The leading scorer in every NBA team’s history
The leading scorer in every NBA team's history
(USA TODAY Network)
Looking at the list of leading scorers for every NBA team is a fun exercise.
For some teams, the answer is an obvious one. Of course Michael Jordan leads the Bulls while Dwyane Wade leads the Heat.
Some others, though, are surprising.
Let’s take a look at the leading scorer for each NBA franchise.
1. Karl Malone — Utah Jazz
(JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
36,374 points
The third overall leading scorer of all time, Malone scored all but 554 of his points while wearing a Jazz uniform.
2. Kobe Bryant — Los Angeles Lakers
(MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images)
33,643 points
Three other players (Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Elgin Baylor) scored over 20,000 points during their Lakers career, but Kobe achieved rare air with his total.
3. Dirk Nowitzki — Dallas Mavericks
(MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images)
31,560 points
Like Bryant, Nowitzki never scored a point in another uniform.
4. Michael Jordan — Chicago Bulls
(Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)
29,277 points
Scottie Pippen clocks in at second all-time for the Bulls with 15,123 points.
5. Hakeem Olajuwon — 26,511 points
(Getty Images)
26,511 points
James Harden would have been the most recent Rockets player to have a chance at surpassing Hakeem.
6. Tim Duncan — San Antonio Spurs
(Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
26,496 points
David Robinson is second on San Antonio’s list with 20,790 points.
7. John Havlicek — Boston Celtics
(Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports)
26,395 points
Larry Bird has to be second, right? Nope, that spot belongs to Paul Pierce. Bird is third at 21,791.
8. Reggie Miller — Indiana Pacers
(USA TODAY Sports)
Miller has almost twice as many as the next Pacer on the list (Rik Smits at 12,871 points).
9. Patrick Ewing — New York Knicks
(AP Photo/Ed Betz)
23,665 points
Ewing also leads the franchise in rebounds, blocks and steals.
10. Dominique Wilkins — Atlanta Hawks
(USA TODAY Sports)
23,292 points
Hall of Famer Bob Pettit ranks second with 20,880 points.
11. LeBron James — Cleveland Cavaliers
(Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)
23,119 points
James also ranks fourth on the Heat’s all-time list with 7,919 points. And now, he is second overall for all-time leading scorer in NBA history.
12. Oscar Robertson — Sacramento Kings
(Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)
22,009 points
All of Robertson’s points came during the franchise’s days as the Cincinnati Royals. Jack Twyman is in second and scored his with both the Rochester and Cincinnati Royals. Mitch Richmond is third and the highest pure King on the list with 12,070 points.
13. Alex English — Denver Nuggets
(Tim DeFrisco /Allsport)
21,645 points
Fun fact: Alex English only attempted 79 three-pointers (and made only 18) during his career.
14. Hal Greer — Philadelphia 76ers
(Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports)
21,586 points
You probably thought you’d see Allen Iverson here, but he’s second on the list with 19,931 points.
15. Dwyane Wade — Miami Heat
(AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
21,556 points
No other Heat player has scored more than 10,000 points.
16. Kevin Garnett — Minnesota Timberwolves
(Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports)
19,201 points
Karl-Anthony Towns could have a shot at surpassing KG, but it’s hard to figure he’ll be happy in Minnesota long enough to get there.
17. Russell Westbrook — Oklahoma City Thunder
(Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports)
18,859 points
Westbrook was just able to pass Gary Payton (18,207 points) before heading to Houston.
18. Isiah Thomas — Detroit Pistons
(USA TODAY Sports)
18,822 points
It seems like the Pistons should have someone with a higher total than this, but the team has never really boasted a high-powered offense.
19. Clyde Drexler — Portland Trailblazers
(AP photos)
18,040 points
Damian Lillard has a good shot at getting here in the next few years. He’s second on Portland’s list with over 17,500 points.
20. Steph Curry — Golden State Warriors
Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
20,064 points (and growing)
It was only a matter of time until Steph Curry topped Wilt’s 17,783 points.
21. Walter Davis — Phoenix Suns
(AP Photo)
15,666 points
Somewhat surprising: Despite 15 years on the team, Steve Nash only ranks 10th with 10,712 points.
22. Elvin Hayes — Washington Wizards
(AP Photo)
15,551 points
Bradley Beal (second with over 14,000) has a good shot if he remains healthy and with the franchise.
23. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — Milwaukee Bucks
(AP Photo/Paul Shane)
14,211 points
Fun fact: You can take away Kareem’s points in Milwaukee and he’d still have enough to lead 22 other franchises.
Giannis Antetokounmpo looms with over 14,000 points.
24. DeMar DeRozan — Toronto Raptors
(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
13,296 points
It’s honestly kind of sad he scored all of those points then didn’t get to share in the franchise’s first NBA title, right?
25. Randy Smith — Los Angeles Clippers
12,735 points
Smith was once the NBA’s Iron Man, having started 906 straight games during his time with the Buffalo Braves. (The record now belongs to A.C. Green, who started 1,192 straight.)
26. Kemba Walker — Charlotte Hornets
(Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports)
Walker passed Dell Curry (9,839 points) for the mark before moving on to New York.
27. Mike Conley — Memphis Grizzlies
AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
11,733 points
Conley scored just enough points to pass Marc Gasol before heading to Utah.
28. Dwight Howard — Orlando Magic
(Michael Hickey-USA TODAY Sports)
11,435 points
Nikola Vucevic came on strong, though, before his tenure ended.
29. Anthony Davis — New Orleans Pelicans
(Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)
11,059 points
Davis might stay on top of this leaderboard for a long time, though we’ll all be keeping our eyes on Zion Williamson (448 points).
30. Brook Lopez — New Jersey Nets
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
10,444 points
The Nets have had their share of good players, but none have ever stuck around long enough to rack up a lot of points. Lopez has just four more points than Buck Williams (10,440).
