Every NBA team’s greatest player of all time, ranked

Every NBA franchise has one remarkable player who changed its history forever. This ranking looks at the absolute greatest franchise icons based on their overall greatness and achievements with their team. 

#10 Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Kevin Garnett is the face of the Timberwolves. He carried Minnesota for more than a decade. Over his career, Garnett averaged 17.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while scoring over 26,000 career points and 14,000 rebounds. 

He won an MVP award, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and a championship. Garnett spent 14 seasons with Minnesota. He is still the franchise’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. 

#9 Oscar Robertson (Sacramento Kings/Cincinnati Royals)

Oscar Robertson’s greatness came during the Royals era, long before the franchise became the Kings. Robertson finished with career averages of 25.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists, along with over 26,000 total points. 

He won an MVP award, a championship, and the Rookie of the Year award. He made history by becoming the first player to average a triple-double for an entire season.

Robertson spent ten amazing seasons with the franchise. To this day, he remains the franchise leader in minutes, points, and assists.

#8  Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder/Seattle SuperSonics)

Kevin Durant’s peak years in Oklahoma City were among the best in NBA history. Durant holds career averages of 27.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, passing 32,000 career points. 

His resume includes two championships, two Finals MVPs, and a league MVP. He spent nine seasons with the franchise. During his time with OKC, he won Rookie of the Year, the 2014 MVP, and his four scoring titles.

Although Durant does not own every franchise record, his peak is unmatched. 

#7 Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets)

Hakeem Olajuwon is the greatest player in Rockets history. Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game, totaling over 26,000 points and 13,000 rebounds. 

He won two championships, two Finals MVPs, one MVP, and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. He spent 17 seasons with Houston. Olajuwon leads the franchise in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks.

His back-to-back championships and list of franchise records make him Houston’s greatest player.

#6 Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)

Stephen Curry is the player who changed the game of basketball. He has spent his entire career with Golden State.

Curry averages 24.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. He has won four championships, one Finals MVP, and two league MVPs, including the only unanimous MVP in league history. 

He owns the NBA’s all-time three-point record. Curry also sits atop almost every single Warriors franchise record.

#5 Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs)

Tim Duncan spent his entire successful career with San Antonio. Duncan averaged 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, logging over 26,000 points and 15,000 rebounds in his career. 

He won five championships, three Finals MVPs, and two league MVPs. He had a streak of earning both All-NBA and All-Defensive honors in 13 straight seasons. He leads the Spurs in points, rebounds, blocks, and several other major categories.

#4 Bill Russell (Boston Celtics)

Bill Russell is the greatest winner in NBA history. No player changed the Celtics more than he did.

Russell averaged 15.1 points and 22.5 rebounds per game, finishing with over 14,000 points and 21,000 rebounds. He won 11 championships and five MVP awards. Every single one of his championships came with Boston.

His winning culture and greatness make him Boston’s greatest player.

#3 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Los Angeles Lakers)

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the most decorated players to ever step on a court. Most of his championship success came with the Lakers.

Abdul-Jabbar averaged 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks, retiring with 38,387 points and over 17,000 rebounds. He won six championships, six MVPs, and two Finals MVPs. He spent 14 seasons with Los Angeles. He remains the Lakers’ all-time blocks leader today.

#2 – LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)

LeBron James delivered the city’s most unforgettable basketball moment. James averages 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists, becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with over 40,000 career points. 

He holds 4 championships, 4 Finals MVPs, and 4 league MVPs. He spent 11 seasons with Cleveland over two stints. He leads the franchise in points, rebounds, assists, and steals.

His biggest highlight was his role in the historic 2016 championship comeback.

#1 – Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls)

Michael Jordan is the gold standard of NBA greatness. No player is more connected to one franchise than he is with Chicago.

Jordan averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, racking up 32,292 career points. He won six championships, six Finals MVPs, five league MVPs, and ten scoring titles.

He spent 13 seasons with the Bulls. He remains the franchise leader in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Every major individual and team achievement came while wearing a Bulls jersey.

His perfect championship record and lasting legacy make him not only Chicago’s greatest player but also the highest-ranked franchise GOAT in NBA history.

Which NBA franchise GOAT do you think deserves to be ranked higher?

Read more at Air Jordan Chronicles!