2024-25 NBA Season Predictions: 5 players who could lead the league in assists

As the NBA becomes a more high-powered offensive league, premier passers with the ability to assist have become more important than ever.

Last season, Tyrese Haliburton led the NBA with an impressive 752 assists, averaging 10.9 assists per game. But he was not the only player to distinguish himself for his ability to dish dimes.

In the top 10 last season, there were multiple big men and forwards as well, showing that teams are slowly moving away from the traditional system of point guards running the offense.

5 NBA players who could lead the league in assists in 2024-25

#5. Tyus Jones

Tyus Jones averaged 7.3 apg last season, playing 66 games with the Washington Wizards. He was the league leader in assist-to-turnover ratio last season and has the best AST/TOV ratio in NBA history. Jones showed that he was a valuable playmaker, even on a Washington team that found it difficult to remain competitive for most parts of the season.

Playing as the key facilitator in an offense containing Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal should work wonders for his numbers and his efficiency in providing assists will be a key facet in whether coach Mike Budenholzer can turn the Phoenix Suns around with their vaunted big three.

#4. Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic, another prime candidate to lead the league in assists for the 2024-25 season, is ready to shine. Last season, Jokic finished third in the standings for assist leaders, averaging 9.0 apg, leading the Denver Nuggets to second place in the Western Conference in the regular season.

With the Denver offense continuing to run through him and his inverted pick-and-roll with Jamal Murray, he's expected to have even more touches than last season, where he led the league with an average of 103.1 touches per game.

Jamal Murray's health is also a concern, which might mean an increased offensive load for Jokic, potentially increasing his assist numbers and allowing him to propel himself up the assisting leaderboard.

The added responsibility of shouldering more of the offensive burden, combined with Denver's lack of a clear secondary playmaker, could lead Jokic to win the assist title this season.

#3. Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic finished second in the assists category last season, averaging 9.8 apg, playing 70 games with the Dallas Mavericks. He's a strong contender again to lead the league in assists, building on his impressive stats from last year.

Doncic is one of the league's premier playmakers and scorers in the NBA, possessing a unique gravity that makes defenses bend to his will. The addition of Klay Thompson in the offseason, an ideal complement to Doncic's drive-and-kick style, should further enhance his assist opportunities.

Doncic excels at creating plays in isolation and transition positions, generating easy assists on fast breaks and mismatches. Additionally, he boasts one of the highest usage rates in the NBA. All these factors point to an impressive assisting season for "Luka Magic".

#2. James Harden

James Harden led the league in assists two seasons ago and finished fourth in the league's leading assist category last season, averaging 8.5 apg.

The Los Angeles Clippers, having let Paul George walk in free agency and with Kawhi Leonard's uninspiring injury history, will likely rely heavily on Harden to shoulder most of the offensive workload as they move into the new Intuit Dome.

Historically, Harden has thrived with primary ball-handling duties. During his final NBA season with the Philadelphia 76ers, he averaged 93.5 touches per game and led the league in assists.

Although Harden has slowed down significantly from his offensive prime, he remains one of the most effective creators, utilizing his drive-and-kick game and ability to draw mismatches to his advantage.

For the Clippers to remain competitive, even for a lower-seeded playoff or play-in position in the Western Conference, James Harden will be crucial. He should have a great chance at reclaiming his assist title.

#1. Tyrese Haliburton

Tyrese Haliburton is once again the leading candidate to top the assist board for the 2024-2025 NBA season. Last season, he nearly averaged 11.0 apg and led the Indiana Pacers to a deep playoff run.

Haliburton is a unique player as a pass-first point guard who is also the star player on his team. Previously criticized for prioritizing playmaking over scoring, Haliburton has embraced his role as the table setter for his team's offense.

With a strong supporting cast relying heavily on his ability to create, Haliburton excels in both half-court and transition play. He's well-positioned to maintain and even improve upon his assist total this season.

Who do you think will lead the league in assists next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.