The NBA usage rate statistic is a measure that estimates the percentage of team plays used by a player while he was on the floor.
It gives a clearer picture of how much a player is involved in the team’s offense.
Let’s check out the players with the highest usage rates in NBA history, showing their roles, styles of play, and impact on their teams.
On the other side, check out the players with the lowest Usage Rates in NBA history.
The Overview
| Player | Peak Usage Season | Usage Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Jordan | 1986-1987 | 38.3 |
| Russell Westbrook | 2016-2017 | 41.7 |
| Allen Iverson | 2001-2002 | 37.8 |
| Kobe Bryant | 2005-2006 | 38.7 |
| James Harden | 2018-2019 | 40.5 |
| Dwyane Wade | 2008-2009 | 36.2 |
| LeBron James | 2017-2018 | 31.6 |
Players With Highest Usage Rate
1. Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan, often heralded as the G.O.A.T, also tops the list when it comes to usage rate.
During the 1986-1987 NBA season, Jordan recorded a usage rate of 38.3%. This was the season where he averaged a staggering 37.1 points per game, 4.6 assists and 5.2 rebounds.
Jordan’s high usage rate reflects his role as the primary scorer and playmaker for the Bulls, who were actually a terrible team at the time, and with Jordan as the focal point in all aspect, it’s no surprise he tops the list here.
2. Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is known for his dynamic playing style and has frequently led the league in usage rate during his career.
His peak usage came in the 2016-2017 season, where he notched a usage rate of 41.7%, the highest in a single season in NBA history.
This season saw Westbrook average a leage high 31.6 ppg, 10.4 assists and 10.7 rebounds, in an incredible triple-double season.
A feat that shows his all-around impact on the game and his team’s dependence on his performance.
3. Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson, one of the toughest scoring guards in NBA history, also had seasons of extremely high usage rates.
Notably, during the 2001-2002 season, Iverson had a usage rate of 37.8%.
In this season, Iverson averaged 31.4 points per game, 5.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds. This was one of Iverson’s four NBA scoring title years.
His relentless scoring ability and fearless drives into the paint made him the focal point of the Philadelphia 76ers’ offense.
4. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant, AKA the Black Mamba, was known for his scoring and killer instinct, had several seasons where his usage rate was among the highest in the league.
His highest came in the 2005-2006 season when he recorded a usage rate of 38.7%.
In this year Kobe averaged 35.4 points, 4.5 assists and 5.3 rebounds, in one of his two scoring title years, the second being the folloiwng year where he averaged 31.6 ppg.
This was the season where Kobe famously scored 81 points in a single game.
5. James Harden
James Harden’s highest usage season was in 2018-2019, with a rate of 40.5% with the Houston Rockets.
Harden scored 36.1 points and led the league in scoring, also adding 7.5 assists and 6.5 rebounds.
Harden’s play style, which heavily involves isolation plays and high volume shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, makes him a primary offensive force on his team.
6. Dwyane Wade
During the 2008-2009 NBA season, Dwyane Wade recorded a usage rate of 36.2%, one of the highest in his career.
This year saw stats of a leage leading 30.2 ppg, a career high 7.5 apg and 5.0 rebounds per game.
This season was Wade at his peak, using his speed, agility, and craftiness to dominate games.
His ability to draw fouls, make shots under pressure, and create plays made him the primary option for the Miami Heat, especially in clutch situations.
7. LeBron James
LeBron James, considered one of the most versatile players in NBA history, has had seasons of high usage rates, though not as extreme as some others on this list.
His highest usage rate was during the 2017-2018 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he recorded a 31.6% usage rate.
This season saw LeBron average 26.4 ppg, 8.7 assists and 8.6 rebounds per game.
LeBron’s style of play involves controlling the tempo of the game, distributing the ball, and scoring, which makes him a central figure in any team he is part of.
Find this interesting? Check out the players with the highest PER ratings in NBA history.
