If you’ve watched even twenty minutes of a Lakers or Thunder game lately, you already know the vibe. The whistle blows. The arena groans. A star player walks slowly to the charity stripe, wipes their hands on their jersey, and settles in for another two points. It feels like it happens every other possession. Honestly, it sort of does.
The question of who shot the most free throws this season isn't just about box scores; it’s about how the modern NBA is actually played. We are currently sitting in the heart of the 2025-26 season, and the leaderboard for free throw attempts (FTA) looks like a "who’s who" of primary ball-handlers and physical anomalies.
The King of the Stripe: Luka’s New Empire
Right now, nobody is breathing the same air as Luka Dončić when it comes to living at the line. Now that he's rocking the purple and gold in Los Angeles, the spotlight on his foul-drawing has only intensified. Luka is currently leading the league with a staggering 11.8 free throw attempts per game.
Think about that for a second. That is nearly 12 points a night—give or take a few misses—just from standing 15 feet away with no one guarding him. He’s averaging 33.6 points per game, and nearly a third of that production is coming from the stripe.
Why does he get there so much? It’s not just "superstar calls." It’s his size. At 6'8" and roughly 230 pounds, he uses that massive frame to shield the ball. Defenders get frustrated, they reach, and Luka—being the master manipulator he is—sells the contact. He’s currently hitting about 79.8% of those shots. Not elite, but when you're taking 12 a night, it adds up fast.
The Surprising Runner-Up: Deni Avdija’s Breakout
If you had Deni Avdija as the second-highest free throw generator on your bingo card, you're either a genius or a Portland Trail Blazers superfan. Deni has been an absolute revelation this season. He’s currently sitting right behind Luka, averaging 9.7 FTA per game.
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It’s a different style than Luka’s. While Luka is methodical and slow, Deni is a relentless downhill attacker. He’s basically turned into a 6'9" battering ram for the Blazers. Because he’s also shooting a respectable 36.1% from three, defenders can’t just sag off him. When they close out too hard, he blows by them and forces the help defense to either give up a layup or hack him. More often than not, they hack him.
The Usual Suspects: SGA and The Beard
You can't talk about who shot the most free throws this season without mentioning Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Shai is a surgeon. He’s third in the league at 9.1 attempts per game, but here’s the kicker: he’s way more efficient than the guys above him.
SGA is knocking down 89.1% of his free throws. When he gets to the line, it’s basically a guaranteed two points for OKC. Opposing fans hate it. They call him a "free throw merchant," but the reality is that his footwork is so deceptive that defenders are constantly out of position.
Then there’s James Harden. Even at this stage of his career with the Clippers, "The Beard" still knows every trick in the book. He’s fourth in the league, averaging 8.7 attempts. He might not have the same first step he had in 2018, but he has the "veteran savvy" to hook an arm or lean into a defender at exactly the right moment to hear that whistle.
The Top 5 Free Throw Attempt Leaders (Per Game)
| Player | Team | FTA/G | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Dončić | LAL | 11.8 | 79.8% |
| Deni Avdija | POR | 9.7 | 79.6% |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | OKC | 9.1 | 89.1% |
| James Harden | LAC | 8.7 | 88.8% |
| Austin Reaves | LAL | 7.5 | 87.3% |
Why the High Volume Matters
It’s easy to complain about free throws slowing down the game. Trust me, I get it. But for these players, getting to the line is the ultimate "get out of jail free" card. When your jump shot isn't falling, or the opposing team is on a 10-0 run, drawing a foul is the only way to settle the game down.
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Austin Reaves is a perfect example. He’s fifth in the league in attempts. He isn't the fastest guy on the court, and he certainly isn't the strongest. But he is incredibly crafty. He understands the geometry of the defense. By getting to the line 7.5 times a game, he keeps the Lakers' offense afloat even when LeBron or Luka are taking a breather.
The Big Men Dilemma: Giannis and Embiid
You might notice some massive names missing from the very top of that list. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid are usually the kings of the charity stripe. This season, though, things have shifted slightly.
Giannis is still a monster, but his attempts are hovering around 9.8 per game (though some sources show his seasonal average fluctuating depending on his recent health). The issue for Giannis isn't getting there; it's making them. He’s shooting around 66.7%, which is actually an invitation for teams to foul him intentionally.
Embiid has dealt with the usual injury bugs, which has kept his total volume lower than usual. When he’s on the floor, he’s still drawing fouls at an elite rate—about 7.8 attempts per game—but the 76ers have been cautious with his minutes.
The Evolution of the Whistle
The 2025-26 season has seen a slight shift in how officiating is handled. Early in the year, there was a directive to stop rewarding "non-basketball moves." You know the ones—the rip-throughs or the way players used to jump sideways into a defender.
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Despite that, the stars have adapted. The players leading the league in free throws now aren't necessarily "foul baiting" as much as they are simply being too big and too fast for single coverage. When you look at who shot the most free throws this season, you're looking at a list of players who force the defense into impossible choices.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re tracking these stats for fantasy basketball or just to win an argument at the bar, keep a few things in mind:
- Watch the "Free Throw Rate": Players like Adem Bona and Mitchell Robinson have insane free throw rates (FTA per field goal attempt), but they don't play enough minutes to lead the league in total volume. Total volume is a star's game.
- Context of Teams: Notice that the Lakers have two players in the top five (Luka and Reaves). This is a schematic choice. They want to play in the half-court and draw contact.
- The Home Whistle Myth: While people love to talk about home-court advantage, the top leaders like SGA and Deni Avdija have remained remarkably consistent with their foul-drawing regardless of the arena.
The race for the most free throw attempts usually mirrors the scoring title race. As the playoffs approach and defenses tighten up, expect these numbers for Luka and Shai to actually go up. When the game slows down, the whistle becomes the most valuable tool in the shed.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the Lakers. With Luka recently dealing with some groin soreness, his total attempts might dip if his aggressiveness drops, which could open the door for someone like SGA to take the crown by the All-Star break.