Unveiling the NBA’s Ultimate Assist Masters: Who Holds the Crown and Who’s Closing In?

Ever wonder what it takes to not just shine bright but to last long in the NBA’s dizzying circus of talent? Well, if passing the rock was an art—and boy, is it!—then these guys have been the Da Vincis of the hardwood, weaving magic for over a decade, decade after decade. The floor generals, those wizards who made others look good while racking up numbers that make record-keepers sweat, are the subject of our latest dive. Picture a list where durability meets sheer brilliance, where current stars mingle with those immortalized in the Hall of Fame, each assist a fingerprint left on basketball’s grand ledger. Ready to see who’s orchestrated the game’s finest symphonies with their passing prowess? Hold onto your hats—we’re counting down the all-time career assist leaders. LEARN MORE.

A list filled with current and future Hall of Famers, many of the best passers the game has ever seen have also been some of the most durable.

These floor generals sustained their success for well over a decade, leaving their mark on the record books.

Here are the all-time career assist leaders.

* Player still active

1. John Stockton – 15,806

Stockton averaged over 10 assists per game 10 times in his illustrious 19-year career.

His immense career total is the reason many fans view the NBA career assist record as one of the hardest records to break in sports.

***Stockton drives against San Antonio Spurs Center David Robinson during the 1996 postseason. (AP Photo)***

2. Chris Paul – 12,549*

On all of Paul’s seven teams, he has been an instrumental leader, propelling his teams to victories with his passing, defense and timely shooting. In his 20th NBA season, he’ll hope to win his first career title after climbing to second on this list, passing Jason Kidd’s career total.

3. Jason Kidd – 12,091

Known for his exceptional court vision, Kidd blended creativity and precision to become one of the game’s best passers throughout his 19-year career. Like many on this list, he is also known for his leadership and his ability to make his teammates better.

4. LeBron James – 11,617*

Regarded by some as the greatest of all time, it’s truly incredible that the NBA’s all-time leading scorer is also fourth in assists. As James has evolved throughout his career, he developed into one of the best passers in the game, showing his ability as a floor general in his second stint with the Cavs and his time with the Lakers.

5. Steve Nash – 10,335

Nash’s ability to thrive in fast-paced offenses and his mastery of the pick-and-roll led him to dominate defenses for his entire 18-year career. A two-time MVP, Nash’s vision and style of play helped transform the game, leading more guards to emulate his style of play.

6. Mark Jackson – 10,334

A true point guard, Jackson averaged over eight assists per game in nine seasons. Like many others on this list, Jackson made significant contributions to winning and made his teammates better, yet he never won an NBA title.

7. Magic Johnson – 10,141

Johnson, who averaged over 10 assists per game in nine of his 13 NBA seasons, amassed his assist total in 906 games – fewer than any other player on this leaderboard. He complemented his passing with efficient scoring and a strong presence on the glass, hauling in at least 5.7 rebounds per game in each season, making him one of the best all-around players of all time.

***Johnson looks to pass over the Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan during the 1991 NBA Finals. (AP Photo)***

8. Russell Westbrook – 10,067*

One triple-double king hopes to pass the assist total of another, as Westbrook continues his quest for an NBA title. Westbrook has accumulated his total in a different way than most guards on this list, frequently using his explosive athleticism to beat his man and force defensive rotations before finding an open teammate.

9. Oscar Robertson – 9,887

Robertson was one of the most complete players the game has seen, becoming the first player to average a triple-double for an entire season. His impact on all aspects of the game transformed the way the point guard position was played, leading to many others who played with similar styles, such as Russell Westbrook.

10. Isiah Thomas – 9,061

An All-Star in 12 of his 13 NBA seasons, Thomas was the heart and soul of the “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons that won back-to-back NBA titles. In the games biggest moments, the ball was in Zeke’s hands, leading to many clutch victories throughout his career.

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