Who are the best passers in the game today? There are many ways to approach the question, but I used two related methods to create the list below. First, I evaluated the passing ability of every player in the NBA. I calculate passing ability by taking the total number of passes a player made which set up his teammates with a good scoring opportunity (whether the teammate converted or not) and dividing it by the total number of passes made by the player. <\/p>

The result tells what percent of a player\u2019s passes are highly effective passes.  I also compared those highly effective passes (passes that provide a teammate with a scoring opportunity) with a player\u2019s total touches. The resulting percentage, which I call playmaking ability, tells what percentage of a player\u2019s touches result in the player delivering a setup pass. This number will of course be reduced somewhat for scorers, but that\u2019s just fine. We want to know who are the NBA’s top 5 passers<\/em> are.<\/p>

The results of my analysis for the 2018-19 season suggest that: <\/p>

Either John Wall or LeBron James could be considered the 4th-best passer<\/h3>

John Wall\u2019s season was shortened by injury, but he was able to deliver setup passes on 29.5% of his passes and 20.0% of his touches. Only two players put up both a 30% mark in passing ability and a 20% mark in playmaking ability. And they are the top two players on the list. <\/p>

I decided to include LeBron James despite him being the only candidate to convert fewer than 20% of his touches into setup passes for two reasons: 1) He just barely missed that level, clocking in at 19.9% in playmaking ability, and 2) he delivered highly effective passes on 30.8% of his passes<\/em>, the fourth-highest rate in the league.<\/p>

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Rajon Rondo was 3rd<\/strong><\/h3>

Despite a turbulent season in Los Angeles, Rajon Rondo\u2019s passing shone through. 27.0% of Rondo’s passes gave his teammates an opportunity to score, while 21.5% of his touches resulted in scoring opportunities for his teammates. Say what you will about Rondo, but his passing talent, court vision, and basketball IQ are among the best in the game. With two outstanding passers in Rondo and James, Anthony Davis should get more good looks next season than ever. <\/p>

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Chris Paul came in 2nd<\/strong><\/h2>

No surprise here on who’s second on the list of the NBA’s top 5 passers. One of the greatest orchestrators of all time, Chris Paul turned 32.0% of his passes into scoring chances. Just as impressive, 23.2% of Paul’s touches led to scoring opportunities for his teammates. He has long straddled the line between being a true scorer and being a playmaker for others. And the 2018-19 season was no exception. Paul’s accuracy<\/a> in delivering the ball into shooters\u2019 hands before the defense rotates will be his greatest legacy. <\/p>