Ranking Players with Most Assists in NBA History: John Stockton, Chris Paul, LeBron James, and More

In basketball, an assist refers to a player passing the ball to another player in a way that facilitates the scoring opportunity to grab a bucket. Assists can be considered as an artwork, showcasing a player's skills and IQ to navigate through the court and create the best scoring opportunities for their teammates. However, it’s worth noting how assists are no more a thing for the point guards to worry about anymore.

Whether it’s LeBron James playing as a point forward or Nikola Jokic dishing dimes as a center, assists have become an essential stat that every player wants to rack up on their sheets. In this article, we will dive deeper into knowing about the players who have dished out the most assists in NBA history.

Who has the Most Assists in NBA History?

The player with the most assists in NBA history is John Stockton. Playing his entire 19-year career with the Utah Jazz (1984-2003), Stockton amassed an incredible 15,806 career assists. This record is considered one of the most unbreakable in the NBA due to his remarkable longevity, consistent elite playmaking, and exceptional durability, missing very few games throughout his career.

To put his record in perspective, the second player on the all-time list, Chris Paul, is over 3,000 assists behind Stockton. Even active players like LeBron James, who has NBA assist record, would need several more highly productive seasons to even approach Stockton's total.

Ranking 10 NBA All-Time Assist Leaders

The NBA All-Time Assists list consists of names both new and old. Although some of the old, with standing records have been broken by players of the current generation, the younger players are also leveling up to an extent to match up with the legends in this list. The list of the most NBA assist records consists of some familiar names such as Chris Paul, John Stockton, and LeBron James, alongside some legends of the game such as Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson. Let’s have a closer look at these players who have the most assists in NBA history.

#10 Isiah Thomas (9,061 Assists)

Isiah Thomas was a point guard for the Detroit Pistons for 13 seasons, from 1981 to 1994. Also known as Zeke, Thomas was an integral part of the Pistons team, which was also known as the ‘Bad Boy Pistons.’ Zeke’s Pistons were known for their aggressive and physical nature of basketball, with Zeke being the sole facilitator and space-creator in the team. Thomas led his team to back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, earning the NBA Finals MVP award in 1990. A 12-time NBA All-Star, he also garnered two NBA All-Star Game MVP awards (1984, 1986). Thomas was a three-time All-NBA First Team selection and the 1985 NBA assists leader. Having played a total of 979 games, Thomas has dished out 9,061 dimes, making him rank 10th on the list of most assists in NBA history.

#9 Oscar Robertson (9,887 Assists)

Oscar Robertson is one of the earliest superstars of the NBA. Robertson is remembered for not just his basketball skills, but also for revolutionizing the rights of NBA players as well. Robertson was an integral part of the Robertson v. National Basketball Association judgment of 1970. This landmark NBA antitrust suit, filed by Robertson, reformed the league’s free agency and draft rules, allowing players to draw higher salaries as they do today. He is renowned for being the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season (1961-62: 30.8 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 11.4 APG). Robertson led the league in assists six times and was crowned NBA Most Valuable Player in 1964. His incredible all-around game also contributed to an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971. A 12-time NBA All-Star, a 9-time All-NBA First Team selection, and the 1961 NBA Rookie of the Year

Robertson was in the league for 14 seasons, having played 1,040 career games and dishing 9,887 dimes. This stat makes him rank 9th on this list of the most assists in NBA history.

#8 Russell Westbrook (9,925 Assists)

Russell Westbrook is everything that one should expect from a modern day point guard. Russ has the speed and agility of a two-way guard and can be both facilitator and a scorer whenever he’s required to show up for his team. Russ is currently an active NBA player, playing his 17th season in the league with the Denver Nuggets.

Having played a career total of 1,219 NBA games, Russ has dished out 9,888 assists to date, making him rank 8th in this list. He recently passed Oscar Robertson to rank higher up in this list. However, there is a high possibility of Russ climbing up the list by the time he decides to hang up his sneakers.

#7 Magic Johnson (10,141 Assists)

Magic Johnson is considered to be one of the greatest point guards of all time. Johnson was a part of the Showtime Lakers, which maintained a high level of rivalry with the Boston Celtics, where Larry Bird was playing. Johnson played alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and helped the Lakers win five championships during his tenure. His impact transcended statistics, leading the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA championships (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988). Magic earned three NBA Finals MVP awards and three NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards (1987, 1989, 1990). A 12-time NBA All-Star and nine-time All-NBA First Team selection, he also has the highest career assists per game average in NBA history (11.2).

In his 13 seasons in the NBA, Johnson played 906 career games, during wherein he completed 10,141 assists. This ranks him 7th in the list of nba all time assist leaders.

#6 Mark Jackson (10,334 Assists)

A rather unlikely name for most to expect in this list, former Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson ranks 6th in the list of all-time assists. Jackson was a point guard for the New York Knicks from 1987 to 1992 and is best remembered for his rookie season in 1988. He was also the league assists leader in 1997, which should rest his case for this list. Jackson earned the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1988 and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He was also an NBA All-Star in 1989 and led the league in assists during the 1996-97 season with an average of 11.4 per game, breaking John Stockton's streak.

Having played 17 seasons and 1,296 career games in the league, Jackson raked up 10,334 assists, ranking 6th in the list of NBA all time assist leaders.

#5 Steve Nash (10,335 Assists)

If we are talking about assists, there is no way one can omit Steve Nash out from this list. Nash was known for his playmaking, ball handling, and shooting skills, which placed him in an elite level as a point guard. He is a two-time league MVP, one of the only three point guards alongside Magic Johnson and Stephen Curry to win the MVP award multiple times and to earn back-to-back MVPs (alongside Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Stephen Curry).

Nash has played 18 seasons in his career, making 1,217 career appearances and ranking 10,335 career assists. This ranks him 5th among the NBA all time assist leaders

#4 LeBron James (11,584 Assists)

King James is the only player in league history to rank top five in almost all major list rankings in the NBA. There’s no surprise LeBron James finds a mention in this list as well, while also being an active player in the league at the age of 40. Besides being the scoring leader with 50,000 career points, ranking 4th in the all-time assists list is also a commendable stat to consider in his GOAT case.

Currently in his 22nd season, James has so far appeared in 1,550 games and has raked up 11,504 assists. Quite a mammoth number, considering he still averages his prime numbers while being the oldest active player in the league.

#3 Jason Kidd (12,091 Assists)

Jason Kidd is currently the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks and is considered one of the greatest point guards of all time. When he was retiring, Kidd was the second-all time in the league history in both assists and steals, only behind John Stockton. Furthermore, Kidd has recorded 107 career triple-doubles, ranking sixth in the list, only behind Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Nikola Jokic, and LeBron James. Kidd has achieved his NBA championship in 2011 with the Dallas Mavericks. Known for his passing, rebounding, and defense, Kidd also holds the second-most steals in NBA history (2,684) and recorded 107 career triple-doubles, ranking him fourth all-time in that category.

Having played 19 seasons and 1,391 career games in the league, Kidd has dished 12,091 assists, ranking third on the list of NBA all time assist leaders.

#2 Chris Paul (12,499 Assists)

Chris Paul recently passed Jason Kidd to be the only active player with the most assists in the NBA. Chris Paul’s skills as a point guard are immensely praised by critics and players alike. Paul is known to create scoring opportunities through his shifting tempo on the court and is one of the best to play isolation and pick-and-roll plays.

Currently in his 20th active season, Paul has played 1,334 career games so far and has raked up 12,383 assists and counting. Many believe Chris Paul could be even closer to becoming the all-time assists leader in the NBA. His illustrious career is marked by 12 NBA All-Star selections, four All-NBA First Team honors, and an impressive five times leading the league in assists. Paul is also known for his defensive skill, evident in his six NBA steals titles (an NBA record) and seven NBA All-Defensive First Team selections. He was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2006 and earned the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 2013.

#1 John Stockton (15,806 Assists)

Utah Jazz legend John Stockton is the NBA’s all-time assists leader. Stockton was one of the most durable players of his era, having missed only 22 games in his 19-season career. Stockton remained a starter until his retirement at the age of 41 and remained loyal to the Jazz despite having several offers to join bigger market teams.

Karl Malone and John Stockton were the one-two punch duo for the Jazz. Most of Stockton's assists have resulted in scoring opportunities for Malone, with both ranking in the all-time assists and scoring lists respectively. Having played a career of 1,504 games, Stockton dished out 15,806 dimes, the most assists in NBA history.