With its rich history of legendary playmakers, the NBA is witnessing the rise of a new generation of exceptional talents in the ongoing season.
Let’s take a look at the accomplishments of five such active NBA playmakers destined for the Hall of Fame based on their impressive career statistics and contributions to the game.
| Player | Total Assists | Assists per Game | Assist % | Usage % | Offensive Rating |
| James Harden | 7,138 | 7.0 | 33.9 | 29.8 | 118.5 |
| Kyle Lowry | 6,846 | 6.2 | 30.2 | 21.1 | 115.2 |
| Russell Westbrook | 9,274 | 8.3 | 41.5 | 31.8 | 107.6 |
| LeBron James | 10,575 | 7.3 | 36.2 | 31.6 | 116.1 |
| Chris Paul | 11,649 | 9.4 | 44.9 | 23.3 | 122.7 |
1. James Harden: Rising Through the All-Time Assists Leaderboard
Moving Up in Assists James Harden has made 7,096 assists in his career, which puts him in the 18th place on the all-time assist leaderboard. This happened after he joined the Los Angeles Clippers. Now, he’s the leading player making plays for the Clippers, making about 6.8 assists each game. In one game against the Houston Rockets, he scored 24 points, got nine rebounds, and made seven assists. This shows he can do many things well.
When you look at Harden’s career, you can see he’s had a big effect on the game. He has an offensive rating of 118.5, assists in 33.9% of plays when he’s on the court, and is involved in 29.8% of plays.
These numbers show that Harden always helps his team when he’s playing. His rise in the all-time assists leaderboard shows he’s excellent at making plays. If he keeps this up, he might move up even more by the end of the season.
2. Kyle Lowry: A Reliable Point Guard with a Legacy
Kyle Lowry, a seasoned point guard, has made a name for himself in his 19-year career. He’s played for teams like the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, and Miami Heat, constantly proving to be a dependable playmaker. His time with the Raptors was particularly memorable, where he was instrumental in their 2019 championship victory, dishing out an average of 7.1 assists per game.
Lowry’s game isn’t just about assists, though. He’s shown versatility with a career assist rate of 30.2%, a usage rate of 21.1%, and an offensive rating of 115.2. Even though he’s not always in the spotlight for his playmaking, his influence on the game is clear. He’s definitely one of those players who’s likely to end up in the Hall of Fame.
3. Russell Westbrook: The Triple-Double Machine
Russell Westbrook is a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court. Known for his triple-doubles, he’s racked up an impressive 9,274 assists, putting him ninth in the all-time rankings. Even though he’s moved around a bit in his career, his knack for setting up plays hasn’t waned. His stats speak for themselves – a career assist rate of 41.5%, a usage rate of 31.8%, and an offensive rating of 107.6.
Westbrook’s journey through different teams reflects how the game is evolving, but his skills as a playmaker remain strong. He’s on track to surpass Oscar Robertson’s career total of 9,887 assists, which would be a significant achievement and further cement his place as a potential Hall of Famer.
4. LeBron James: Ageless Playmaking Excellence
Even as he nears his 40s, LeBron James continues to be a dominant force in basketball. He’s racked up an impressive 10,575 assists in his career, making him the fourth-highest in history. His basketball smarts and ability to pass the ball have not diminished with age. Even though he’s not assisting as much this season (averaging 6.7 per game), he’s still responsible for 34.0% of his team’s assists.
LeBron’s career stats are equally impressive, with an assist rate of 36.2%, a usage rate of 31.6%, and an offensive rating of 116.1. He might find it tough to surpass the top three in total assists, but his enduring skill and excellence secure his spot as one of the NBA’s all-time great playmakers.
5. Chris Paul: The Venerable Point God
Chris Paul, also known as the “Point God,” is currently the top playmaker in the NBA and a key player for the Golden State Warriors. He’s accumulated a whopping 11,649 assists in his career, putting him in third place in the all-time rankings. His high basketball IQ and exceptional passing skills have made him an invaluable player for every team he’s been a part of. Even though he’s now coming off the bench for the Warriors, he’s still averaging 7.4 assists per game in his 20 games this season.
Looking at his career stats, Paul has an assist rate of 44.9%, a usage rate of 23.3%, and an offensive rating of 122.7. While it might be a stretch for him to beat the all-time assist records of Jason Kidd and John Stockton, there’s no doubt his consistent high-level performance has him on track for the Hall of Fame.
These five NBA stars are making history right now. Their skills have earned them a spot in the record books, and they’re on track to join the Hall of Fame. They’re adding new chapters to the NBA’s long story of top-notch play.
And as they keep showing their magic on the court, we’ll cheer them on and remember their amazing plays for a long time. Their legacy will surely be celebrated for many years to come.