In the latest edition of our NBA Power Rankings, we tier all 30 projected starting shooting guards heading into the 2023-24 season.
With the official start of the 2023-24 NBA season just a few weeks away, this is a good time to begin to preview what could end up being one of the most compelling campaigns in recent league history. In an era that has been dominated by efficient offense, the shooting guard position has emerged as one of the most glamorous positions in the league.
In anticipation of the start of training camps, we power-ranked the shooting guard position in the NBA by placing all 30 projected starters in six different tiers. Let’s get to our rankings.
Tier 6 – Veteran/solid starters
Tier No. 6 is essentially where the quality starting shooting guards land. There’s no taking away from the players slotted in this tier, but they’re either past their prime years or don’t have much room to improve in their respective roles for their teams moving forward. That said, that doesn’t mean these players can’t have a positive impact on their teams.
30. Gary Harris, Orlando Magic
As they say, someone has to check in at No. 30. I don’t want to say that Gary Harris is the worst shooting guard in the NBA but at this point in his career, he’s no longer the two-way difference-maker as he was during his prime years. Harris is 29 years old and is coming off a season in which he averaged just eight points and two rebounds per game.
As the young Orlando Magic continues to develop, there’s a strong likelihood that his role with the team is going to shrink even further. For now, he’s a solid starting two-guard for the Magic. But there’s a very real chance that he doesn’t end the season as a starter for the Magic.
29. Grayson Allen, Milwaukee Bucks
Since being acquired by the Milwaukee Bucks just before the 2021-22 NBA season, Grayson Allen has been a staple in the team’s starting lineup. In two seasons, Allen has started all but seven games he’s played in during the regular season. He was the starter in all five postseason games this past season in Milwaukee too. Even though Allen has consistently been a starter in Milwaukee, I still very much believe he’s more of a stopgap player for the Bucks than a long-term mainstay.
If there was an upgrade available for the Bucks at the position, I’d have to imagine that they’d explore the option. At the moment, there isn’t. That’s why the Bucks continue to move forward with Allen at the shooting guard position. All in all, Allen is a solid starter. He may not be one of the best in the league at the position and he may be better suited as a bench player at this point in his career, but he’s still consistent enough where he’s been productive for the team.
Allen is coming off a season in which he averaged 10 points on 40 percent shooting from 3-point range. With the talent that he’s playing with in Milwaukee, you’d have to imagine he’ll be able to continue to put up similar numbers this season.
28. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Denver Nuggets
An underrated two-way player, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is now a two-time NBA Champion. After playing a key role for the Los Angeles Lakers during their NBA bubble championship, KCP was traded to the Washington Wizards as part of the package for Russell Westbrook. He then was traded just before the start of the 2022-23 NBA season to the Denver Nuggets. And, boy, what a move that ended up being for the now NBA Champion Nuggets.
KCP helped make up what is now remembered as one of the best-supporting casts in the NBA last season. The Nuggets bullied their way to the NBA Finals and KCP played an integral part in their success. During their run to the title, KCP averaged 11 points on 42 percent shooting from 3-point range. He also helped carry the defensive weight on the wing.
KCP played his best basketball last season in the Western Conference Finals against his former team, the Lakers. During that sweep, KCP averaged 15 points on 44 percent shooting from 3-point range. KCP made sure he made it known what the Lakers were missing.
KCP is a solid starting shooting guard. He may not be a star or on the path to stardom, but he’s very much an effective player at this point in his career.
27. Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets
After being signed and traded to the Charlotte Hornets a few years ago, Terry Rozier has become somewhat of a forgotten player in the league. I suppose that’s only natural when you go from playing with the Boston Celtics to the Hornets. Nevertheless, Rozier is still a solid player and while he may have already hit the prime of his career, there’s no question that he can still be an effective starter for Charlotte heading into the 2023-24 NBA season.
Rozier is coming off quite a productive season in which he averaged 21 points, five assists, and four rebounds per game. However, he did struggle with his overall offensive efficiency. And for me, that’s one of the bigger reasons why he isn’t ranked higher on this list. Heading into a season in which he’s going to be 30 years old, it’s hard for me to sit here and say that he’ll be able to improve his efficiency as he ages.
Assuming he can somewhat bounce back in that department a bit this season, and the return of LaMelo Ball should help with that, Rozier should still be considered a solid option for the team at the shooting guard position.
Tier 5 – Young talents with much to prove/high-end veteran starters
As we enter Tier No. 5 of shooting guards in the NBA, we’ll begin to explore some young talents that still have much to prove. These are young players who have flashed talent to potentially make the leap to stardom but need to prove it on a more consistent basis. This tier will also feature a few of the higher-end veteran starters that have begun to fall out of their prime years.
26. Quentin Grimes, New York Knicks
Quentin Grimes took a stride last season with the New York Knicks but didn’t exactly make the leap that many were expecting. Nevertheless, Grimes is a talented two-way guard with the potential to make the jump to stardom this upcoming season. He’ll have to prove it, though, before he’s crowned. Grimes averaged 11 points and three rebounds on 39 percent shooting from 3-point range.
With the Knicks hoping to take another step forward this season, Grimes could be a big part of that for the team. If he can emerge as a consistent fourth option for the team next to Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett, the Knicks could absolutely take another step forward in the Eastern Conference without making a splash for a star player via trade.
25. Jordan Poole, Washington Wizards
As one of the most polarizing players heading into the 2023-24 NBA season, Jordan Poole carries a lot of intrigue as he makes the move from Golden State to Washington. In a vacuum, the move in itself was quite surprising. The Warriors giving up on a 24-year-old offensive wizard seems incredibly short-sighted. You’d almost have to imagine that there was something else going on behind the scenes to prompt such a move. Nevertheless, it’s one that could end up biting the Warriors in the back down the line and one that could help jump-start Washington’s rebuild.
Even in a “down” season, Poole averaged 20 points and five assists on 43 percent shooting from the field. He started 43 games for the often-injured Warriors last season but is in line to be the full starter in Washington. He’ll now be one of the primary offensive players with the Wizards and it should be interesting to see how he continues to develop.
Poole is extremely talented, but he’s also so raw. There’s some honing that needs to take place in his game and if he can continue to take steps forward as a player, he can be ranked higher on this list moving forward. It’s not just about talent for Poole, it’s about maturity in his game in a way that helps him become the right difference-maker for his team.
24. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons
Jaden Ivey had a pretty inconsistent rookie season with the Detroit Pistons. There were shaky moments early on and then he really came on as a player during the latter portion of the season, which was a good sign for the Pistons. The key for the Pistons is finding a path toward Ivey and Cade Cunningham coexisting in the starting lineup. Cunningham was injured for most of last season so Ivey didn’t have the luxury of growing beside him. This season, that could be one of the early signs that tell us how good Detroit can be.
For Ivey specifically, there really isn’t much he can’t do offensively. He’s quick, fast, and an underrated playmaker. If he can improve and emerge as a consistent jump shooter, there is a path toward stardom for Ivey. That’s part of the reason why Detroit decided to roll the dice on him with a top 5 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
I’m really not sure how good Ivey can be, but that’s the beauty of young players. The reason why he’s already ranked near the top 20 shooting guards in the league is the fact that he has one of the highest ceilings among his peers.
23. Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs
Missing more than half of last season, it’s hard to really gauge what or who Devin Vassell can be at his peak. The good news for the San Antonio Spurs is that he’s improved in every season of his career and will likely be able to take another step forward playing next to Victor Wembanyama heading into this season. In the 38 games he appeared in last season, Vassell averaged 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists on 44 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent shooting from 3-point range.
This is a big season for Vassell. After showing signs of being a highly productive player in the short time he was healthy last season, the Spurs have to make a big decision on his future. He’s eligible for an extension this fall and considering he’s coming off his rookie deal, it would be surprising if the Spurs and Vassell didn’t come to some sort of contract extension.
Even if the Spurs and Vassell do come up with an extension, there’s no guarantee that he’s cemently considered a bit part of the team’s future. After all, look back at what happened with Dejounte Murray just last offseason.
Vassell is talented and has already shown evidence of being a productive player. That said, he still has plenty to prove.
22. Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz
Admittedly, I was somewhat surprised when it was announced that Jordan Clarkson and the Utah Jazz had come to an agreement on a contract extension. However, I suppose that should tell us all we need to know about how Utah values Clarkson. And they should. He’s been extremely productive during his time with the Jazz and has been great as somewhat of a stopgap for the team as they continue to establish a foundation for their rebuild.
Clarkson just turned 31 years old and has probably his best basketball already behind him. Still, he’s been incredibly valuable to a team that finds themselves in a bit of a flux. Clarkson averaged 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists on 44 percent shooting from the field last season as he was a full-time starter again for the first time since his sophomore season in the league.
At least for now, Clarkson will enter the season as the starter for the Jazz. Assuming that remains the case all through training camp, Clarkson is likely going to have another strong season in Utah.
21. Kevin Huerter, Sacramento Kings
Dating back to last season, there’s an argument to be made that Kevin Huerter was one of the most underrated acquisitions. The Sacramento Kings needed supporting help in the backcourt next to De’Aaron Fox and making the trade for Huerter ended up being a great move for Sacramento.
During his first year with the Kings, Huerter averaged a career-high 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists on 40 percent shooting from 3-point range. There’s no question that the 25-year-old very much benefited from the change of scenery.
I don’t think Huerter has much star potential but that’s not a bad thing. Not every productive player that enters the league has to be a star. That also doesn’t mean that he can’t be a really good player on a really good team. That’s kind of what he was for the Kings last season. He didn’t get much praise due to the other star players on the roster, but there’s no question that he played an important role in their success.
Tier 4 – Budding young stars with superstar potential
In Tier No. 4, we’re going to come across proven talented young stars who have budding superstar potential. This is not to say that every player in this tier is going to develop into a superstar but that it wouldn’t be all that surprising if they did. Admittedly, this is high praise for every player at this point in the power rankings. Each one of the players in tier 4 has proven, at the very least, that they are difference-makers in the Association.
20. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
With the way that the media has propped him up during his FIBA World Cup run with USA Basketball, checking in at No. 20 may be a bit low for Austin Reaves. But that’s a testament to how deep the shooting guard position is at the moment in the NBA. He’s coming off an impressive breakout season with the Los Angeles Lakers in which he got better with every passing week. He successfully carried that into the summer.
The big question is whether Reaves has another developmental step to take this upcoming season. If he does, it wouldn’t be surprising if he continued to make a move up this list.
19. Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
Bennedict Mathurin had one of the most underrated rookie seasons for the Indiana Pacers. Mathurin finished in the top 5 in Rookie of the Year voting and he’s just getting started. He averaged 17 points and four rebounds per game on 43 percent shooting from the field. Coming off the bench for most of the season, Mathurin flashed that he can be a worthy supporting cast player next to Tyrese Haliburton.
Mathurin has areas of his game that he certainly has to improve heading into next season. He needs to continue to prove that he can be a consistent 3-point shooter – he only shot 32 percent from deep. But that’s something he can surely improve on heading into his second season in the league.
Admittedly, I may be a bit higher on Mathurin than most. No. 19 may be a bit high considering he hasn’t even been a full-time starter yet. However, I believe that he has the potential to be a breakout star for the Pacers this season.
If Indiana does emerge as a potential playoff team in the Eastern Conference this season, Mathurin will have to make a leap in his development. I anticipate that he will.
18. Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers
One very big reason why the Portland Trail Blazers aren’t that interested in the prospect of adding Tyler Herro in a potential package for Damian Lillard revolves around Anfernee Simons and the potential developmental jump that he could be preparing to make heading into this season. As a late first-round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, you can make the argument that Simons has already surpassed logical expectations during his first five seasons with the Blazers.
Coming off the best season of his career to date, Simons averaged 21 points and four assists on 38 percent shooting from 3-point range. And the hope is that he will take another tangible step in his progression as a player. If he can, the Blazers could really be onto something with their current core.
While he’s clearly talented, it’s about consistency and proving it over the course of another 82-game season. Simons needs to continue to stack productive seasons together in order to move up on this list. He has the potential to be a star player in this league but needs to continue to grow as a player, particularly defensively and as a playmaker.
17. Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
As one of Jalen Green’s biggest fans coming out of college during the 2021 NBA Draft, it’s pretty clear how important the 2023-24 NBA season will be for him. When it comes to production, Green has been fine through his two seasons in the league. He averaged 22 points and four assists on 34 percent shooting from 3-point range this past season. However, if the Houston Rockets are going to make the jump in the Western Conference standings that some believe they can, Green is going to have to be much more efficient and selective on the offensive end of the floor.
But there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to do that. There’s a difference or change that happens when young players become stars. They’re not just productive, but they’re efficiently productive. You can’t say that about Green just yet. That’s the one thing that I’m personally looking for most this season.
Don’t get this twisted; Green is not terribly inefficient. But there are places in his offensive game that needs to work on. And the hope is that he’ll be the best version of himself heading into the start of the season. If he can be, there’s no question that it’s only a matter of time before he shoots up this list. Green is one of the most talented offensive young players in the NBA. It’s time for him to start putting it all together.
16. Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder has one of the most talented young rosters in the league. While most of the attention is given to Shai Gileous-Alexander, there are several other young players on the team who deserve their shine. Josh Giddey is one of them. In his second season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Giddey averaged 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists per game on 48 percent shooting from the field.
Giddey has the potential to be an intriguing player in the league and the jump that he made from his rookie to second season in the league is quite encouraging. If there’s one drawback for Giddey, it’s the fact that his 3-point shot is still developing. But with how much he impacts the game in all facets on the offensive end of the floor, OKC is able to be patient on that front.
Year three will be key for Giddey. This is the year when we often see the biggest jumps in young players. If he is going to blossom into a star, we’ll likely begin to see the early signs of that this year. If the Thunder are a playoff team this season in the West, Giddey will be a big part of their improvement.
15. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
There’s a strong argument to be made that with how the conversation has evolved this offseason, Tyler Herro is one of the most polarizing players in the league. Some believe that he has the potential to continue to develop into a star while others already believe that he’s hit his ceiling as a player. No matter what side of the conversation you find yourself in, one thing is clear – Herro is a supremely talented offensive player. And you can’t really deny that after the first few years of his career.
In back-to-back seasons, Herro has averaged 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game on at least 44 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent shooting from 3-point range. The big question for Herro revolves around how much room he still has to grow as a player. Not to mention that he may or may not be in Miami when the season begins.
No matter where Herro ends up playing this season, there’s reason to believe that he could be in for the best season of his career to date.
14. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
With the uncertainty that is revolving around James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers, one thing has become clear heading into the 2023-24 NBA season – and it’s that if the Sixers are going to play any kind of factor in the Eastern Conference, they’re going to need Tyrese Maxey to step up in a big way. Even though he has flashed signs of potential during his first three years in Philadelphia, I’m not sure if that’s something the Sixers can completely bank on heading into the season.
The talent is there for Maxey. The big question is whether he’s ready to carry that type of load with the expectations that it will carry starring opposite of Joel Embiid. On paper, Maxey could be in line for a big season. I’m kind of in a place where I have to see it to believe it before I declare him a star player in the league.
Maxey is coming off a season in which he averaged 20 points, four assists, and three rebounds on 48 percent shooting from the field and 43 percent shooting from 3-point range. Maxey has the talent to make the jump to stardom. The real question is, will it all come together this season?
Tier 3 – Budding young high-end stars/consistent high-end veteran stars
In Tier No. 3, we’re shifting toward the high-end young stars who are not superstars just yet but have a much more proven track record than those who find themselves in Tier No. 4. We’ll also run into a few high-end veteran stars who may already find themselves on the wrong end of their prime years. We’ll start with one of the best, and underrated, two-way stars in the NBA at the moment.
13. OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors
There’s an argument to be made that with a larger role, OG Anunoby would be a bigger name in the NBA. And we may finally be inching closer to that possibility in Toronto. If the Raptors do end up moving forward to embracing their youth movement, Anunoby is going to be taking on a bigger role with the team. That could open the door to Anunoby taking another step in his progression and perhaps finally making the jump to mainstream star.
Just think of it this way; Anunoby is coming off back-to-back seasons in which he’s averaged 17 points and five rebounds per game. The fact that he’s posting those numbers as the third or fourth option is quite impressive.
12. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
Look, I’m not buying that the Golden State Warriors will be able to start Stephen Curry and Chris Paul together in the backcourt and be successful. I think there’s a chance they could trot that lineup out to start the season, but I still very much consider Klay Thompson to be the starting shooting guard right now for the Warriors. Even though Thompson will be 34 years old by the time the NBA Playoffs begin for the 2023-24 season, he’s still one of the better shooting guards in the league.
It’s unfortunate that Thompson had to overcome back-to-back significant injuries a few seasons ago because if that never happened, there’s a good chance we’d be talking about the Warriors’ historic dominance in the league – but that’s a different conversation for another day. Despite everything that Thompson has had to overcome over the last few seasons, he averaged 22 points and four rebounds on 41 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Not only is Thompson still one of the best 3-point shooters in the league heading into this season, but he’s also going to be remembered as one of the best marksmen in league history. He may not be the player he was defensively a few seasons ago, but he’s still no slack on that end of the floor.
11. Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks
When the Atlanta Hawks went all-in on Dejounte Murray last offseason, it was a move that was surrounded by concern. For one, Murray was far from a sure thing in the NBA. He was developing in San Antonio but was not a “star player” just yet. Nevertheless, the Hawks believed in his talent and potential, and decided to take the gamble. I suppose you can say that it paid off. Murray picked up where he left off in San Antonio and averaged 21 points, six assists, and five rebounds per game on 46 percent shooting from the field.
If there is any question about Murray, it comes with his fit next to Trae Young. Heading into this season, Young and Murray must continue to prove that this duo can work together. Even after one semi-successful season, the jury is still out for the Hawks. And that’s probably the biggest reason why they’re at least open to the idea of making another big move.
On paper, the Hawks have the talent to compete with almost any other team in the Eastern Conference. And Murray is a big part of that. The encouraging part of it all is that he’s still getting better as a player.
10. Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies
Because of the star power that surrounds Ja Morant, it’s easy to forget just how talented some players in his supporting cast are in Memphis. Desmond Bane happens to be one of those players. At the shooting guard position, Bane offers the Memphis Grizzlies an underrated dynamic offensive player who is better than he gets credit for by most on the defensive end of the floor. Bane has the potential to be a future All-Star and I anticipate he’ll begin to get more praise as he continues to churn out consistent, productive seasons.
In just his third season in the league, Bane averaged 22 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 41 percent shooting from 3-point range. He’s consistently the Grizzlies’ second or third-best player (depending on what you think about Jaren Jackson Jr.), and may just be entering the prime of his career.
Bane isn’t the household name that he probably should be at this point, but the talent is there. There isn’t much that Bane can’t do on the basketball floor.
9. Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets
For the majority of his career, Mikal Bridges had been viewed, for the most part, as a strong supporting cast player next to Devin Booker. He wasn’t asked to carry the load for the Phoenix Suns at all and was great at being the second or third option on the offensive end of the floor. However, when he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, all that changed. The perception of Bridges took a turn and he’s now considered by many a budding star in the league. But, again, we’ll need to see him do it over the course of an entire season before he gets crowned as one.
Bridges had a good 30-game stretch in which he averaged 26 points and five rebounds on 48 percent shooting from the field after he was traded from Phoenix to Brooklyn at the NBA Trade Deadline. However, he’ll need to prove that he can continue to post those numbers on a consistent basis this season. That’s probably the biggest reason he isn’t ranked higher on this list.
Bridges has the talent and potential to be a top 5 shooting guard in the NBA. If he can be that, there’s no question that the Nets could emerge as a problem in the Eastern Conference this season.
8. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
Because of the lack of winning, Zach LaVine is one of the polarizing top-tier shooting guards in the NBA. I believe that he’s one of the most underrated two-way players in arguably the deepest position group that the NBA has to offer. The fact that the Chicago Bulls have struggled to maintain any consistent level of winning over the last few years has hurt, but LaVine has been pretty good for the team since he was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves over five years ago.
This past season, LaVine averaged 25 points, five rebounds, and four assists on 49 percent shooting from the field. The underwhelming supporting cast that Chicago has surrounded him with has undoubtedly impacted the way he’s viewed around the league. It’ll be interesting to see the path the Bulls elect to take with LaVine over the next couple of seasons. If Chicago does elect to retool or hit the rebuild button, we could get a clearer picture of how the rest of the league views LaVine.
He may not be a superstar at this point in his career but he’s easily one of the 10-best shooting guards in the NBA heading into the 2023-24 season.
Tier 2 – Offensive wizards/fringe superstars
In Tier 2, we begin to see some of the best offensive players that the NBA has to offer. Some may label these stars as one-way players but their talent on that end of the floor is second to none in the Association. Some players on this list may be considered superstars by some while others are on the cusp of getting there. No matter where these players may fall on your list, one thing is clear – they’re incredibly talented and are huge difference-makers for their respective teams.
7. Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
I debated placing Brandon Ingram as a small forward when starting this experiment but since he’s listed as a shooting guard, I ultimately decided to include him on this list. While he’s far from a perfect player, especially on the defensive end of the floor, he’s one of the best offensive wings in the league. Ingram is coming off a season in which he averaged 25 points, six assists, and six rebounds per game.
If Ingram and Zion Williamson can remain healthy, the New Orleans Pelicans will be a dangerous dark horse threat in the Western Conference this season. However, Ingram, specifically, has only played more than 62 games in a season once throughout the first seven years of his career.
6. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Deep down, I debated intensely with myself about putting Anthony Edwards higher on this list. When it comes to a talent perspective, you can make the argument that there may not be a better shooting guard than Edwards. However, he’s still young (22 years old) and needs to continue to develop before he gets anointed as the next big star to emerge in the Association. In the end, I thought it was probably best to keep him at No. 6.
There’s no need to overreact to the impressive summer he’s had playing for USA Basketball in the FIBA World Cup, though that is encouraging to see. Despite the Minnesota Timberwolves’ inconsistent play during the season, Edwards averaged 25 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game on 46 percent shooting from the field. He’s already proving that he has superstar potential and might be the savior that the Wolves have been waiting for since Kevin Garnett was traded nearly 20 years ago.
If Edwards puts together another impressive offensive season while also carrying the Wolves to the playoffs once again, he’s easily going to be considered a top-5 shooting guard in the NBA, and maybe better.
5. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Understandably so, the recent narrative that has developed around Jaylen Brown over the past couple of months is the fact that he’s now the most overpaid player in the NBA. While that may be the case, depending on who you ask, after he signed a $300-plus million contract extension, we must also consider the facts when it comes to Brown. And the facts are that Brown is a really, really great player. Call him overpaid or not, but he’s proven that he can help carry a team to the NBA Finals.
Last season, Brown had a career year in which he averaged 27 points, seven rebounds, and four assists per game on 49 percent shooting from the field. He struggled in the playoffs a bit, as nearly every Boston Celtics player did, but he has proven enough over the course of the first seven years of his career that he’s due a brain fart or two in the postseason.
Let’s not forget that Brown was (probably) the best player for the Celtics in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors two seasons ago. The Celtics aren’t considered a perennial championship contender without Brown. He’s a huge part of the team’s future and is one of the five best shooting guards in the NBA.
4. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Last summer, Donovan Mitchell was the big story as the Utah Jazz elected to trade him to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a historic haul. Utah decided it was time to move on from the Mitchell-Rudy Gobert duo, and completely hit the reset button. Mitchell, who was already playing at a star level, was given a fresh start that he probably needed at that point in his career.
Mitchell used the fresh start, along with the chip on his shoulder, to turn in the best season of his career thus far. Mitchell averaged 28 points, four rebounds, and four assists per game this past season in Cleveland.
Mitchell is still just 27 years old and is probably entering the core years of his prime. I wouldn’t say that he’s getting better but there’s no question that you can make the argument that he hasn’t put together his best seasons to date. Part of that is winning and part of that is also just clicking on every level with his new teammates in Cleveland. There is much intrigue heading into the season for Mitchell and the Cavs, and it’s easy to see why.
3. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
When it comes to talent, you can make an argument that Kyrie Irving should be a notch or two higher on this list of shooting guards. His off-the-court baggage aside, Kyrie is one of the most talented guards that we’ve ever seen play in the NBA. Even at 31 years old, in which he’s probably past the best seasons of his career, Kyrie (from a basketball perspective) is probably the third-best shooting guard in the league.
In each of the last four seasons, Kyrie has averaged at least 27 points and six assists per game on close to 50 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent shooting from 3-point range. He struggles at times on the defensive end of the floor, especially when he’s defending bigger shooting guards, but his offensive skill set is so good that more often than not, his defensive woes are worth the hassle.
Kyre is in an interesting spot with the Dallas Mavericks heading into this season and if he can figure out how to coexist with Luka Doncic, this is a team that will have the ability to make some noise in the Western Conference. But that’s far from a guarantee.
Tier 1 – Elite, complete shooting guards
Deep down, I felt like there were two shooting guards that were head and shoulders above the rest. They’re the most consistent, talented, and proven of two-guards in the league. That’s the biggest reason I felt I needed to add another tier. These two superstars are in a tier of their own in this ranking.
2. Paul George, LA Clippers
In some ways, Paul George is one of the most polarizing players in the league. In the end, I had a difficult time placing many other shooting guards over him on this list. While he’s had his shortcomings in the past, he’s consistently been one of the better shooting guards in the league since he broke through during the 2013-14 NBA season with the Indiana Pacers. Now with the LA Clippers, he’s the biggest reason why they’re considered a dark horse threat to win the NBA title if they can remain healthy.
It’s not just that PG is one of the most consistent offensive players in the league, it’s that he’s also a good defender on the other end of the floor. He’s a more complete player than he gets credit for and should get love for being a top-2 shooting guard in the NBA.
1. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
After such a polarizing decision to put Paul George at No. 2 on this rankings, I believe that this move won’t be met with much disagreement. I don’t think anyone would argue in saying that Devin Booker is the best shooting guard in the NBA. The fact that he’s still only 26 years old is pretty scary. Booker is extremely talented and while he hasn’t had his marquee moment yet in the NBA, that’s likely coming.
Booker averaged 28 points, six assists, and five rebounds per game on 49 percent shooting from the field last season. Paying next to Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, there’s a good chance that his numbers will take a hit this season but that shouldn’t take away from just how talented Booker is.
Even on such a star-studded team, there’s an argument to be made that the Phoenix Suns are only going to go as far as Booker can take them. Booker is in his prime, probably hasn’t even hit his ceiling yet, and is easily the best shooting guard in the league.
With the trajectory that he’s on, there’s a chance he could get into the conversation of best players in the league in a few years.