List of National Basketball Association career turnovers leaders

This article provides two lists:

A list of National Basketball Association players by total career regular season turnovers recorded.[1]
A progressive list of turnover leaders showing how the record increased through the years.[2]

Turnover Leaders

This is a list of National Basketball Association players by total career regular season turnovers recorded.[2]

Statistics accurate as of the conclusion of the 2014-15 season
^ Active NBA player
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
† Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[3]
Rank Player Position(s) Team(s) played for (years)[4] Total turnovers Games played Turnovers per game
average[5]
1 Malone, KarlKarl Malone* PF Utah Jazz (1985–2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)		 4,524 1,476 3.07
2 Stockton, JohnJohn Stockton* PG Utah Jazz (1984–2003) 4,244 1,504 2.82
3 Kidd, JasonJason Kidd† PG Dallas Mavericks (1994–1996)
Phoenix Suns (1996–2001)
New Jersey Nets (2001–2008)
Dallas Mavericks (2008–2012)
New York Knicks (2012–2013)		 4,003 1,391 2.88
4 Bryant, KobeKobe Bryant^ SG Los Angeles Lakers (1996–present) 3,881 1,280 3.0
5 Malone, MosesMoses Malone* C Buffalo Braves (1976)[6]
Houston Rockets (1976–1977)[6]
Houston Rockets (1977–1982)
Philadelphia 76ers (1982–1986)
Washington Bullets (1986–1988)
Atlanta Hawks (1988–1991)
Milwaukee Bucks (1991–1993)
Philadelphia 76ers (1993–1994)
San Antonio Spurs (1994–1995)		 3,804 1,247 3.05
6 Thomas, IsiahIsiah Thomas* PG Detroit Pistons (1981–1994) 3,682 979 3.76
7 Olajuwon, HakeemHakeem Olajuwon*[7] C Houston Rockets (1984–2001)
Toronto Raptors (2001–2002)		 3,667 1,238 2.96
8 Ewing, PatrickPatrick Ewing* C New York Knicks (1985–2000)
Seattle SuperSonics (2000–2001)
Orlando Magic (2001–2002)		 3,537 1,183 2.99
9 Johnson, Earvin "Magic"Earvin "Magic" Johnson* PG Los Angeles Lakers (1979–1991, 1996) 3,506 906 3.87
10 Theus, ReggieReggie Theus PG/SG Chicago Bulls (1978–1984)
Kansas City/Sacramento Kings (1984–1988)
Atlanta Hawks (1988–1989)
Orlando Magic (1989–1990)
New Jersey Nets (1990–1991)		 3,493 1,026 3.40
11 Nash, SteveSteve Nashdagger PG Phoenix Suns (1996–1998)
Dallas Mavericks (1999–2004)
Phoenix Suns (2004–2012)
Los Angeles Lakers (2012–2015)		 3,478 1,217 2.9
12 Pierce, PaulPaul Pierce^ SF Boston Celtics (1999–2013)
Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014)
Washington Wizards (2014–present)		 3,458 1,250 2.8
13 Barkley, CharlesCharles Barkley* PF Philadelphia 76ers (1984–1992)
Phoenix Suns (1992–1996)
Houston Rockets (1996–2000)		 3,376 1,073 3.15
14 O'Neal, ShaquilleShaquille O'Neal† C Orlando Magic (1992–1996)
Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2004)
Miami Heat (2004–2008)
Phoenix Suns (2008–2009)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2010)
Boston Celtics (2010–2011)		 3,310 1,207 2.74
15 Duncan, TimTim Duncan^ PF/C San Antonio Spurs (1997–present) 3,291 1,331 2.5
16 Iverson, AllenAllen Iverson† SG/PG Philadelphia 76ers (1996–2006)
Denver Nuggets (2006–2008)
Detroit Pistons (2008–2009)
Memphis Grizzlies (2009)
Philadelphia 76ers (2009–2010)		 3,262 914 3.57
17 Pippen, ScottieScottie Pippen* SF Chicago Bulls (1987–1998)
Houston Rockets (1999)
Portland Trail Blazers (1999–2003)
Chicago Bulls (2003–2004)		 3,257 1,178 2.76
18 Parish, RobertRobert Parish* C Golden State Warriors (1976–1977)[6]
Golden State Warriors (1977–1980)
Boston Celtics (1980–1994)
Charlotte Hornets (1994–1996)
Chicago Bulls (1996–1997)		 3,183 1,534 2.07
19 Garnett, KevinKevin Garnett^ PF/C Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–2007)
Boston Celtics (2007–2013)
Brooklyn Nets (2013–present)		 3,163 1,424 2.2
20 Jackson, MarkMark Jackson PG New York Knicks (1987–1992)
Los Angeles Clippers (1992–1994)
Indiana Pacers (1994–1996)
Denver Nuggets (1996–1997)
Indiana Pacers (1997–2000)
Toronto Raptors (2000–2001)
New York Knicks (2001–2002)
Utah Jazz (2002–2003)
Houston Rockets (2004)		 3,155 1,296 2.43
21 Miller, AndreAndre Miller^ PG Cleveland Cavaliers (1999–2002)
Los Angeles Clippers (2002–2003)
Denver Nuggets (2003–2006)
Philadelphia 76ers (2006–2009)
Portland Trail Blazers (2009–2011)
Denver Nuggets (2011–2013)
Washington Wizards (2014–present)		 3,084 1,265 2.4
22 James, LeBronLeBron James^ SF Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010)
Miami Heat (2010–2014)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2014–present)		 3,067 911 3.4
23 Payton, GaryGary Payton* PG Seattle SuperSonics (1990–2003)
Milwaukee Bucks (2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)
Boston Celtics (2004–2005)
Miami Heat (2005–2007)		 3,030 1,335 2.27
24 Drexler, ClydeClyde Drexler* SG Portland Trail Blazers (1983–1995)
Houston Rockets (1995–1998)		 2,977 1,086 2.74
25 Jordan, MichaelMichael Jordan* SG Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998)
Washington Wizards (2001–2003)		 2,924 1,072 2.73
26 Strickland, RodRod Strickland PG New York Knicks (1988–1990)
San Antonio Spurs (1990–1992)
Portland Trail Blazers (1992–1996)
Washington Bullets/Wizards (1996–2001)
Portland Trail Blazers (2001)
Miami Heat (2001–2002)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2002–2003)
Orlando Magic (2003–2004)
Toronto Raptors (2004)
Houston Rockets (2005)		 2,862 1,094 2.62
27 English, AlexAlex English* SF/PF Milwaukee Bucks (1976–1977)[6]
Milwaukee Bucks (1977–1978)
Indiana Pacers (1978–1980)
Denver Nuggets (1980–1990)
Dallas Mavericks (1990–1991)		 2,821 1,133 2.49
28 Bird, LarryLarry Bird* SF/PF Boston Celtics (1979–1992) 2,816 897 3.14
29 King, BernardBernard King* SF New Jersey Nets (1977–1979)
Utah Jazz (1979–1980)
Golden State Warriors (1980–1982)
New York Knicks (1982–1985, 1987)
Washington Bullets (1987–1991)
New Jersey Nets (1993)		 2,791 874 3.19
30 Oakley, CharlesCharles Oakley PF Chicago Bulls (1985–1988)
New York Knicks (1988–1998)
Toronto Raptors (1999–2001)
Chicago Bulls (2001–2002)
Washington Wizards (2002–2003)
Houston Rockets (2004)		 2,785 1,282 2.17
31 Williams, BuckBuck Williams PF New Jersey Nets (1981–1989)
Portland Trail Blazers (1989–1996)
New York Knicks (1996–1998)		 2,784 1,307 2.13
32 Thorpe, OtisOtis Thorpe PF/C Kansas City/Sacramento Kings (1984–1988)
Houston Rockets (1988–1995)
Portland Trail Blazers (1995)
Detroit Pistons (1995–1997)
Vancouver Grizzlies (1997–1998)
Sacramento Kings (1998)
Washington Wizards (1999)
Miami Heat (1999–2000)
Charlotte Hornets (2000–2001)		 2,774 1,257 2.21
33 Kemp, ShawnShawn Kemp PF/C Seattle SuperSonics (1989–1997)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1997–2000)
Portland Trail Blazers (2000–2002)
Orlando Magic (2002–2003)		 2,766 1,051 2.63
34 Allen, RayRay Allen^ SG Milwaukee Bucks (1996–2003)
Seattle SuperSonics (2003–2007)
Boston Celtics (2007–2012)
Miami Heat (2012–present)		 2,709 1,300 2.1
35 Wade, DwyaneDwyane Wade^ SG Miami Heat (2003–present) 2,679 781 3.4
36 Wilkins, DominiqueDominique Wilkins* SF Atlanta Hawks (1982–1994)
Los Angeles Clippers (1994)
Boston Celtics (1994–1995)
San Antonio Spurs (1996–1997)
Orlando Magic (1999)		 2,669 1,074 2.49
37 Porter, TerryTerry Porter PG/SG Portland Trail Blazers (1985–1995)
Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–1998)
Miami Heat (1999)
San Antonio Spurs (1999–2002)		 2,666 1,274 2.09
38 Stackhouse, JerryJerry Stackhouse† SG Philadelphia 76ers (1995–1997)
Detroit Pistons (1997–2002)
Washington Wizards (2002–2004)
Dallas Mavericks (2004–2009)
Milwaukee Bucks (2010)
Miami Heat (2010)
Atlanta Hawks (2011–2012)
Brooklyn Nets (2012–2013)		 2,641 970 2.72
39 Sikma, JackJack Sikma C Seattle SuperSonics (1977–1986)
Milwaukee Bucks (1986–1991)		 2,586 1,107 2.34
40 Richmond, MitchMitch Richmond* SG Golden State Warriors (1988–1991)
Sacramento Kings (1991–1998)
Washington Wizards (1998–2001)
Los Angeles Lakers (2001–2002)		 2,579 976 2.64
41 Chambers, TomTom Chambers PF/C San Diego Clippers (1981–1983)
Seattle SuperSonics (1983–1988)
Phoenix Suns (1988–1993)
Utah Jazz (1993–1995)
Charlotte Hornets (1997)
Philadelphia 76ers (1997)		 2,549 1,107 2.30
42 Marbury, StephonStephon Marbury† PG Minnesota Timberwolves (1996–1999)
New Jersey Nets (1999–2001)
Phoenix Suns (2001–2004)
New York Knicks (2004–2008)
Boston Celtics (2009)		 2,547 846 3.01
43 Davis, WalterWalter Davis SF/SG Phoenix Suns (1977–1988)
Denver Nuggets (1988–1991)
Portland Trail Blazers (1991)
Denver Nuggets (1991–1992)		 2,541 1,033 2.46
44 Abdul-Jabbar, KareemKareem Abdul-Jabbar*[8] C Milwaukee Bucks (1969–1975)[6]
Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1977)[6]
Los Angeles Lakers (1977–1989)		 2,527 929 2.72
45 Willis, KevinKevin Willis PF/C Atlanta Hawks (1984–1994)
Miami Heat (1994–1996)
Golden State Warriors (1996)
Houston Rockets (1996–1998)
Toronto Raptors (1999–2001)
Denver Nuggets (2001)
Houston Rockets (2001–2002)
San Antonio Spurs (2002–2004)
Atlanta Hawks (2004–2005)
Dallas Mavericks (2007)		 2,520 1,424 1.77
46 Walker, AntoineAntoine Walker† SF Boston Celtics (1996–2003)
Dallas Mavericks (2003–2004)
Atlanta Hawks (2004–2005)
Boston Celtics (2005)
Miami Heat (2005–2007)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2007–2008)		 2,504 893 2.80
47 Dantley, AdrianAdrian Dantley* SF Buffalo Braves (1976–1977)[6]
Indiana Pacers (1977)
Los Angeles Lakers (1977–1979)
Utah Jazz (1979–1986)
Detroit Pistons (1986–1989)
Dallas Mavericks (1989–1990)
Milwaukee Bucks (1991)		 2,503 878 2.85
48-(T) Robinson, Clifford R.Clifford R. Robinson PF Portland Trail Blazers (1989–1997)
Phoenix Suns (1997–2001)
Detroit Pistons (2001–2003)
Golden State Warriors (2003–2005)
New Jersey Nets (2005–2007)		 2,502 1,380 1.81
48-(T) Parker, TonyTony Parker PG San Antonio Spurs 2001-present 2,502 1,008 2.5
50 Howard, DwightDwight Howard C/PF Orlando Magic (2004-2012)
Los Angeles Lakers(2012–2013)
Houston Rockets (2013-present)		 2,499 809 3.1

Progressive List of Turnover Leaders

This is a progressive list of turnover leaders showing how the record increased through the years.[2]

Statistics accurate as of the end of the games of April 15, 2015.
^ Active NBA player
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
† Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[3]
Team Abbreviations Team listed is the one player was on when he established the record.
ATLAtlanta Hawks DETDetroit Pistons MILMilwaukee BucksPHOPhoenix Suns
BOSBoston Celtics HOUHouston Rockets NJNNew Jersey Nets SASSan Antonio Spurs
CHIChicago Bulls INDIndiana Pacers NYKNew York Knicks UTAUtah Jazz
CLECleveland Cavaliers KCKKansas City Kings OKCOklahoma City Thunder VANVancouver Grizzlies
DALDallas Mavericks LALLos Angeles Lakers ORLOrlando MagicWASWashington Wizards
DENDenver Nuggets MIAMiami Heat PHIPhiladelphia 76ersWSBWashington Bullets
NBA Progressive Leaders and Records for Turnovers for Every Season
Season Year-by-Year Leader TOV Active Player Leader TOV Career Turnover Record TOV Single Season Record TOV Season
1977-78 Artis Gilmore*CHI366Artis Gilmore*CHI366Artis Gilmore*CHI366Artis Gilmore*CHI3661977-78
1978-79 George McGinnisDEN346Kevin PorterDET697Kevin PorterDET6971978-79
1979-80 Micheal Ray RichardsonNYK359George McGinnis
DEN 1979–80
IND 1980–81		939George McGinnis
DEN 1979–80
IND 1980–81		9391979-80
1980-81 Moses Malone*HOU308116011601980-81
1981-82 Isiah Thomas*DET
Adrian Dantley*UTA		299Moses Malone*
HOU 1981–82
PHI 1982–86
WSB 1986–88
ATL 1988–91
MIL 1991-93
PHI 1993–94
SAS 1994–95		1448Moses Malone*
HOU 1981–82
PHI 1982–86
WSB 1986–88
ATL 1988–91
MIL 1991-93
PHI 1993–94
SAS 1994–95		14481981-82
1982-83 Ray WilliamsKCK335171217121982-83
1983-84 Jeff RulandWSB3421962 19621983-84
1984-85 Ralph Sampson*HOU3262248 22481984-85
1985-86 Charles Barkley*PHI35025092509 1985-86
1986-87 Ron HarperCLE3452711 27111986-87
1987-88 Karl Malone*UTA325 29602960 1987-88
1988-89 Kevin JohnsonPHO322 32053205 1988-89
1989-90 Isiah Thomas*DET3223437 3437 1989-90
1990-91 Magic Johnson*LAL314 35743574 1990-91
1991-92 John Stockton*UTA286 3724 3724 1991-92
1992-93 Shaquille O'Neal†ORL307373437341992-93
1993-94 Jim JacksonDAL334379337931993-94
1994-95 Glenn RobinsonMIL313 380438041994-95
1995-96 Jason Kidd†DAL328 Magic Johnson*LAL3506 1995-96
1996-97 Allen Iverson†PHI337John Stockton*UTA32011996-97
1997-98 Antoine WalkerBOS29233621997-98
1998-99 Shareef Abdur-RahimVAN186Karl Malone*
UTA 1998–03
LAL 2003–04		3473 1998-99
1999-00 Jerry Stackhouse†DET3113704 1999-00
2000-01 3263948Karl Malone*
UTA 2000–03
LAL 2003–04		3948 2000-01
2001-02 Jason Kidd†NJN2864211 4211 2001-02
2002-03 Steve FrancisHOU29944214421 2002-03
2003-04 Paul Pierce^BOS303452445242003-04
2004-05 Allen Iverson†PHI344Rod StricklandHOU28622004-05
2005-06 Gilbert Arenas†WAS297Gary Payton*MIA2964 2005-06
2006-07 Dwight Howard^ORL31730302006-07
2007-08 Steve Nash†PHO295Jason Kidd†
NJN 2007–08
DAL 2008–12
NYK 2012–13 		32772007-08
2008-09 Russell Westbrook^OKC27434622008-09
2009-10 Steve Nash†PHO29536572009-10
2010-11 Russell Westbrook^OKC31638362010-11
2011-12 John Wall^WAS255 3927 2011-12
2012-13 James Harden^HOU29540032012-13
2013-14 John Wall^WAS295Kobe Bryant^LAL37532013-14
2014-15 James Harden^HOU321 3881 2014-15
SeasonYear-by-Year LeaderTOVActive Player LeaderTOVCareer Turnover RecordTOVSingle Season RecordTOVSeason

See also

References

  1. ↑ The National Basketball Association did not record turnover statistics until the 1977–78 season.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "NBA Progressive Leaders and Records for Turnovers". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 A player is not eligible for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame until he has been fully retired for five calendar years or is deceased; player was not eligible for induction upon the commencement of the 2013–14 NBA season.
  4. ↑ American Basketball Association (ABA) teams other than those admitted into the NBA in 1976 are not included; each year is linked to an article about that particular NBA season.
  5. ↑ Average is rounded to the nearest hundredth and its calculation does not include games played in seasons before blocks were officially recorded.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Turnovers were not yet recorded during the player's tenure with this team and season(s).
  7. ↑ Previously written as Akeem Olajuwon prior to official spelling change March 9, 1991.
  8. ↑ Known as Lew Alcindor prior to May 1, 1971.

External links