In a league filled with great playmakers and floor generals, only one can be the NBA assists leader.
Last year, that title went to Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden. This marked the second time Harden has been crowned the league’s assist champion.
Could he make it a third title this season? Or will someone else claim the throne?
Let’s look at the latest NBA assists leader odds and make some best bets.
NBA Assists Leader Odds
NBA odds used for these assists leader best bets are current as of Monday, Oct. 16, and courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
- Tyrese Haliburton (+195)
- Trae Young (+420)
- James Harden (+460)
- Nikola Jokić (+650)
- LaMelo Ball (+900)
- Darius Garland (+1000)
- Luka Dončić (+2200)
- Damian Lillard (+2500)
- Fred VanVleet (+3000)
- Tyus Jones (+3000)
- Josh Giddey (+3500)
Who Will Be the NBA Assists Leader in 2024?
Tyrese Haliburton (+195)
Haliburton averaged 10.4 assists in 56 games, which would’ve ranked second in the NBA behind only James Harden if he played just two more games and fulfilled the 58-game requirement to qualify as a per-game leader.
The Pacers played at the fourth-fastest pace in the NBA last season (101.10), trailing only the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Additionally, they’ve done a great job surrounding Haliburton with excellent perimeter shooters such as Buddy Hield, Myles Turner, and Andrew Nembhard. They’ve also added versatile athletes who thrive in transition, such as Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin, and Jarace Walker this offseason.
In addition to being one of the highest-IQ players in the NBA, Haliburton also has a rare size for a point guard and uses his 6-foot-5 frame to help him thrive as a facilitator with excellent court vision.
He is a nightly double-double threat thanks to his incredible playmaking ability, racking up 32 in the 56 games he played last season. Haliburton earned his first All-Star appearance in 2022-23 and is primed to take another leap forward this season after signing a five-year, $260 million contract extension.
NBA Assists Leader Favorites
Trae Young (+420)
Since being drafted with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Young has established himself as one of the best floor generals in the NBA. He has ranked no lower than fourth among the NBA’s assist leaders in each of his first five seasons as a pro.
- See where Young sits in our top 10 NBA point guard rankings.
Head coach Quin Snyder, regarded as a tactician, has now had a full offseason to work with Young and the Hawks after being hired midseason in 2022-23. Snyder is a coach who has typically preached an uptempo style of offense, which should work in Young’s favor.
Young has talented and capable scorers surrounding him, including Dejounte Murray, De’Andre Hunter, Saddiq Bey, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Onyeka Okongwu, and perennial lob threat Clint Capela.
James Harden (+460)
Harden’s playing status to start the 2023-24 NBA season is currently unknown, given his looming trade request and general manager Daryl Morey’s unwillingness to meet those demands unless the Philadelphia 76ers receive an offer to help them remain competitive.
However, when he plays and whoever he plays for, Harden will be leaned on heavily to distribute the ball and create offense for others.
Since embracing more of a playmaking role, Harden has established himself as one of the more capable passers in the league. He has averaged 10-plus assists in the past three seasons, leading the NBA last year with 10.7.
When Harden’s situation is resolved, he will have a chance to defend his title as the NBA’s assists leader and show why he is on the shortlist of favorites for the title yet again.
NBA Assists Leader Contenders
Nikola Jokić (+650)
It’s very rare to see a center on the shortlist of favorites for the NBA’s assists leader, but Nikola Jokić is not your average center.
Jokić is a gifted passer who constantly makes the right decision with the ball in his hands. He has operated as the hub of the Nuggets offense, allowing him to average no less than 7.0 assists per game in each of his past five seasons.
- Read more on Jokić in our NBA MVP odds.
Despite being such a willing and free-flowing passer, Jokić demands a lot of defensive attention for his scoring ability. He does a great job of letting the game come to him and finding the open man when defenses decide to double-team him.
He averaged a career-high 9.8 assists per game in 2022-23 and could see that number rise this season.
LaMelo Ball (+900)
Like Haliburton, Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is an oversized floor general who uses his size as an advantage.
His 6-foot-7 frame, combined with his superb court vision and feel for the game, enabled him to average a career-high 8.4 assists per game in 2022-23.
Ball has seen his assists per game increase each year since he entered the NBA. He is arguably entering the season with the most talented roster he’s ever had in his three-year NBA career.
The Hornets selected University of Alabama standout Brandon Miller with the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft this offseason to add to a roster consisting of Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges, P.J. Washington, and Mark Williams.
NBA Assists Leader Sleepers
Luka Dončić (+2200)
Dončić will likely be at the forefront of the play any time the Dallas Mavericks score. He ranked second in the NBA in usage rate in 2022-23, trailing only Giannis Antetokounmpo, and will continue to be the engine that drives the Mavs’ offense nightly.
- Check out the latest NBA Finals odds.
Dončić has averaged eight-plus assists per game in each of his past four seasons and will have a great opportunity to extend that streak to five, given his usage rate is so high.
Another player on this list who doesn’t necessarily look the part of your prototypical point guard, Dončić does a great job of seeing and reading the floor, thanks to his 6-foot-7 build.
Fred VanVleet (+3000)
For the first time in his career, Fred VanVleet will represent a franchise other than the Toronto Raptors this season.
The veteran point guard signed a massive three-year, $128-million contract with the Houston Rockets this offseason to instill a championship culture in a franchise filled with young, unproven players.
While VanVleet has taken on more of a scoring role with the Raptors in recent years, he will be asked to handle more of a facilitating role in Houston and seems up to the task. He has seen his assist totals increase in each of the past three seasons, averaging a career-high 7.2 assists per game in 2022-23.
Given the keys to a Rockets offense that has sorely lacked a point guard since the departure of James Harden, VanVleet will have ample playmaking opportunities.