The rankings for guards in the upcoming NBA season present an intriguing look at the talents and personalities shaping the league. With familiar faces and rising stars, this list delivers insights into their performances, challenges, and potential impacts on their respective teams.
Kyrie Irving’s Consistency
Kyrie Irving, ranked 10th among guards and 25th overall, has consistently proved his worth on the court. Despite the Mavericks' struggles, Jasmyn Wimbish notes, "he put together one of his best seasons to date without ruffling any feathers... The Mavericks certainly wouldn't have made it to the NBA Finals without him... Irving still has the best handle in the league, can easily get to the rim and score from all three levels."
Maxey's Rise in Philadelphia
Tyrese Maxey, ranked 9th among guards and 24th overall, stepped up impressively after James Harden’s departure from Philadelphia. Jack Maloney observes, "After James Harden's departure, Maxey stepped into the No. 2 role in Philadelphia last season and made the leap... rewarded with the Most Improved Player award."
Donovan Mitchell’s Career Highs
Donovan Mitchell, holding the 8th spot among guards and 19th overall, achieved multiple career highs last season. As Brad Botkin phrases it, "Mitchell registered career highs... he assumed total control of the offense... he is virtually unstoppable when he gets going downhill as a pull-up shooter." Accounting for his leadership as Cleveland's lone playmaker, Mitchell’s performance stands out.
Impactful Tyrese Haliburton
Tyrese Haliburton, at 7th among guards and 17th overall, had a significant season despite an injury midway through. Sam Quinn highlights, "When Tyrese Haliburton got hurt on Jan. 9, he was averaging 23.6 points per game... that's a total of 55.9 points of offense generated."
Ja Morant’s Struggles and Excitement
Despite struggling with injuries and suspensions, Ja Morant remains among the league’s most exciting players. Ranked 6th among guards and 16th overall, Morant's future performance is highly anticipated. Jack Maloney reflects, "At his best, Morant is one of the most exciting guards in the league... whether or not Morant can return to an All-NBA level is one of the biggest storylines to watch."
Devin Booker’s Underrated Excellence
Devin Booker, who is ranked 5th among guards and 14th overall, transitioned to the point guard role for Phoenix last season, which resulted in a career-high year in assists. Jasmyn Wimbish points out, "Booker has arguably become one of the most underrated players in the league... he’s liable to drop 40+ points on you."
Jalen Brunson’s Playoff Heroics
Jalen Brunson, placing 4th among guards and 13th overall, delivered extraordinary performances in the playoffs. James Herbert notes, "In May, Brunson became the fourth player in NBA history... to score 40 points or more in four consecutive playoff games... he had a total of 16 40-point games in 2023-24."
Stephen Curry’s Timeless Talent
Stephen Curry, ranked 3rd among guards and 6th overall, continues to showcase his unparalleled shooting and movement, even at 36 years old. Brad Botkin acknowledges, "Curry is still an offense unto himself with his inimitable movement and pure shot-making talent... he needs better talent around him to make his way back into title contention."
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Impact
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, ranked 2nd among guards and 4th overall, led the NBA in drives for the fourth straight year and was last season's MVP runner-up. James Herbert highlights, "Last year's MVP runner-up... led the NBA in drives for the fourth straight season... shot 69% at the rim and 51% from midrange... nobody recorded more steals than Gilgeous-Alexander."
Luka Doncic’s Dominance
At the top spot among guards and 3rd overall, Luka Doncic continues to impress with his remarkable skills. Coming off the best statistical year of his career, Doncic led the league in scoring. At just 25 years old, Jasmyn Wimbish observes, "Even after six years in the league... he plays at the pace of paint drying on a wall, and yet... the most elite defenders couldn't stop him... he's still only 25 years old."
As the new NBA season approaches, the expectations for these top guards are higher than ever. Their performances, character, and ability to lead will undoubtedly shape the narratives and success of their respective teams.