The most important thing in NBA basketball is winning, no matter what anyone else says. Players are judged by how many times they have won, and NBA teams are focused on putting together the best possible team to win every season. But which players have had the most success in the current landscape of the NBA?
We are not talking about championship victories, but victories as a whole during the regular season. By bringing in winning percentages of every NBA player who has played a minimum of 500 games, here is the ranked list of the ten players who have been on winning teams. While these percentages are a testament to a player’s skill level, it also shows their impact on a team’s win percentages. Unsurprisingly, most of the players on this list have won at least one NBA championship or are currently All-Stars in the modern game.
10. George Hill – 63.6% (869 Games)
Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Career Statistics: 10.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.3 BPG
George Hill has been fortunate to play with some strong teams, including the San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, and Cleveland Cavaliers alongside LeBron James. Hill started his career with the Spurs, earning significant playing time with solid perimeter defense and also nailing outside shots. Over his career, Hill has averaged 38.0% from the three-point line while also draining 80.7% from the free-throw line.
Hill has averaged 27.2 MPG over his career, meaning he has played a significant role over his career with multiple teams. The point guard has started 483 out of the 869 games played, meaning his ability to play on both sides of the ball has come in handy for his teams. At 6’4” with long arms, Hill has been a steady defender for most of his career and will likely continue to play on contending teams as he is currently on the Milwaukee Bucks.
9. James Harden – 65.0% (942 Games)
Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Career Statistics: 24.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG
James Harden is unsurprisingly included on this list. Over the course of his career, The Beard has played for some outstanding squads, including the Oklahoma City Thunder when he was a younger sixth man and a dominant Rockets squad led by head coach Mike D’Antoni. Although the Rockets were a great defensive club with Trevor Ariza and Clint Capela on board, they were also a great offensive team thanks to The Beard.
Harden ended up winning the MVP award in 2018 and also made the Western Conference with a chance to win a title in 2018 as well. Of course, Harden is now a member of the Philadelphia 76ers superteam in the Eastern Conference. The Beard was always one of the most important players on every club he played for, despite being fortunate to play with excellent teams. Playing alongside an MVP candidate Joel Embiid could help increase Harden’s exceptional winning percentage even further.
8. Chris Paul – 65.0% (1,155 Games)
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Career Statistics: 18.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 9.5 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Chris Paul appears on this list because he is regarded as one of the greatest NBA leaders in history. Although the point guard has spent his entire career playing on some extremely good teams, none of them could be categorized as “superteams.” Chris Paul was mostly responsible for his team’s victories. Whether he was a member of the Hornets, Clippers, Rockets, Thunder, or Suns, Paul made each franchise contend in their conferences
Prior to Paul joining the team and starting to play in All-Star Games, neither the Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, nor the Houston Rockets were considered postseason contenders. But Paul placed them on the map, and of course, helped make the Phoenix Suns contenders. Paul and the Suns made the Finals in 2021, and hopefully, he can reach the Finals again to win his first NBA championship.
7. Serge Ibaka – 65.3% (903 Games)
Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Career Statistics: 12.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.9 BPG
With the Clippers and Bucks last season, Serge Ibaka had a disappointing year despite just appearing in 54 games with both teams. But there is no denying that Ibaka has been a champion throughout his career. For the Oklahoma City Thunder, a club that reached the NBA Finals in 2012, he developed into the top shot-blocker in the league and also developed his perimeter shooting.
Ibaka went on to win a championship in 2019 with the Toronto Raptors, and his All-NBA caliber defense played a significant role in that team’s triumph. For the duration of his career, Serge Ibaka will continue to be a significant player even at his age. That is why contending teams continue to acquire Ibaka to strengthen their defense inside the paint.
6. LeBron James – 65.4% (1,366 Games)
Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Career Statistics: 27.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG
There isn’t much left to say about LeBron James that hasn’t been said already. With four NBA titles and 18 All-Star appearances on his resume, The King is undoubtedly the most decorated player in the league right now. LeBron has the 6th winning percentage among active players, of course. A 6’9” beast at 242 lbs, James impacts the game through size and also through his elite playmaking ability.
LeBron James’ squad wins games wherever he goes. He helped the Cleveland Cavaliers become championship contenders and also helped the Heat and Lakers win NBA championships. Because James is constantly focused on winning—as his winning % suggests—LeBron forces his general managers to surround him with the right personnel. Even if the Lakers have a poorly fit roster, James still encouraged other star players to join him.
5. Stephen Curry – 66.0% (826 Games)
Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Career Statistics: 24.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Unsurprisingly, Stephen Curry is listed as one of the NBA’s top winners. Curry, the all-time best shooter, has a staggering 66.0% winning ratio. His winning percentage undoubtedly increased as a result of being a member of the Golden State Warriors dynasty alongside some other top players including Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, and Jordan Poole.
Having gone 3-2 in the Finals between 2015 and 2019, and adding another championship in 2022 (along with a Finals MVP), the Golden State Warriors have consistently been one of the top teams in the NBA. The Warriors were destined to be one of the most successful teams in history, and Stephen Curry’s ascent to superstardom made that possible. Curry’s incredible winning % was helped by the franchise’s decision to build around the point guard and also employ a head coach who brings out the best in his players. Of course, being the best point guard over the past decade is the biggest factor, however.
4. Draymond Green – 68.6% (685 Games)
Credit: David Butler II/USA Today Sports
Career Statistics: 8.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.0 BPG
The franchise’s vocal captain and defensive stalwart, Draymond Green of the Golden State Warrior is included on this list. Due to the fact that he isn’t a flashy offensive player, Draymond Green doesn’t receive enough credit for his contributions on the court. However, the four-time NBA champion is without a doubt one of the top winners in the league right now and a future Hall of Famer. Whether it’s playing defense or hustling for loose balls, everything Draymond does on the court is done to help his team win.
It also helps to be a member of the Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson Warriors, one of the best teams of all time. But the impact that Green has on the Warriors is immediately felt when the forward is absent from games because the Warriors lack toughness and the energy that Green brings. No surprise, Green has a winning percentage of over 68%.
3. Klay Thompson – 69.4% (647 Games)
Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Career Statistics: 19.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG
The third musketeer of the Golden State Warriors’ championship-winning core is on the list, rather surprisingly. Due to his injury and inability to suffer the losses that Curry and Green did while he was out, Thompson has a greater percentage than his colleagues. Even more so than Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant combined, Thompson was able to win almost 70% of the games he has played over his career.
Like any other third wheel, he played at a very high level and was best at spacing the floor and playing lockdown defense. Even without Kevin Durant, Klay played a secondary role and still won a ton of games. The Warriors have had amazing talent on the court since the 2015 championship success, and Klay deserves credit for making his team nearly unbeatable year after year.
2. Danny Green – 70.9% (819 Games)
Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Career Statistics: 8.7 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG
When Danny Green doesn’t make jump shots, he is frequently criticized, yet his winning record speaks for itself. The perimeter player is by no means a star, but Green has consistently played defense at an All-Star level and spread the floor better than most. After all, why do winning teams compete for Green’s signature every time?
Because he poses a two-way threat, plays hard every night, and does the little things no one else wants to do. With the Spurs, Raptors, and Lakers, Danny Green won three NBA championships. He last played for the Philadelphia 76ers, another title candidate and is now a member of the Memphis Grizzlies. As long as he can nail outside shots whenever Ja Morant gives him open looks, he can continue adding to his winning percentage.
1. Kawhi Leonard – 74.5% (576 Games)
Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Career Statistics: 19.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Kawhi Leonard has always been a member of winning teams, starting with the San Antonio Spurs dynasty under Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich when he was a rookie. The Spurs were one of the top teams every year and had all the necessary components in Leonard. The team did a great job assembling itself around Leonard even after he was traded to Toronto in preparation for their 2019 championship run.
Leonard has elevated the Clippers into one of the elite teams since joining them. Kawhi was the foundation of his team’s success, despite having the good fortune to play alongside some outstanding players, coaches, and teams. For now, The Claw is on top of the NBA in winning percentage, and winning his 3rd championship would take his legacy to another level.
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