The Top 15 NBA Players Who Have Never Won A Championship
The NBA has seen an unbelievable amount of talent over the years, and that means there are bound to be players who don't reach the ultimate goal of winning the NBA Finals. These are the top 15 NBA players who have never won a championship. Before the list begins, here are some honorable mentions who missed the cut but also deserve to be mentioned.
Honorable Mentions:
Paul George
Carmelo Anthony
Damian Lillard
Vince Carter
Alex English
Pete Maravich
Chris Webber
Dikembe Mutombo
Dominique Wilkins
15: Reggie Miller, SG, 1988-2005
Reggie Miller is one of the greatest shooters the NBA has ever seen and he ranks fifth all-time in three-pointers made. Miller was an incredible playoff performer, always rising to the occasion in the postseason, but the Pacers could still never get over the hump. The Pacers made the Finals in the 1999-2000 season but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. This would be Miller's first and only NBA Finals appearance.
Career Stats: 18.2 Pts, 3.0 Reb, 3.0 Ast, 47.1% FG, 39.5% 3PT, 88.8% FT
Best Year ('89-'90): 82 G, 24.6 Pts, 3.6 Reb, 3.8 Ast, 51.4% FG, 41.4% 3PT, 86.8% FT
Accolades: HOF, 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA, NBA 75th Anniversary Team
14: Tracy McGrady, SG, 1998-2012
Tracy McGrady had an unbelievable prime as he made the All-NBA First Team multiple times in one of the most stacked eras in history. McGrady was an excellent scorer, a good passer, and a plus defender as a six-foot-eight shooting guard. It's hard to believe he never made it past the first round of the playoffs with the Magic or the Rockets, but regardless, he will always be known as one of the most talented players of the 2000s era.
Career Stats: 19.6 Pts, 5.6 Reb, 4.4 Ast, 43.5% FG, 33.8% 3PT, 74.6% FT
Best Year ('02-'03): 75 G, 32.1 Pts, 6.5 Reb, 5.5 Ast, 45.7% FG, 38.6% 3PT, 79.3% FT
Accolades: HOF, 7x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, 2x Scoring Title
13: George Gervin, SG, 1973-1986
"The Iceman" George Gervin was a world-class scorer, and that might be an understatement. He wasn't much of a passer but he didn't have to be, his job was to score the ball, and he did it as well as anyone else. Gervin was a great playoff performer, although he never even made it to the NBA Finals, he did make it to the conference finals three different times but he and the Spurs unfortunately lost all three times.
Career Stats: 25.1 Pts, 5.3 Reb, 2.6 Ast, 50.4% FG, 27.1% 3PT, 84.1% FT
Best Year ('79-'80): 78 G, 33.1 Pts, 5.2 Reb, 2.6 Ast, 52.8% FG, 31.4% 3PT, 85.2% FT
Accolades: HOF, 12x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, 4x Scoring Champ, NBA 75th Anniversary Team
12: Patrick Ewing, C, 1986-2002
Patrick Ewing is an all-time great center who played in an era full of all-time great centers, which shows how good of a player he was. Ewing was dominant down low and was one of the best interior defenders of his time. Ewing and his duo partner John Starks were so close to winning the NBA Finals in the 1993-1994 season, but they lost to the Houston Rockets led by Hakeem Olajuwon in seven games. Ewing would never make it back to the NBA Finals after this.
Career Stats: 21.0 Pts, 9.8 Reb, 2.4 Blk, 50.4% FG, 74.0% FT
Best Year ('89-'90): 82 G, 28.6 Pts, 10.9 Reb, 4.0 Blk, 55.1% FG, 77.5% FT
Accolades: HOF, 1985-86 ROTY, 11x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, 3x All-Defense, NBA 75th Anniversary Team
11: Luka Dončić, PG, 2019-Present
Luka Dončić is coming off his best career year as he and the Dallas Mavericks made it to the NBA Finals but unfortunately lost to the Boston Celtics. Luka is already one of the greatest offensive players the NBA has ever seen as he's one of the best scorers and playmakers in the league. He is looking to win his first MVP award and first NBA Finals next season, which he will be amongst the favorites for.
Career Stats: 28.7 Pts, 8.7 Reb, 8.3 Ast, 47.0% FG, 34.7% 3PT, 74.7% FT
Best Year ('23-'24): 70 G, 33.9 Pts, 9.2 Reb, 9.8 Ast, 48.7% FG, 38.2% 3PT, 78.6% FT
Accolades: 2018-19 ROTY, 5x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, 1x Scoring Title
10: Joel Embiid, C, 2017-Present
To be completely honest, Joel Embiid is still in his prime and has many more years to win the NBA Finals. Over the past few years, Embiid has solidified himself as an NBA legend despite his career playoff struggles. He is a dominant scorer on all three levels and is one of the best defenders in the NBA. If Embiid gets his long-awaited ring, he will finally remove himself from lists like these and skyrocket up all-time lists.
Career Stats: 27.9 Pts, 11.2 Reb, 3.6 Ast, 50.4% FG, 34.1% 3PT, 82.6% FT
Best Year ('22-'23): 66 G, 33.1 Pts, 10.2 Reb, 4.2 Ast, 54.8% FG, 33.0% 3PT, 85.7% FT
Accolades: 1x MVP, 7x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, 2x Scoring Title, 3x All-Defense
9: Elgin Baylor, SF, 1959-1972
Elgin Baylor was the player most affected by Bill Russell and the Celtics who dominated the NBA, winning eleven championships. Baylor was 0-7 in the NBA Finals, which is unbelievable. He was an excellent scorer and one of the best rebounding forwards of all time. Baylor was a great playoff performer, leading the NBA in playoff points per game in four different seasons.
Career Stats: 27.4 Pts, 13.5 Reb, 4.3 Ast, 43.1% FG, 78.0% FT
Best Year ('60-'61): 73 G, 34.8 Pts, 19.8 Reb, 5.1 Ast, 43.0% FG, 78.3% FT
Accolades: HOF, 1958-59 ROTY, 11x All-Star, 10x All-NBA, NBA 75th Anniversary Team
8: Russell Westbrook, PG, 2009-Present
Russell Westbrook reached a historic milestone in the 2016-17 season when he became the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double in a season. Westbrook was an excellent scorer and playmaker during his prime but could never win that ring. He still has a chance but it's looking unlikely with his career winding down. Westbrook made the Finals once in 2012 but lost to the Miami Heat and he's never been back.
Career Stats: 21.7 Pts, 7.1 Reb, 8.1 Ast, 43.8% FG, 30.4% 3PT, 77.6% FT
Best Year ('16-'17): 81 G, 31.6 Pts, 10.7 Reb, 10.4 Ast, 42.5% FG, 34.3% 3PT, 84.5% FT
Accolades: 1x MVP, 9x All-Star, 9x All-NBA, 2x Scoring Title, 3x AST Leader, NBA 75th Anniversary Team
7: John Stockton, PG, 1985-2003
John Stockton is the gold standard for what a true point guard should be. He is the all-time leader in assists and steals mainly because he rarely missed games and had an illustrious 19-year career. Stockton and Karl Malone are the best duo in NBA history to never win a championship, and it's baffling they never get it done. They got to the Finals twice but lost to the Chicago Bulls both times.
Career Stats: 13.1 Pts, 2.7 Reb, 10.5 Ast, 51.5% FG, 38.4% 3PT, 82.6% FT
Best Year ('89-'90): 78 G, 17.2 Pts, 2.6 Reb, 14.5 Ast, 51.4% FG, 41.6% 3PT, 81.9% FT
Accolades: HOF, 10x All-Star, 11x All-NBA, 9x AST Leader, 5x All-Defense, 2x STL Leader, NBA 75th Anniversary Team
6: Allen Iverson, SG, 1997-2010
Allen Iverson is one of the most iconic NBA players ever, he made kids dress up like him and want to play basketball. He was an unbelievable scorer who had to carry the load for many of the teams he was a part of. Iverson led the 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001 but they were no match for the Los Angeles Lakers. Either way, it was an accomplishment in itself that they made it there, and it was all thanks to Iverson.
Career Stats: 26.7 Pts, 3.7 Reb, 6.2 Ast, 42.5% FG, 31.3% 3PT, 78.0% FT
Best Year ('05-'06): 72 G, 33.0 Pts, 3.2 Reb, 7.4 Ast, 44.7% FG, 32.3% 3PT, 81.4% FT
Accolades: HOF, 1996-97 ROTY, 1x MVP, 11x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, 4x Scoring Title, 3x STL Leader, NBA 75th Anniversary Team
5: Steve Nash, PG, 1997-2014
Steve Nash is becoming more underrated as the years go by, he changed the NBA with the Phoenix Suns' fast-paced offense. Nash could run an offense like no other with his high basketball IQ, elite playmaking, and efficient scoring. His shooting ability was one of his best qualities and is a four-time member of the 50-40-90 club. Nash never made it to the NBA Finals but made it to the conference finals four times.
Career Stats: 14.3 Pts, 3.0 Reb, 8.5 Ast, 49.0% FG, 42.8% 3PT, 90.4% FT
Best Year ('06-'07): 76 G, 18.6 Pts, 3.5 Reb, 11.6 Ast, 53.2% FG, 45.5% 3PT, 89.9% FT
Accolades: HOF, 2x MVP, 8x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, 5x AST Leader, NBA 75th Anniversary Team
4: Chris Paul, PG, 2006-Present
"The Point God" Chris Paul has no true weaknesses in his game, he's an efficient scorer, an excellent passer, and an elite defender. It's hard to believe he's never won a ring with all those traits. He's been to the Finals once a few years back with the Phoenix Suns where he had an excellent series but lost anyway. Paul is also running out of time, but fans won't forget how good he was at his best.
Career Stats: 17.5 Pts, 4.5 Reb, 9.4 Ast, 47.1% FG, 36.9% 3PT, 87.0% FT
Best Year ('08-'09): 78 G, 22.8 Pts, 5.5 Reb, 11.0 Ast, 50.3% FG, 36.4% 3PT, 86.8% FT
Accolades: 2005-06 ROTY, 12x All-Star, 11x All-NBA, 5x AST Leader, 9x All-Defense, 6x STL Leader, NBA 75th Anniversary Team
3: James Harden, SG, 2010-Present
James Harden at his best was a truly unstoppable scorer due to his finishing, underrated shooting, and his ability to get to the free-throw line. Harden is also an excellent passer, which he improves on every year. Harden, like Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook, is running out of time and it doesn't look like he'll ever win one. His best chance as a number one option was in 2018 when he took Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and the Golden State Warriors to seven games in the conference finals.
Career Stats: 24.1 Pts, 5.6 Reb, 7.1 Ast, 44.1% FG, 36.4% 3PT, 86.1% FT
Best Year ('18-'19): 78 G, 36.1 Pts, 6.6 Reb, 7.5 Ast, 44.2% FG, 36.8% 3PT, 87.9% FT
Accolades: 1x MVP, 10x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, 3x Scoring Title, 2x AST Leader, NBA 75th Anniversary Team
2: Charles Barkley, PF, 1985-2000
Charles Barkley came so close to winning the NBA Finals in 1993, but he fell short thanks to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Barkley was an excellent scorer and rebounder despite being undersized for his position. He was an underrated passer and defender which he deserves credit for. Many fans believe he is the best player to never win a ring, and he definitely has an argument.
Career Stats: 22.1 Pts, 11.7 Reb, 3.9 Ast, 54.1% FG, 26.6% 3PT, 73.5% FT
Best Year ('92-'93): 76 G, 25.6 Pts, 12.2 Reb, 5.1 Ast, 52.0% FG, 30.5% 3PT, 76.5% FT
Accolades: HOF, 1x MVP, 11x All-Star, 11x All-NBA, 1x REB Leader, NBA 75th Anniversary Team
1: Karl Malone, PF, 1986-2004
"The Mailman" Karl Malone is one of the most talented players to ever play the game. He is third all-time in scoring, eighth in rebounding, and was an excellent defender. Malone and John Stockton just couldn't get by the Chicago Bulls, it's as simple as that. Malone is the oldest player to win the MVP, winning it at 35 in 1999. His prime lasted over a decade which means his longevity is one of the main reasons why he's the best player in NBA history to never win a ring.
Career Stats: 25.0 Pts, 10.1 Reb, 3.6 Ast, 51.6% FG, 27.4% 3PT, 74.2% FT
Best Year ('89-'90): 82 G, 31.0 Pts, 11.1 Reb, 2.8 Ast, 56.2% FG, 37.2% 3PT, 76.2% FT
Accolades: HOF, 2x MVP, 14x All-Star, 14x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, NBA 75th Anniversary Team
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