Answer
Gary Payton, the legendary point guard, amassed an impressive 8,966 assists throughout his illustrious career. This remarkable tally ranks him ninth all-time in NBA history, a testament to his exceptional court vision and playmaking abilities. Payton's pinpoint passing and uncanny ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates played a pivotal role in the success of his teams, including the Seattle SuperSonics, where he spent the majority of his career.