The National Basketball Association is one of the most prestigious leagues in the United States with players from all over the world. 30 teams participate every year to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy and it is every player’s dream to win a championship ring.
While there are players who have helped their team win the championship multiple times, there are a few who have had a glorious NBA career, but were not able to win the championship.
Below mentioned is the list of the players who had an outstanding NBA career, but never won a championship.
Player Name | Games played | Career span | Position | Drafted by | Draft Year |
Dikembe Mutombo | 1196 | 1991-2009 | Center | Denver Nuggets | 1991 |
Tracy McGrady | 938 | 1997-2013 | Shooting Guard/Small forward | Toronto Raptors | 1997 |
Reggie Miller | 1389 | 1987-2005 | Shooting Guard | Indiana Pacers | 1987 |
Dominique Wilkins | 1074 | 1982-1999 | Small Forward | Utah Jazz | 1982 |
Patrick Ewing | 1183 | 1995-2002 | Center | New York Knicks | 1985 |
George Gervin | 1060 | 1972-1990 | Shooting Guard/Small forward | Phoenix Suns | 1974 |
Allen Iverson | 914 | 1996-2011 | Shooting Guard/Point Guard | Philadelphia 76ers | 1996 |
Steve Nash | 1217 | 1996-2015 | Point Guard | Phoenix Suns | 1996 |
John Stockton | 1504 | 1984-2003 | Point Guard | Utah Jazz | 1984 |
Elgin Baylor | 846 | 1958-1971 | Small Forward | Minneapolis Lakers | 1958 |
Charles Barkley | 1073 | 1984-2000 | Point Forward/Small Forward | Philadelphia 76ers | 1984 |
Karl Malone | 1476 | 1985-2004 | Point Forward | Utah Jazz | 1985 |
Vince Carter | 1541 | 1998-2020 | Shooting Guard/Small forward | Golden State Warriors | 1998 |
Carmelo Anthony | 1260 | 2003-2022 | Small Forward/Power Forward | Denver Nuggets | 2003 |
Adrian Dantley | 955 | 1976-1992 | Small Forward | Buffalo Braves | 1976 |
Bob Lanier | 959 | 1970-1984 | Center | Detroit Pistons | 1970 |
Walt Bellamy | 1043 | 1961-1974 | Center | Chicago Packers | 1961 |
Jack Twyman | 823 | 1955-1966 | Small Forward | Rochester Royals | 1955 |
Chris Mullin | 986 | 1985-2001 | Shooting Guard/Small forward | Golden State Warriors | 1985 |
Grant Hill | 1026 | 1994-2013 | Shooting Guard/Small forward | Detroit Pistons | 1994 |
David Thompson | 592 | 1975-1984 | Shooting Guard | Atlanta Hawks | 1975 |
Yao Ming | 486 | 1997-2011 | Center | Houston Rockets | 2002 |
Sidney Moncrief | 767 | 1979-1991 | Shooting Guard | Milwaukee Bucks | 1979 |
George Yardley | 472 | 1953-1962 | Forward/Guard | Fort Wayne Pistons | 1950 |
Dave Bing | 901 | 1966-1978 | Point Guard | Detroit Pistons | 1966 |
Lenny Wilkens | 2487 | 1960-1975 | Point Guard | St. Louis Hawks | 1960 |
Nate Thurmond | 964 | 1963-1977 | Center/Point Forward | San Francisco Warriors | 1963 |
Bernard King | 874 | 1977-1993 | Small Forward | New York Nets | 1977 |
Chris Webber | 831 | 1993-2008 | Point Forward/Small Forward | Orlando Magic | 1993 |
Artis Gilmore | 1329 | 1971-1989 | Center | Chicago Bulls | 1971 |
Alex English | 1193 | 1976-1992 | Small Forward | Milwaukee Bucks | 1976 |
Pete Maravich | 658 | 1970-1980 | Shooting Guard | Atlanta Hawks | 1970 |
FAQs
A. Bill Russell has won the championship 11 times, which is the most by any other NBA player.
A. Vince Carter has played 22 seasons in the NBA, making a record for playing the most number of seasons in the NBA.
A. Dirk Nowitzki is the most loyal player in NBA history, playing for the Dallas Mavericks from 1998 to 2019.