NBA Betting: The Best Picks to Lead the League in Assists

One of the big talking points of the NBA offseason is projecting which players are poised for exceptional or disappointing seasons. Who could break out with career-best seasons? Which players are past their prime and could be on the decline?

With the NBA regular season tipping off on October 24, it's time to call our shots.

FanDuel Sportsbook is offering various NBA player stats odds for the 2023-24 season. This includes anything from the points-per-game leader for the 2023-24 season to player-specific props -- such as if a player will average 24.0 points per game (PPG) or 8.0 assists per game (APG).

Let's dig into the lines for stat leaders in the 2023-24 campaign, focusing today on who could lead the NBA in assists.

Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers (+190)

Tyrese Haliburton enters the 2023-24 season as the favorite to lead the Association in assists -- for good reason. The fourth-year guard has steadily seen his stats rise, and he comes off a career-best season with an All-Star appearance, 20.7 points per game (PPG), and 10.4 assists per game (APG).

His 10.4 dimes per game was the second-best mark in the NBA. However, Haliburton played in only 56 games, making him ineligible for the assist-leading crown (players must play in at least 58 games). Still, the former Iowa State Cyclones guard is in an excellent position to lead the league in assists.

Among guards in the 2022-23 season, Haliburton led the NBA with 72.8 passes per game and 19.8 potential assists per game. He also finished second with 27.4 points created from assists per game and 12.6 adjusted assists per game.

Another leap could be imminent, which could potentially increase his assist total yet again. Haliburton also had a career-high 23.8% usage rate in the 2022-23 season. The Indiana Pacers, who are +118 to make the playoffs when looking at FanDuel's NBA playoff odds, could look to use Haliburton even more.

Meeting the 58-game mark is a concern after he failed to play in only 56 games last season. However, Haliburton has played in at least 58 games in two of three seasons.

Let's check out Haliburton's top competition for the assist title.

Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks (+480)

Trae Young is no stranger to stacking assists; he has recorded at least 9.3 APG in four consecutive seasons. Young recorded his best mark yet in the 2022-23 season, averaging 10.2 dimes per game (second).

His usage rate has also been over 32.4% in four consecutive seasons, meaning Young consistently has the ball in his hands. Even with Dejounte Murray joining the team, Young had a 32.4% usage rate in the 2022-23 season -- the seventh-highest mark in the league.

Young also carried the second-best mark with 17.2 potential assists per game last season. After posting 741 assists last season, will the two-time All-Star guard repeat as the assist champion?

Alongside Young, James Harden (+500) and Nikola Jokic (+750) are also among the top four favorites to lead the Association in assists. Harden led the league with 10.7 APG, and he ranked first with 27.6 points created from assists per game.

Of course, Jokic is one of the best passing big men of all time. He comes off a career-high 9.8 dimes per game. Expect the Denver Nuggets to continue to put the ball in Jokic's crafty hands; he led the NBA with 75.0 passes per game last season.

Haliburton, Young, Harden, and Jokic are the clear top four to lead in assists. What about some longshot options, though? Which players could yield big profits with intriguing odds?

Longshots

LaMelo Ball has the fifth-shortest odds to lead in assists (+950). Although Ball played in only 36 games in the 2022-23 season, he makes an intriguing case to contend for the assist title.

His assist total has increased in every season with 8.4 APG as his latest mark. Ball had a career-high 30.1% usage rate in the 2022-23 season. The 6-foot-7 guard also ranked seventh with 14.3 potential assists per game.

Darius Garland is a ring below Ball with the sixth-shortest odds (+1100). He saw his assist total dip to 7.8 APG last season, compared to 8.6 in the 2021-22 season. Garland's usage rate would need to rise after falling to 26.8% last season. However, this is a tall task with Donovan Mitchell as the clear top dog of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Luka Doncic (+2600), Domantas Sabonis (+2600), and Josh Giddey (+3900) could be the next best bets. Jokic gets the recognition as the league's best passing big man, but don't sleep on Sabonis. He's not quite on Jokic's level, but Sabonis averaged a career-high 7.3 dimes per game last season while making 65.2 passes per game (fifth).

Luka is a stat-sheet-stuffer, but he recorded his second-lowest APG mark last season (8.0). Plus, Kyrie Irving will likely eat some of Doncic's ball-handling duties. In fact, Doncic's assist average fell from 8.2 APG to 7.5 APG when Irving joined Dallas.

Giddey could be one of the most interesting names on this list. He has yet to eclipse 6.4 APG during his two-year career. However, Giddey has established himself as a key playmaker in the Oklahoma City Thunder's offense. This is an emerging unit too, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Giddey also averaged 11.6 potential assists per game and ranked 10th among qualifying players with 56.9 passes per game. The 21-year-old guard could be poised for a significant jump in assists with the Thunder headed in the right direction.

Final Verdict

Haliburton is the clear choice to lead the league in assists. He has a high volume of passes and has enough scoring talent around him to cash in his dimes.

Harden will always be a contender for an assist title, but he is still absent from the Philadelphia 76ers. Placing any bet on Harden could be foolish right now. He could sit out for an extended period as he attempts to force a trade.

Young and Ball could be Haliburton's best competition. Young has played in at least 73 games in back-to-back seasons, and he comes off a career-high 10.2 APG. Ball has increased his assist total in every season and should have a high usage rate on the Charlotte Hornets, who have a projected win total of just 31.5.

Do you think you know which NBA players are poised for an impressive 2023-24 season? Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook's NBA player stats odds market to bet season-long player stats with America's Number One Sportsbook. Be sure to check out other basketball betting options, as well.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.