Utah Jazz Legends: Top 5 Assist Leaders of All Time

Top five all-time assist leaders in Jazz history, demonstrating the crucial role these players have played in creating opportunities on offense.

1. John Stockton

John Stockton is not only the Utah Jazz’s all-time assist leader but also the NBA’s all-time leader, with an astonishing 15,806 assists. Over his 19-year career, Stockton became synonymous with the point guard position, orchestrating Utah’s offense with unmatched precision. His ability to find open teammates, particularly Karl Malone, made the pick-and-roll an unstoppable force during the Jazz’s dominant years in the 1990s.

Stockton’s court vision, decision-making, and consistency helped lead Utah to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998. His ability to make his teammates better through his passing is a major reason why Stockton is widely considered one of the greatest point guards in basketball history.

2. Karl Malone

Karl Malone, primarily known for his scoring, ranks second on the Jazz’s all-time assist list with 5,085 assists. As Stockton’s primary pick-and-roll partner, Malone not only finished plays but also contributed significantly to Utah’s ball movement. While his assists total may seem surprising for a power forward, Malone’s ability to make the right pass from the post and find open shooters was critical to the Jazz’s success.

Malone’s passing, combined with his elite scoring ability, made him a well-rounded offensive threat. His high basketball IQ allowed him to facilitate for teammates when the defense focused too much on his scoring, showcasing his versatility and understanding of the game.

3. Rickey Green

Rickey Green ranks third on the Jazz’s all-time assist list with 4,159 assists. Green was Utah’s starting point guard before the Stockton era, helping to stabilize the franchise during the early 1980s. Known for his speed and playmaking ability, Green was instrumental in setting up his teammates and running the Jazz’s offense.

Although his contributions are often overshadowed by Stockton’s record-breaking career, Green played a pivotal role in establishing a culture of team-oriented basketball in Utah. His ability to push the tempo and create fast-break opportunities was a key element of his game, making him a valuable leader during his time with the Jazz.

4. Deron Williams

Deron Williams, one of the most talented point guards of his era, ranks fourth on the Jazz’s all-time assist list with 4,003 assists. During his time with Utah from 2005 to 2011, Williams helped bring the team back into playoff contention, leading them to multiple postseason runs. His size, strength, and court vision made him a unique playmaker capable of both scoring and setting up his teammates.

Williams’ ability to control the game as a floor general was strong and his rivalry with other top point guards in the league during the late 2000s made him one of the NBA’s premier playmakers.

5. Joe Ingles

Joe Ingles rounds out the top five with 2,213 assists, bringing a different style of play to the list. Known primarily as a versatile forward and sharpshooter, Ingles’ ability to facilitate and create plays for others was a crucial part of Utah’s offense in the 2010s. Whether as a secondary ball-handler or running the pick-and-roll, Ingles’ basketball IQ and unselfishness helped him contribute to the team’s ball movement.

Ingles’ ability to play multiple positions and act as a playmaker made him a valuable asset to the Jazz, especially when the team needed an additional facilitator. His steady presence on the court and ability to adapt to different roles allowed him to quietly climb into the Jazz’s top five assist leaders.