Greatest Passers in NBA History

When evaluating the top passers in NBA history, one might be tempted to make a fast break for the record books and simply count down which players had the most assists.

That’s a good place to start, since no one would dispute Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, John Stockton and Magic Johnson put on some of the game’s most mesmerizing passing displays.

But any student of the sport knows that passing the ball is about more than nifty court generals going behind their backs or lobbing perfect alley-oops on their way to highlights shows.

Some of the sport’s most gifted passers were prolific shooters and dominant big men who had an innate sense for the perfect moment to distribute the ball just as defenses were closing in. Their keen instincts and dead-eye accuracy in moving the ball to the right player at the right time could be overlooked among their other feats on the court.

That’s why the 20 greatest passers in NBA history are a combination of statistical leaders, acrobatic showmen and all-around greats better known for taking the ball to the hoop than handing it off.

Years in NBA: 15 (1984-93, 1994-98, 2001-03)

Teams: Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards

Games played: 1,072

Assists: 5,633 (5.3 per game)

Championships: 6 (1992, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)

Let’s begin with the greatest player of all time.

Michael Jordan was a monster scorer from the moment he stepped onto an NBA court, but Air Jordan could do much more than drive to the hoop. In fact, Jordan’s unparalleled athleticism was often seen in his passing prowess, and he could dominate the stat sheet in assists and points.

Take, for instance, his 29-point, 14-assist effort in a crucial 1993 playoff win over the New York Knicks, when no other teammate topped three assists.

Still, nothing proves Jordan passing skills more than his performance in the 1991 NBA Finals, when he twice dished 13 assists (topping Magic Johnson’s total in both games) to lead the Bulls over the Los Angeles Lakers for the team ‘s first NBA title.

Note: All numbers for active players are through Jan. 9, 2024. 

Years in NBA: 15 (1959-73)

Teams: Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers

Games played: 1,045

Assists: 4,643 (4.4 per game)

Championships: 2 (1967, 1972)

The greatest passing center in NBA history, Wilt Chamberlain, like Jordan, tends to be remembered only for his amazing shotmaking ability.

A center leading the NBA in assists seems about as likely as a point guard leading the league in rebounds. But that’s what the four-time NBA MVP accomplished in 1967-68 when he collected a league-high 702 assists, averaging 8.6 a game.

His passing ability was on full display in the 1967 playoffs, when he averaged nine assists per game in leading the Philadelphia 76ers to their first NBA title.

The playoff run included a 19-assist performance (topping Oscar Robertson’s 13) in a victory over the Cincinnati Royals.

Years in NBA: 12 (2011-present)

Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers

Games played: 698

Assists: 7.4 per game

Championships: None

Our list of flashy point guards starts with this Spaniard, who has averaged more than seven assists a game in his career.

But numbers alone don’t do justice to Ricky Rubio’s effortless style when it comes to moving the basketball. Before he stepped foot in the NBA, Rubio already was a passing legend in the Spanish league, earning the nickname “La Pistola,” in honor of “Pistol Pete” Maravich, who knew a thing or two about dishing the ball.

In early 2024, he announced he would retire from the sport.

Years in NBA: 13 (1989-2003)

Teams: Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers

Games played: 867

Assists: 7,095 (8.2 per game)

Championships: None

Also a great shooter, this five-time All-Star did enough passing to teammates like Chris Mullin, Alonzo Mourning and Mitch Richmond during his career to rank 16th on the NBA’s all-time assists list.

Tim Hardaway, one of the game’s most entertaining point guards during the 1990s, averaged at least 10 assists a game three times during his career. In Game 4 of a 1991 playoff series, he outpassed Magic Johnson in a losing effort, totaling 20 assists compared with Magic’s 12.

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