5 active NBA players with the most triple-doubles ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season

The triple-double has become a big part of the NBA the last few seasons. Players who can do everything on the court at a high level are always welcomed on an NBA roster.

With triple-doubles becoming more and more common, many current players have a lot of games with triple-doubles. Here's a list of five current players with the most triple-doubles.

#1 Russell Westbrook, 184 triple-doubles

Russell Westbrook NBA all time leader in triple-doubles joining the Lakers

Over the last five seasons, Russell Westbrook has recorded four seasons where he has averaged a triple-double for the entire season. Westbrook is the first NBA player to record a triple-double in a whole season since Oscar Robinson's 1961-62 season.

Westbrook has almost made getting the triple-double so easy that people have stopped valuing it ever since he won the 2016-17 MVP because he can do it with such ease. On top of that, all the other players on this list getting a triple-double more consistently have made the triple-double feel less significant.

In the last five seasons since winning the MVP and starting his triple-double run, he has averaged 25.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 10.2 assists.

Westbrook has the most triple-doubles in NBA history, which means he has the most by any current player. This season on the Los Angeles Lakers with LeBron James, he might not have as many triple-doubles as we have come accustomed to.

#2 LeBron James, 99 triple-doubles

Los Angeles All-Star LeBron James taking a jumper

LeBron James is arguably the best player in NBA history, along with in the league. James is one of the most complete NBA players averaging 27 points, 7.4 assists, and 7.4 rebounds for his career.

Even though James has never averaged a triple-double like Westbrook, he has averaged more than seven assists and seven rebounds in 11 of his 18 years in the NBA.

James has always been a good rebounder due to his size, and over time has become a fantastic playmaker. In James' 17th season, he led the league in average assets per game, showing his longevity.

A big part of James’ fifth all time amount of triple-doubles, 99 of them, is because of his longevity. He has been so good for so long that it makes sense he is one triple-double from 100.

#3 James Harden, 58 triple-doubles

Brooklyn Nets All-Star James Harden with the ball

James Harden is one of the best scorers in the NBA, leading the league in scoring in three consecutive seasons from 2017-20. However, Harden has expanded his game to a better overall player, even more so as a playmaker.

Harden has averaged more than seven assists in the last seven seasons, and the rebounds have come along. While he played for the Houston Rockets, Harden often had to carry the team, leading to some fantastic triple-doubles.

Harden, for his career, has averaged 25.1 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.5 rebounds. It wouldn't look like Harden would have the eighth-most triple-doubles, 58, but he does. In the 2016-17 season, Harden totaled 22 triple-doubles, averaging 29.1 points, 11.2 assists, and 8.1 rebounds.

Harden did add 12 more triple-doubles, the second-most in a season in his career, while playing for the Brooklyn Nets for most of the season. Harden could jump up in the rankings over the course of the season if you go based on what he did last season.

#4 Nikola Jokic, 57 triple-doubles

Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic #15 taking a jumper

Nikola Jokic won MVP last season and has become one of the best players in the league. His 6-foot-11 frame running the offense is a sight to see. Jokic is a creative passer and is just a joy to watch, and as a center, he will always be an excellent rebounder. This makes him the perfect blend to be a triple-double machine.

In his MVP season, Jokic averaged 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists. In the last four seasons, Jokic has quickly become a walking triple-double, having ten or more triple-doubles in those four seasons.

Jokic has only been in the league for six seasons, and already has 57 triple-doubles, the eighth-most triple-doubles in league history. He is only one behind Harden, and if Jokic keeps getting at least ten triple-doubles, he could move up the rankings.

#5 Luka Doncic, 36 triple-doubles

Dallas Mavericks young star Luka Doncic driving into the paint

Despite Luka Doncic entering his fourth season, he is already in the top five in triple-double amongst current players. It is pretty crazy and a testament to how good Doncic has been and a glimpse into the future of his gold he can be.

Doncic has averaged 25.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 7.7 assists has shined. He has had to be the best player on the floor for the Dallas Mavericks on a nighly basis, allowing him to play a complete style. This is apparent in the number of triple-doubles Doncic has had already.

Doncic has a total of 36 triple-doubles, and in three seasons, that is 12 a season. On pace, if he plays over ten seasons, he will have 120 triple-doubles for his career. It might be possible with the workload Doncic has taken on already in his young career.