Ranking The 10 Most Unselfish NBA Stars Right Now

How often do we see the best player in the universe be the most unselfish? That is the enigma named Nikola Jokic. We have never seen a dominant player of his caliber be so humble, focused on teammates, and not attached to praise like him. 

Jokic might be a three-time MVP, NBA champion, and former Finals MVP, but he doesn't carry himself like it. In fact, he doesn't even look like a superstar player. He finds the game too easy, and he makes it look easier. Oftentimes, he foregoes praise and instead pushes it to his teammates. 

Last season alone, Jokic averaged a triple-double, averaging 10.2 assists per game and holds a career average of 7.2 per game as a center. He now has four seasons completed with at least 8.0 assists per game, and his turnovers per game for a career are only 2.9 per game. If that doesn't describe selflessness and playing the right way, nothing does.

Could it be a lack of ego that drives Jokic to play for others? Or is it just that he doesn't care much about status or basketball in general? Whatever it is, we call it unselfishness, and it works for him. 

2. LeBron James

LeBron James’ legacy certainly comes with baggage, just ask former teammate Richard Jefferson, who candidly admitted, “Playing with LeBron sucks”, because of The King's impressive work ethic and even the drama that follows him. But on the court? Very few players embody selflessness like LeBron does. 

Despite being the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, he’s equally celebrated as one of the greatest passers in league history. Former Lakers coach Frank Vogel boldly called him the best passer ever, with a career average of 7.4 assists per game, and posted 8.2 assists per game last season at 40 years old.

Even in late-career seasons, LeBron chose to lead the league in assists (10.2 per game in 2019-20) instead of chasing scoring titles he could’ve won long ago. He frequently speaks about how “assist has always been my favorite” because it gives teammates opportunity, and that mindset, over two decades, has made him one of the most unselfish superstars in NBA history. 

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo 

Giannis Antetokounmpo may be one of the most physically imposing and ball-dominant superstars in NBA history, but that doesn’t stop him from making the unselfish play when it matters most. His leadership off the ball is a perfect example, because he leads by example in terms of never making bad plays. 

Despite being a power forward who stands 6'11", he is an elite passer and has worked on improving this part of his game. It is often not the requirement for a power forward to pass the ball, but he has posted 5.0 assists per game for his career and dropped 6.5 per game last season alone. 

That means, instead of always asserting himself as the “alpha,” Giannis often tries to make his teammates better, challenging them to step up for the team, and reinforcing teamwork instead of egos. That accountability and empathy define a star who doesn’t just speak humility, but he acts it, in both decision-making and attitude. 

4. Tyrese Haliburton

Tyrese Haliburton’s entire brand is built on careful, creative playmaking, even when he could easily pile up points. His 12.7 assists per game ranked first in the NBA, and he’s carved out historical efficiency: multiple games with 30+ points, 15+ assists, 5+ threes, and zero turnovers, an NBA first. 

He’s also the only player ever to rack up 500 assists before 100 turnovers in a season. Haliburton has the talent to average 25 points per night with ease, but he opts to use his passing gifts first because he will elevate the others around him and possibly be in championship contention because of that. 

5. Jalen Williams  

All-Star Jalen Williams is the quintessential co-star: gifted enough to take over games, yet selfless enough to embrace his role alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City’s title run. His rookie-to-champion ascension included clutch bouts of scoring and playoff heroics, but what stood out was his refusal to force the issue. 

Despite being capable of 30-point nights, Jalen averaged a balanced stat line that favored team play: scoring only when opportune, facilitating when needed (5.1 APG last season), and staying grounded when the spotlight dimmed. Early post-game interviews show Williams consistently emphasizing "us, not me", and we highly respect that. 

6. Stephen Curry 

Stephen Curry’s unselfishness is as much a weapon as his shooting. He’s constantly making the pass that winds up being the “touchdown” assist, such as split-second decisions to give Draymond Green the ball and let him run the offense during the final seconds before Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, or even role players hit game-winners. 

Interestingly, despite Curry being a scorer, he holds an impressive career average of 6.4 assists per game. Last season, he dropped 6.0 per game, and he is a willing passer if his look isn't the best at the basket. He also doesn't mind sharing the spotlight.

We have seen that in the past from Curry. Allowing Kevin Durant to join the Warriors with open arms is a firm example, and even being willing to accept moving without the ball and waiting to get the ball is a form of unselfishness. His smile grows whenever others get the shine, and that hasn't changed one bit. 

7. Derrick White 

Derrick White’s entire Celtics tenure is a study in sacrifice. He joined a team overflowing with stars and willingly became the glue guy, dropping usage, upping his defense, and filling voids wherever needed. He is a willing passer (4.8 APG last season), consistent defender (0.9 SPG, 1.0 BPG), and should be tracked in terms of making scrappy plays for the sake of his teammates.

He freely credits his teammates for "buying into" the selfless culture, with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown reducing their touches and allowing White to thrive in his adapted role. White has sacrificed his own stats and potential All-Star berths for the sake of winning, and we find it hard not to include him among the 10 most unselfish stars because of that. 

8. Jimmy Butler 

Jimmy Butler may be known for intensity, but his on-court selflessness has become a defining trait, most recently with the Warriors. Since the trade, he’s increased his passes per game by nearly 9, from 40.7 to 49.6, and ramped up his assists (5.4 APG) and secondary assists significantly.  

Coach Steve Kerr praised how Butler “connects the game” through his passing, pointing out that he “does it from anywhere”, whether diving to the post, dribbling from the wing, or running the point in a pinch. The reason he wants to sacrifice? He wants to win. Badly. 

We don't see that often in today's game, and Butler is doing it through raw basketball IQ and pure unselfishness. Hopefully, Jimmy can be a little more selfish next season because Stephen Curry and the Warriors will need as much help as they can get to reach their championship goals.

9. Jayson Tatum 

Jayson Tatum’s evolution isn’t just statistical, it’s personal. Stemming from the 2023-24 championship run, Tatum consciously dialed back his usage, especially beyond the arc and in isolation, to let his backcourt duel with Jaylen Brown take priority. 

Tatum posted a career-high 6.0 assists per game last season, despite averaging 26.8 PPG, and has averaged at least 4.0 assists per game in five straight seasons. He has worked on becoming a better passer and all-around player instead of focusing on his offensive gifts, which is why he has an NBA championship ring on his hand.

We have noted that he willingly surrendered shots and touches, sacrificing individual numbers so that the Celtics’ collective machine could hum. Not to mention, allowing Brown to shine and capture both the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and Finals MVP has to be respected. 

10. Kevin Durant 

Kevin Durant isn’t one to chase stats just to make headlines; instead, he slots into offenses accepting team-first roles. On the Warriors, he praised their environment as one where “players who are selfless and enjoy the game in its purest form,” showing how winning topped all else behind the scenes. 

Durant has only averaged 18.7 field-goal attempts per game for his career and 4.7 threes per game, numbers which could be doubled, and nobody would make a fuss. He is that lethal offensively, yet he doesn't force the issue, and he always makes the right play when available. Despite being a four-time scoring champion, KD averaged 4.4 assists per game for his career.

That balance is rare in a franchise-level scorer, making Durant’s approach stand apart: someone who could average 35 PPG but just wants to play the right way. Sure, he has caused some drama with the Nets and Suns, and that makes him seem selfish, but on the court, he isn't close to that.

Honorable Mention

Jrue Holiday 

Jrue Holiday is another example of believing in team basketball, evidenced by his 6.2 assists per game career average. Defensively, he anchored the Celtics’ gritty playoff pushes over the last two seasons, locking up top scorers and turning stops into momentum-changing possessions, like his nine points, four assists, and two steals in just one third-quarter run during Game 1 against Orlando. 

As a new member of the Portland Trail Blazers, Holiday hopes to make a similar impact for a new team. Time and time again, Holiday is praised for his humility because he doesn't need the spotlight and just wants to win. Case in point: two championship rings in his trophy cabinet.