Larry Bird each played 13 seasons. In contrast, several future Hall of Famers are surpassing 20 years in the league, with LeBron James entering his 23rd season in 2025-26, Chris Paul his 21st, and Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry not far behind in longevity.

With the NBA preseason underway, the focus shifts to examining classic and current Media Day photoshoots to see how time has impacted prominent players. Specific updates include Giannis Antetokounmpo missing media day due to illness, leading to the use of an older photo from EuroBasket, and Luka Dončić gaining 14 pounds since last year's training camp, which is noted as a logical change. Additionally, Anthony Edwards received advice from Michael Jordan on post scoring, potentially influencing his upcoming season.

Other related news elements include rankings of the biggest challengers to Cooper Flagg for NBA Rookie of the Year, mentions of players likely to rise on ESPN's top-100 list next year, and references to preseason content such as MVP rankings and predictions for the 2026 NBA Playoffs, all contributing to the broader narrative of the new NBA season and player developments.