Some of the NBA's most tenured stars are looking to move up historic lists during the upcoming campaign.
Click here for a look at the records that LeBron James is set to extend and the milestones that he can establish during his unprecedented 24th season.
Here's a look at some other iconic players who are chasing career milestones heading into 2026-27.
The Cleveland Cavaliers guard could scale numerous all-time lists this season. Harden's 29,339 career points rank ninth in NBA history. He's 2,081 points away from topping Wilt Chamberlain (31,419) for eighth and 2,221 points from surpassing Dirk Nowitzki (31,419) for seventh. Harden has scored 2,081 or more points on six occasions but hasn't done it since the 2019-20 campaign.
It's far more likely that Harden will climb the all-time assists list. His 8,873 career dimes are 12th all time, and he's just 94 assists from passing Gary Payton (8,966) for 11th and 189 from vaulting over Isiah Thomas (9,061) at No. 10. Harden is one of two players in NBA history to record 29,000 or more points and 8,000-plus rebounds alongside James.
The 37-year-old doesn't get to the charity stripe the way he did in years past, but his 10,002 career free-throw attempts are just nine short of equaling Kobe Bryant for fifth most in NBA history. Harden's 8,627 made free throws are third all time and 256 away from eclipsing James.
Finally, Harden's 4,505 career turnovers put him just 20 shy of passing Karl Malone (4,524) for third in NBA history. Former teammate Russell Westbrook (5,038) and James (5,650) round out the top three.
Harden's two-time teammate Durant is also reaching the upper echelons of the league's statistical hierarchy. The Houston Rockets sharpshooter's 32,597 career points put him just 1,047 from passing Kobe Bryant (33,643) for fourth all time. Durant should get there by the midway point of the season. He's still 4,331 points from passing Karl Malone (36,928) for third.
Durant is also 99 3-point attempts from leapfrogging Vince Carter (6,168) for 10th all time. His 6,070 career made triples are 72 back of Paul George (2,449) for ninth and 73 behind Kyle Korver (2,450) for eighth entering the season.
Curry could experience an expeditious rise up the NBA's all-time scoring list in his 18th season. His 26,528 career points are good enough for 19th all time. That puts him 882 points away from leaping seven players to outpace Moses Malone for No. 12, 1,762 from passing Carmelo Anthony at No. 11, and 2,069 from taking Shaquille O'Neal's spot at No. 10.
| Rank | Player | Points | Games | Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Shaquille O'Neal | 28596 | 1207 | 23.7 |
| 11 | Carmelo Anthony | 28289 | 1260 | 22.5 |
| 12 | Moses Malone | 27409 | 1329 | 20.6 |
| 13 | Elvin Hayes | 27313 | 1303 | 21 |
| 14 | Russell Westbrook | 27176 | 1301 | 20.9 |
| 15 | Hakeem Olajuwon | 26946 | 1238 | 21.8 |
| 16 | DeMar DeRozan | 26711 | 1264 | 21.1 |
| 17 | Oscar Robertson | 26710 | 1040 | 25.7 |
| 18 | Dominique Wilkins | 26668 | 1074 | 24.8 |
| 19 | Steph Curry | 26528 | 1069 | 24.8 |
It would take the 38-year-old a little more than 77 games at last season's average (26.6 points) to eclipse O'Neal on the all-time scoring list. Curry is already the league's career leader in made 3-pointers (4,248) and attempts (10,073).
Now that Westbrook has retired, three-time MVP Jokic is all but assured of snatching the triple-doubles crown. The 31-year-old enters the 2026-27 campaign with 198 career triple-doubles and is just 12 from passing Westbrook (209) for the NBA's all-time mark. Jokic recorded 34 last season.
Jokic and Westbrook are the only players to average a triple-double in back-to-back seasons. The Serbian center is also looking to lead the league in both rebounds and assists for the second straight year. Jokic became the first player to ever accomplish that feat last season.
Reigning league scoring leader (34.8 points per game) Doncic is looking to become one of six players to win three or more scoring titles since the NBA-ABA merger. He would join Jordan (10 times), Allen Iverson (four), George Gervin (four), Durant (four), and Harden (three).
Doncic is sixth on the all-time triple-doubles list with 90 and could become one of seven players to log 100 or more for their career. He's 18 triple-doubles from surpassing Jason Kidd (107) for sixth and 36 from vaulting James for fifth (125).
Miami Heat offseason addition Thompson is slated to surpass one of the NBA's storied long-distance shooters. His 2,899 career 3-pointers are fourth all time and just 75 away from vaulting Ray Allen (2,973) for third. Among the top 20 long-range marksmen in league history, only Korver (2,450 made 3-pointers on 42.9% shooting) and Curry (4,248 on 42.2%) have been more efficient than Thompson (40.9%).
| Rank | Player | 3PM | 3PA | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steph Curry | 4248 | 10073 | 42.2 |
| 2 | James Harden | 3390 | 9323 | 36.4 |
| 3 | Ray Allen | 2973 | 7429 | 40 |
| 4 | Klay Thompson | 2899 | 7089 | 40.9 |
| 5 | Damian Lillard | 2804 | 7556 | 37.1 |
| 6 | LeBron James | 2636 | 7565 | 34.8 |
| 7 | Reggie Miller | 2560 | 6486 | 39.5 |
| 8 | Kyle Korver | 2450 | 5715 | 42.9 |
| 9 | Paul George | 2449 | 6382 | 38.4 |
| 10 | Kevin Durant | 2377 | 6070 | 39.2 |
The 36-year-old still owns the NBA records for points in a single quarter (37) and most made 3-pointers in a regular-season contest (14) and postseason game (11).
DeRozan has firmly entered Hall of Fame discussions despite a lack of team success during his career. He's racked up 26,711 career points, which puts him 16th all time and just 236 shy of passing Hakeem Olajuwon (26,946) for 15th. He's also 465 points from leaping Westbrook (27,176) for 14th, 602 from passing Elvin Hayes (27,313) for 13th, and 698 from edging Malone (27,409) for 12th.
The 37-year-old Nuggets newcomer could pass Malone in a little less than 38 games if he reproduces last season's scoring output (18.4 points per contest) and could finish the 2026-27 season within striking distance of Anthony (28,289), who's No. 11.
Quick hits
Fellow members of the 2007 draft class Mike Conley and Al Horford will play in their 20th NBA campaigns, joining an exclusive list of 12 players to appear in 20 or more seasons.
As mentioned above, Celtics newcomer George (2,449) needs only two made 3-pointers in his 17th NBA season to surpass Korver (2,450) for eighth on the league's all-time list.
Pacers boss Rick Carlisle (1,012 wins) can vault Rick Adelman (1,042) for 10th on the all-time list for victories by a coach. Adelman recorded a .582 career winning percentage versus Carlisle's .523 mark in the battle of the Ricks.
