Ranking Every NBA Starting Point Guard in 2026
The NBA has never been more loaded at point guard. From perennial MVP candidates and championship-tested superstars to rising young stars ready to take the league by storm, nearly every team has someone capable of taking over a game with the ball in their hands.
But not all starting point guards are created equal. And with another NBA season upon us, the hierarchy at the position is as competitive (and controversial) as ever.
So, taking into account production, efficiency, playmaking, defense, team impact, upside and what each player brings to the table right now, it’s time to settle the debate.
From No. 30 all the way to the top, here's our ranking of all 30 NBA starting point guards. Let's predict who's going to ball out the most this season.
Mikel Brown Jr.
Brooklyn Nets
2025-26 Stats: N/A
There may not be a more difficult starting point guard situation to project than Brooklyn’s. The Nets have accumulated a collection of extremely young ball-handlers in Egor Demin, Nolan Traore and Mikel Brown Jr., leaving the franchise without an established answer at the position. Demin’s 6'9" frame also gives Brooklyn the flexibility to use him away from the point, opening the door for Mikel Brown—who's projected to start—to eventually take control of the offense. If there's one guard the Nets appear prepared to bet heavily on, it’s Brown. Brooklyn selected him sixth overall in the 2026 NBA Draft after he averaged 18.2 points and 4.7 assists during his lone season at Louisville, giving the franchise a potential starfor its rebuild.
But predictions are all we have to go off of and potential can only carry him so far in a ranking like this. Brown is just 20 years old, has yet to play a single NBA game and is currently working his way back from an ankle injury that has largely limited him throughout training camp. And that's even more concerning considering the kid didn't accumulate much college film due to the same injuries. There simply isn’t enough to evaluate yet. Brown could fly up this list quickly once we actually see what he looks like against NBA competition. Until then, putting an unproven rookie at No. 30 is the easiest call on the board.
Davion Mitchell
Miami Heat
2025-26 Stats: 9.3 PPG · 2.7 RPG · 6.5 APG · 49.0% FG
Davion Mitchell is the best example on this list of a player being ranked low without actually being a bad player. Mitchell remains an elite point-of-attack defender, capable of making life miserable for opposing guards with his strength, quickness and ability to fight through screens. He also became a much more reliable offensive player than he was earlier in his career. Last season, Mitchell averaged 9.3 points and 6.5 assists while shooting 49.0% from the field and 39.5% from three, giving Miami an efficient low-usage playmaker who is uber efficient without offense being his main calling card.
That's huge and makes him a perfect fit for a team seemingly built on defense.
The problem is that this ranking is loaded with guards who can create significantly more offense on their own. Mitchell is an excellent complementary roleplayer, but he's rarely going to be the engine of an elite offense or the player Miami turns to when it desperately needs a bucket. But his defense, efficiency and playmaking keep him from being anywhere close to a liability. Still, compared to the rest of the league’s starting point guards, his limited scoring ceiling leaves him near the bottom of the list.
Darius Acuff Jr.
Sacramento Kings
2025-26 Stats: N/A
I might be getting ahead of myself here, but Darius Acuff Jr. has a chance to make this ranking look conservative by the end of his rookie season. Sacramento selected the young guard seventh overall after a dominant freshman season at Arkansas where he averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists while shooting 48% from the field and 44% from three. Acuff is already an advanced three-level scorer, plays with tremendous force for his age and size and has the shot-creation ability to eventually develop into one of the league’s high-scoring lead guards. More importantly, the opportunity to get buckets is going to be given to him immediately.
The Kings are coming off a disastrous 22-win season and desperately need a long-term answer at point guard. Acuff is projected to step directly into the starting lineup and should have the ball in his hands plenty as Sacramento begins building its next core. His combination of talent, opportunity and expected usage gives him a legitimate chance to put up significant numbers right away. Putting Acuff ahead of someone like Davion Mitchell might surprise some people, especially considering Acuff hasn’t played an NBA regular-season minute yet. But this ranking is partially a bet on what these players will provide this season, and Sacramento is going to rely heavily on its rookie guard. There could be mistakes and growing pains, but the upside is high and Acuff should have every opportunity to prove it from Day 1.
Fred VanVleet
Houston Rockets
2025-26 Stats: N/A
There might not be a more difficult player to rank on this list than Fred VanVleet. At his best, VanVleet is exactly what a coach wants from a veteran lead guard. He can organize an offense, create his own shot, take care of the basketball and make the players around him better. He has an All-Star appearance, a championship ring and years of experience running NBA offenses at a high level. But we also haven't seen him play a meaningful NBA game in well over a year. VanVleet missed the entire 2025-26 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee, and the warning signs had already started to appear before the injury. During his last healthy regular season, he averaged 14.1 points and 5.6 assists while shooting just 37.8% from the field, easily one of the least efficient seasons of his career.
The encouraging news is that VanVleet has returned to full practices and five-on-five action and appears on track to reclaim his role as Houston's starting point guard. His presence alone should make life easier for a Rockets offense that badly missed his organization and ball security last season. Still, there's a difference between being cleared to play and immediately returning to your previous form. VanVleet is now 32 years old and coming off the most significant injury of his career, with Houston expected to manage his workload early. Putting a former All-Star this low may look disrespectful, and a healthy VanVleet could make this ranking age terribly. But until we see how much of the old Fred is actually left, there are too many questions to place him any higher.
Jalen Suggs
Orlando Magic
2025-26 Stats: 13.8 PPG · 3.9 RPG · 5.5 APG · 43.5% FG
Jalen Suggs has to turn the good flashes into sustained production. There is absolutely no questioning what Suggs brings defensively. He's one of the most disruptive guards in basketball, capable of hounding ball-handlers for 94 feet, blowing up passing lanes and setting the tone with his physicality. His lone All-Defensive Second Team selection was well deserved, and when healthy, he remains one of Orlando's most impactful defenders. The offensive side is where I'm still waiting for more. Suggs averaged 13.8 points and 5.5 assists across 57 games last season while shooting 43.5% from the field and 33.9% from three. Those aren't disastrous numbers, and his playmaking has improved considerably since entering the league, but we're now entering his sixth NBA season and still waiting for him to become a consistently dangerous offensive lead guard.
Availability has become another major concern. Suggs has dealt with injuries throughout his career, and last season he missed 25 games. For a Magic team trying to move beyond simply making the playoffs, they need their starting point guard on the floor consistently. The talent is still clear as day. Suggs is only 25, already has an All-Defensive selection to his name and impacts winning in ways that don't always appear in the box score. But entering this season, I want to see two things: better health and more aggression offensively. Until then, I'm done ranking Jalen Suggs based on what he might grow into.
Ryan Rollins
Milwaukee Bucks
2025-26 Stats: 17.3 PPG · 4.6 RPG · 5.6 APG · 47.2% FG
Ryan Rollins was one of the biggest breakout stories in basketball last season. After spending the first three years of his career mostly fighting for consistent playing time, Rollins took full advantage of his opportunity in Milwaukee. The 24-year-old averaged 17.3 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals while shooting an impressive 47.2% from the field and 40.6% from three. He also finished fifth in Most Improved Player Voting. And this wasn't empty production on a struggling team. Rollins proved capable of creating his own offense, attacking off the dribble and passing the rock. He started 67 games for Milwaukee and gave the Bucks one of their few consistent bright spots during an otherwise miserable 32-win season.
Now Bucks fans are asking themselves whether or not he can do it again. Milwaukee has entered an entirely new era following the departure of Giannis, and Rollins should remain firmly involved in the rotation. Tyler Herro will likely receive plenty of offensive attention, but I think Rollins can comfortably play alongside other scoring threats while still creating opportunities for himself. At only 24 years old, there's plenty of room for another leap. Last season showed that Rollins belongs in an NBA starting lineup. If the shooting and playmaking continue at anything close to this level, No. 25 could end up looking far too low.
Coby White
Charlotte Hornets
2025-26 Stats: 17.4 PPG · 3.4 RPG · 4.0 APG · 44.6% FG
Coby White has proven that when he gets rolling, he can score with just about anybody at the position. The former UNC standout has developed into an explosive three-level scorer who can catch fire in a hurry, whether he's attacking the basket, pulling up off the dribble or letting it fly from deep. White enjoyed the best season of his career in 2024-25, averaging 20.4 points per game, and was putting up more than 18 a night for Chicago last season before being dealt to Charlotte. Now, for the first time in a while, he should have some stability. With LaMelo Ball no longer in Charlotte, the Hornets have handed White an opportunity to take over as their starting point guard after signing him to a three-year contract. His versatility also gives them options, since White is capable of playing both guard positions.
White's scoring will be especially important for a Charlotte team that seems far off from making the playoffs or even challenging ANYONE in the Easter Conference. Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel remain central pieces of the Hornets' future, but having another guard capable of exploding for 25 or 30 points on any given night gives this offense another dimension. Wether or not White will provide more than scoring is another question. He's never been an elite distributor or defender, but he knows what his calling card is and he can produce that at a high level.
Ty Jerome
Memphis Grizzlies
2025-26 Stats: 19.7 PPG · 2.8 RPG · 5.7 APG · 47.4% FG
This might end up being way too low. Ty Jerome barely got any opportunity to play last season, but when he actually stepped onto the floor, he was nothing short of spectacular. After injuries wiped out the overwhelming majority of his year, Jerome appeared in just 15 games for Memphis and averaged 19.7 points and 5.7 assists while shooting 47.4% from the field and a blistering 42.0% from three. And somehow, those numbers don't completely illustrate how productive he was. Jerome averaged those 19.7 points in just 22.6 minutes per game, giving him one of the highest scoring rates in basketball on a per-minute basis. He consistently created his own offense, knocked down shots from all three levels and showed that his breakout season as a reserve in Cleveland wasn't necessarily a fluke.
Now Memphis may finally give him the opportunity to run the show. Following a disastrous 25-win season and the departure of Ja Morant, the Grizzlies desperately need reliable perimeter offense. Cameron Boozer could quickly establish himself as the face of the franchise, and Cedric Coward and the rest of Memphis' core could continue developing fast, but Jerome enters the season as arguably their most proven shot creator in the backcourt. The obvious concern is availability. Jerome played only 15 games last season and has dealt with injuries throughout his career, so projecting his production across a full season requires a significant leap of faith.
Immanuel Quickley
Toronto Raptors
2025-26 Stats: 16.4 PPG · 4.0 RPG · 5.9 APG · 44.3% FG
Immanuel Quickley is one of those players whose numbers don't always fully capture how dangerous he can be offensively. Quickley averaged 16.4 points and 5.9 assists last season while shooting 44.3% from the field and 37.4% from three, but I don't think averaging 20 points per game is remotely outside of his capabilities. He has the handle, pull-up shooting and explosiveness to create offense in a hurry, and he's equally comfortable playing on or off the ball. Quickley can operate as a traditional point guard, initiate pick-and-rolls and create for teammates, but he can also slide to shooting guard and become more of an off-ball shooter. And this Toronto team needs as much perimeter shooting as it can get.
His relatively modest career scoring numbers also require some context. Quickley has spent much of his NBA career sharing the floor with high-usage scorers, first in New York and now alongside several capable creators in Toronto. He hasn't needed to dominate a possession to make an impact. But that's also what keeps him from climbing much higher on this list. Quickley is a good facilitator, but he isn't an elite offensive organizer, and Toronto doesn't necessarily rely on him as the unquestioned engine of its offense. Still, he's an explosive scorer, a reliable shooter and a solid playmaker who could be approaching his most important season.
Dejounte Murray
New Orleans Pelicans
2025-26 Stats: 16.7 PPG · 5.4 RPG · 6.4 APG · 48.4% FG
If we were ranking what these players look like at full strength, Dejounte Murray would probably be much higher. Murray is just one of those well-rounded guards that you pray stays healthy. He can create his own shot, facilitate an offense, rebound exceptionally well for his position and wreak havoc defensively with his length and instincts. He's a former All-Star, a former All-Defensive Team selection and has led the entire NBA in steals. The problem is that we've barely seen him lately. Murray played just 31 games during the 2024-25 season after suffering a fractured hand and later rupturing his right Achilles. He finally returned late last season but managed only 14 appearances, meaning he's played just 45 games over the last two years combined.
That's a massive amount of missed basketball.
The encouraging part is that Murray still looked productive when he came back. He averaged 16.7 points, 6.4 assists and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 48.4% from the field last season. There really isn't much Murray can't do when he's healthy. He can score, distribute, rebound and defend multiple perimeter positions, making him the kind of guard who can impact a game without needing to dominate any single category. At this point, though, availability has to matter. If he can spend last time rehabbing and more on the floor for an extended stretch, No. 21 could look extremely low very quickly.
CJ McCollum
Atlanta Hawks
2025-26 Stats: 18.7 PPG · 3.3 RPG · 3.9 APG · 45.5% FG
Father Time still hasn't figured out how to stop CJ McCollum from getting buckets.
Now 35 years old, McCollum remains one of the most reliable scorers of his generation. He averaged 18.7 points per game last season while shooting 45.5% from the field and 37.5% from three, continuing a remarkably consistent career that has seen him hover around the 20-point mark for more than a decade. And he can still absolutely let it fly. McCollum remains comfortable creating off the dribble, navigating ball screens, pulling up from midrange and punishing defenses from beyond the arc. He doesn't need much space to generate a quality shot, and his ability to create offense helped Atlanta clinch a playoff spot.
At this stage of his career, though, the question is what else he provides. McCollum is capable of facilitating and has proven throughout his career that he can handle point guard responsibilities, but he isn't a true pass-first floor general. Defensively, he has never been particularly impactful either, meaning much of his value still comes from his ability to put the ball in the basket. Fortunately, he's still very good at that. McCollum has scored 16,838 regular-season points in his career and continues his march toward the 20,000-point club. Even reaching this stage of his career as a productive starting guard is impressive, and averaging nearly 19 points per game at 35 years old is even more so.
Derrick White
Boston Celtics
2025-26 Stats: 16.5 PPG · 4.4 RPG · 5.4 APG · 39.4% FG
I already know Celtics fans aren't going to like this one. Derrick White remains one of the best defensive guards in basketball and was instrumental in keeping Boston competitive during a season in which Jayson Tatum appeared in only 16 games. White averaged a career-high 16.5 points and 5.4 assists, played 77 games and earned the first All-Defensive First Team selection of his career. Defensively, there is almost nothing to criticize. White is an absurdly intelligent help defender, one of the best shot-blocking guards the league has ever seen and someone Joe Mazzulla can trust against virtually any perimeter matchup. He averaged 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals last season and became the first Celtic since Kevin Garnett to record at least 75 blocks and 75 steals in the same season.
But if we're specifically ranking point guards, I have some concerns. White has never really been a traditional lead guard, and last season's increased offensive responsibility wasn't always pretty. He shot just 39.4% from the field during the regular season before falling all the way to 32.1% in the playoffs. That's not three-point percentage—that's overall field-goal percentage. White can facilitate, make quick decisions and keep an offense moving, but I still think he's at his best as a defensive two-guard rather than the player responsible for consistently initiating everything. His defense makes him an immensely valuable basketball player, but asking him to carry a larger offensive burden exposed his limitations last season. Heading into this season, I'd rather see him utilized as an elite two-way combo guard than forced into becoming something he isn't.
Josh Giddey
Chicago Bulls
2025-26 Stats: 17.0 PPG · 8.3 RPG · 9.1 APG · 44.8% FG
There aren't many point guards in basketball who can impact a box score as comprehensively as Josh Giddey. Standing a legitimate 6'8", Giddey possesses the size of a forward and the attributes of a primary floor general. That combination allows him to see passing windows that aren't available to smaller guards, rebound as well as a frontcourt player and immediately turn defensive possessions into transition opportunities. Last season was arguably his best yet. Giddey averaged 17.0 points, 9.1 assists and 8.3 rebounds, flirting with a triple-double almost every night. Even more impressively, he finished with 494 total assists—10th-most in the entire NBA—despite appearing in only 54 games.
Giddey sees plays developing before they happen, manipulates defenders with his eyes and consistently finds cutters and shooters from angles most players can't access. He's also one of the best rebounding guards in basketball, which frequently allows him to bypass the outlet pass and initiate the offense himself. The jump shot was once the glaring weakness in his game, but even that continues to improve. Giddey shot a respectable 36.4% from three last season, making it increasingly difficult for defenses to sag. He's just still not an explosive isolation scorer or an elite defender, which keeps him outside the upper tier of this ranking.
Darius Garland
Los Angeles Clippers
2025-26 Stats: 18.8 PPG · 2.4 RPG · 6.7 APG · 46.0% FG
Darius Garland finally has a backcourt to call his own again. After spending the last few years sharing creation duties in Cleveland, the two-time All-Star now takes over as the lead guard for a Clippers franchise his father once suited up for. And when Garland is healthy, there aren't many point guards more difficult to contain with the ball in their hands. Garland is one of the league's craftiest pick-and-roll operators. His change of pace keeps defenders guessing, his handle allows him to get virtually anywhere on the floor, and his pull-up range forces defenses to pick him up well beyond the three-point line. Last season, he averaged 18.8 points and 6.7 assists while shooting 46.0% from the field and an excellent 39.6% from three.
He can score at all three levels, but Garland's playmaking might still be his greatest weapon. He has an excellent feel for manipulating help defenders, finding rollers and delivering passes into tight windows once the defense commits to stopping him.
The biggest concern remains availability. Garland appeared in only 45 games last season and has dealt with several injuries throughout his career. At 6'1", he also isn't going to provide the Jalen Suggs defensive chip that you'd want out of your lead guard. But offensively, there's almost nothing missing. Garland can shoot, create, facilitate and completely control a pick-and-roll possession. Now he's entering his prime with the Clippers placing the offense in his hands. Watch out.
Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks
2025-26 Stats: 17.9 PPG · 2.0 RPG · 8.0 APG · 45.8% FG
Last season was essentially a wash for Trae Young. Now he has an opportunity to remind everyone just how devastating he can be. After two years of uncertainty surrounding his future in Atlanta, Young was finally dealt to Washington midway through last season. Unfortunately, injuries prevented us from seeing much of his new chapter. He appeared in only 15 games all year and just five with the Wizards before quadriceps and back issues ultimately shut him down. But when healthy, we're still talking about one of the most gifted offensive point guards of his generation.
Young possesses virtually limitless shooting range, one of the most dangerous floaters in basketball and elite court vision. His ability to manipulate pick-and-roll defenses is special. He can draw two defenders 30 feet from the basket, split a trap, hit a rolling big in stride or fire a pass to the opposite corner before the defense even realizes the shooter is open.
And Washington might be the perfect place for him to reestablish himself. The Wizards have assembled one of the league's most exciting young teams, and Young gives them exactly what developing teams desperately need: an established lead guard capable of organizing everything. And Young is still only 28 years old, and Washington clearly believes he's part of its future after committing to him long term. If he returns anywhere close to peak form, pairing his elite playmaking with the Anthony Davis, AJ Dybantsa and the Wizards' emerging talent could produce one of the biggest bounce-back seasons in basketball. No. 15 might look low by April.
De'Aaron Fox
San Antonio Spurs
2025-26 Stats: 18.6 PPG · 3.8 RPG · 6.2 APG · 48.6% FG
Few players in basketball can change the geometry of a defense with speed the way De’Aaron Fox can. The two-time All-Star is of the fastest guards in the NBA with the ball in his hands, capable of turning a defensive rebound into a layup before the opposition has even had time to organize. Once Fox gets downhill, defenders are constantly forced to retreat, opening up driving lanes, pull-up opportunities and passing windows for everyone around him. And speed is only part of the equation.
Fox is an elite ball-handler with one of the nastiest change-of-direction skills at the position. He can get defenders leaning one way before reversing, stopping on a dime for a midrange jumper or attacking the rim.
Last season, Fox averaged 18.6 points and 6.2 assists while shooting 48.6% from the field, earning his second career All-Star selection and helping the Spurs capture the Western Conference championship. His scoring numbers weren't as gaudy as what we're used to, but they didn't need to be. San Antonio has Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and an increasingly deep collection of shot-creators, meaning Fox gets to pick his spots rather than carry the offense every possession. There were some ugly stretches during the postseason, particularly during the Finals, but his ability to break down a defense remains undeniable. And on a Spurs roster loaded with point guards, he doesn't have to dominate the ball to make an enormous impact.
Damian Lillard
Portland Trail Blazers
2025-26 Stats: N/A
Apparently Damian Lillard doesn't even need to play NBA games to remind everyone that he's one of the greatest shooters alive. Lillard missed the entire 2025-26 season while recovering from a torn Achilles, yet somehow showed up at All-Star Weekend and won the Three-Point Contest anyway. It was his third career victory in the event, tying Larry Bird and Craig Hodges for the most ever. Now Dame Time is finally returning to Portland. Lillard enters this season at 36 years old and coming off the most significant injury of his career, so there's obviously some uncertainty surrounding what version of him we're going to get. But the last time he was healthy, he averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists while shooting 37.6% from three for Milwaukee. That's why I'm not ready to count him out.
Lillard is an NBA 75th Anniversary Team member, a nine-time All-Star and one of the defining offensive guards of his generation. His limitless shooting range completely alters defensive coverages, his pull-up jumper remains lethal and his ability to operate out of the pick-and-roll has made him one of basketball's premier scorers for more than a decade. And now Portland gets to pair him with Ja Morant. That backcourt will certainly raise questions defensively, but offensively it could be electric. Both guards can break down defenses, create for others and collapse an entire coverage off the dribble. Lillard's shooting also gives him the ability to operate without the ball more frequently while Ja attacks the paint. He's 36, he's returning from a torn Achilles and he hasn't played an NBA game in more than a year. But Damian Lillard has spent his entire career beating expectations. I'm willing to bet he's got at least one more chapter left.
Keyonte George
Utah Jazz
2025-26 Stats: 23.6 PPG · 3.7 RPG · 6.1 APG · 45.6% FG
Keyonte George went from a promising young rookie to a star in seemingly the blink of an eye. The 22-year-old took another massive step forward last season, averaging career highs of 23.6 points and 6.1 assists while shooting 45.6% from the field and 37.1% from three. On a Utah team that spent another season near the bottom of the Western Conference, George emerged as one of the brightest reasons to believe the rebuild is finally beginning to take shape. His offensive arsenal is already remarkable: George can punish defenders with his pull-up jumper, create separation in the midrange and comfortably extend his range beyond the three-point line. He's also developed into a solid playmaker rather than simply hunting his own shot.
There are still areas to clean up. George averaged more than three turnovers per game last season, his defense remains a work in progress and he played only 54 games. Utah also won just 22 games, meaning the next step is proving that his production can translate into meaningful team success. But the trajectory is impossible to ignore. George has increased both his scoring and assist averages in each of his first three NBA seasons, and Utah rewarded that progression with a massive five-year extension this offseason. Now he'll share the floor with a solid squad including the likes of Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson as the Jazz attempt to take a legitimate step forward.
LaMelo Ball
Minnesota Timberwolves
2025-26 Stats: 20.1 PPG · 4.8 RPG · 7.1 APG · 40.7% FG
After six seasons in Charlotte, Ball was dealt to Minnesota this summer and now gets to share a backcourt with Anthony Edwards on a Timberwolves team that's been a fixture in the Western Conference playoffs. From a pure entertainment standpoint alone, LaMelo and Ant should be must-see television. But the basketball fit might be even better. Ball is one of the most naturally gifted passers in the league. At 6'7", he can see over defenses, fire passes through windows smaller guards can't access and create transition opportunities almost instantly after receiving the ball. His basketball IQ is also underrated; behind all the flashy passes is a player who processes defensive rotations extremely quickly.
Then there's the shooting. Ball possesses legitimate deep range and has never been afraid to launch from several feet beyond the arc, forcing defenders to pick him up form way beyond the basket. His combination of shooting and elite passing should make life easier for Edwards who put up a career high 28.8 points last season. Last season was also an encouraging sign from an availability standpoint. Ball played 72 games, averaging 20.1 points and 7.1 assists while shooting 36.8% from three—easily one of the healthiest seasons of his career. His shot selection can still be reckless, his efficiency has never been elite, but when LaMelo Ball is on the floor, he'll show you where the hype came from. Now he gets to prove it on a contender.
Kyrie Irving
Dallas Mavericks
2025-26 Stats: N/A
Kyrie Irving hasn't played an NBA game in more than a year, is coming off a torn ACL and just turned 34 years old. And somehow, I still can't bring myself to leave him outside the top 12. Before suffering the injury in March 2025, Uncle Drew was still playing at an All-Star level, averaging 24.7 points while shooting 47.3% from the field, 40.1% from three and better than 91% from the free-throw line. Even this late into his career, few guards possess a more complete scoring arsenal. The handle remains legendary. Irving can break down virtually any defender one-on-one, finish around the basket with either hand, pull up from midrange and punish defenses from beyond the arc. There are very few spots on the floor where he doesn't feel comfortable creating a shot.
And Dallas badly needs exactly that. The Mavericks struggled tremendously in the half court without him last season, finishing near the bottom of the league offensively. Cooper Flagg has quickly emerged into a star, but asking a 19-year-old-kid to do everything himself isn't sustainable. Irving's return gives Dallas an elite shot creator who can take pressure off Flagg and manufacture buckets. Of course, Irving has been sidelined for roughly 19 months. He's returning from the most significant injury of his career and nobody knows the player we'll see this season. But If his body cooperates, I'm confident he'll find a way to put points on the board.
James Harden
Cleveland Cavaliers
2025-26 Stats: 23.6 PPG · 4.8 RPG · 8.0 APG · 43.4% FG
James Harden is 37 years old. But somehow? His age is irrelevant. The former MVP continues to reinvent himself deep into his career, and while the days of The Beard averaging 35 points per game and isolating defenders into oblivion are behind us, he's evolved into one of the most cerebral point guards in basketball. Last season, Harden averaged 23.6 points and 8.0 assists per game, earned the 11th All-Star selection of his career and helped Cleveland reach the Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavaliers clearly believe there's plenty left in the tank, bringing him back this offseason on a three-year deal. And at this stage, Harden's passing might be every bit as dangerous as his scoring. He's a generational table-setter. Few guards understand how to manipulate pick-and-roll coverage better, and Harden remains exceptional at forcing a defense to commit before delivering the ball exactly where it needs to go.
Basically, if you're open, Harden is going to feed the family. And his transition from shooting guard to full-time floor general will allow him to coexist with Donovan Mitchell. There are still questions surrounding the postseason. Cleveland has repeatedly entered the playoffs with championship expectations only to fall short, and Harden's own playoff resumé will always attract scrutiny when things go wrong. Last season ended with the Cavaliers being swept by New York in the Eastern Conference Finals. But Harden always finds a way to impact the game. At 37 years old, he shouldn't still be doing this.
Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns
2025-26 Stats: 26.1 PPG · 3.9 RPG · 6.0 APG · 45.6% FG
At this point, calling Devin Booker a shooting guard is outdated. Booker will always be a scorer first, but he's become increasingly comfortable handling traditional point guard responsibilities, and Phoenix may lean even further into that role this season. With Jalen Green healthy and occupying another scoring spot in the backcourt, Booker has the size, experience and playmaking ability to spend more possessions as the point. And honestly, I don't hate it. At 6'6", Booker immediately creates matchup problems at the position. Smaller guards struggle to bother his release, he can punish switches in the midrange and he's strong enough to get to his preferred spots without needing overwhelming athleticism. The scoring has never been the question. Booker averaged 26.1 points per game last season while adding 6.0 assists, earning the fifth All-Star selection of his career.
Few guards are more skilled from the midrange, and when Booker gets into rhythm, he's capable of taking over an entire quarter without forcing the issue. But his development as a passer deserves more attention. Booker isn't going to be mistaken for a pass-first floor general, yet he's become very comfortable manipulating pick-and-roll coverages, making the extra pass and punishing defenses when they send additional help toward him. There's also something to be said about his commitment to the franchise. Booker has endured almost every version of the Suns imaginable, from the bottom of the Western Conference to an NBA Finals appearance, to numerous coaches and now another rebuild. Through all of it, he's remained the guy. Phoenix is simply more fun when Devin Booker is out on the floor, getting to his spots.
Tyrese Haliburton
Indiana Pacers
2025-26 Stats: N/A
It feels almost surreal that we haven't seen Tyrese Haliburton play an NBA game since Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Haliburton was on the doorstep of basketball immortality that night. Indiana had gone from an overlooked Eastern Conference contender to one victory away from an NBA championship, with its 25-year-old point guard orchestrating one of the most memorable playoff runs in franchise history. Then everything changed. Haliburton ruptured his right Achilles during the first quarter of Game 7 and ultimately missed the entire 2025-26 season while recovering. More than a year later, he's finally ready to return, and ranking him eighth requires some faith.
But Haliburton isn't a veteran in his mid-30s trying to squeeze one final productive season out of his body. He's only 26 years old, still right in the middle of what should be his athletic prime.
Before the injury, Haliburton was the league's premier floor general. He led the NBA in assists in 2023-24, then averaged 18.6 points and 9.2 assists during the 2024-25 regular season while committing just 1.6 turnovers per game. His greatest gift is his ability to make an entire offense function. Haliburton sees passing windows before they fully open, pushes the pace relentlessly and can manipulate defenses without pounding the ball for 15 seconds. His deep shooting range forces defenders to respect him well beyond the arc, and his willingness to advance the basketball quickly makes Indiana's transition attack incredibly difficult to contain. The Pacers don't need him to immediately become a superstar. They just need his effort, and I'm betting there's a lot left in the tank.
Jamal Murray
Denver Nuggets
2025-26 Stats: 25.4 PPG · 4.4 RPG · 7.1 APG · 48.3% FG
It's ridiculous that Jamal Murray can do what he did last year and still land only seventh on this list. Murray finally received the recognition basketball fans had been demanding for years, earning the first All-Star selection of his career before being named to the All-NBA Third Team. And statistically, the production was spectacular.
He averaged career highs of 25.4 points and 7.1 assists while shooting 48.3% from the field and an absurd 43.5% from three. But even those numbers don't completely explain how difficult Murray is to defend. Few guards are more dangerous shooting off the dribble. Murray can walk a defender into a screen, stop instantly behind the arc and bury a pull-up before the defense has time to react. He made 148 pull-up three-pointers last season while converting them at a ridiculous 42.3% clip, giving Denver one of the most lethal self-created perimeter weapons in basketball.
And he's far more than a scorer. Murray is an elite pick-and-roll operator who's developed extraordinary chemistry with Jokić. He can manipulate the defense until the passing lane opens, find cutters and shooters or simply take the matchup himself when Denver needs a bucket. Then there's the clutch gene. We've watched Murray repeatedly turn into a different player when games tighten up, and his ability to create difficult shots late in possessions is crucial. His postseason ended on a sour note last year, as Minnesota held him to just 35.7% shooting and 26.2% from three during Denver's first-round loss. But throughout the regular season, he was an All-NBA guard and one of the most dangerous shot creators in basketball. And somehow, there are still six point guards ahead of him.
Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors
2025-26 Stats: 26.6 PPG · 3.6 RPG · 4.7 APG · 46.8% FG
Basketball fans, please don't kill me. Stephen Curry at No. 6 feels disrespectful. We're talking about arguably the greatest point guard ever, the greatest shooter the sport has ever seen and a player who, when healthy, can still make a legitimate argument for belonging among the very best guards alive. But he's also 38 years old. Last season provided the first real reminder that Father Time eventually comes for everybody. Curry was limited to just 43 games as a troublesome right knee kept him sidelined for more than two months. Golden State badly felt his loss, eventually stumbling to 37 wins and missing the playoffs. And yet when Curry actually played, he was still Steph.
He averaged 26.6 points per game while shooting 46.8% from the field, 39.3% from three and 92.3% from the free-throw line. Give him even the slightest window of space and you're still asking for trouble. Defenders have to pick him up the moment he crosses halfcourt, and his off-ball movement is unlike anything else in basketball. But there are limitations at this stage. Curry isn't an elite defender, his durability has become a legitimate concern and asking a 38-year-old guard to carry an offense for 82 games simply isn't realistic anymore. But the terrifying part is that none of that makes Golden State irrelevant. As long as No. 30 is healthy, the Warriors have a chance.
Golden State's championship window may be narrowing, but Curry himself has made it clear that he still believes there is another run left. And considering everything we've watched him do, betting against Chef Curry still feels like the wrong move.
Tyrese Maxey
Philadelphia 76ers
2025-26 Stats: 28.3 PPG · 4.1 RPG · 6.6 APG · 46.2% FG
Tyrese Maxey developed into a fortified superstar last season. He averaged a career-high 28.3 points and 6.6 assists per game while earning the first All-NBA selection of his career. He also led the entire NBA in minutes per game, spending 38.0 minutes on the floor every night because Philadelphia couldn't afford to bench him. For long stretches of the season, Maxey was the Sixers' offense. Joel Embiid and Paul George both missed significant time, forcing Maxey to handle an enormous scoring and playmaking burden. And rather than hiding from that responsibility, he took another leap. His speed remains his key weapon. Maxey can explode around a screen, beat defenders down the floor and turn even the smallest opening into a trip to the rim. But what has elevated him into top five tier is how much more complete his offensive game has become.
The pull-up jumper is ridiculous. The three-point shot forces defenders to chase him well beyond the arc. His finishing continues to improve. And most importantly, his playmaking keeps getting better. Maxey averaged another career high in assists last season while maintaining his aggressive scoring mentality, becoming increasingly comfortable doing both. Now the circumstances around him are completely different.
Philadelphia enters this season with legitimate championship expectations and considerably more offensive talent surrounding Maxey. That may mean fewer nights where he's asked to carry everything himself, but it could also make him even more dangerous. Instead of fighting through constant double teams and overloaded defensive coverages, he'll have more opportunities to attack defenses that can't dedicate all their attention to stopping him.
Luka Doncic
Los Angeles Lakers
2025-26 Stats: 33.5 PPG · 7.7 RPG · 8.3 APG · 47.6% FG
How does someone average nearly 34 points, eight assists and eight rebounds per game and somehow land fourth on a ranking of point guards? That's how absurd these rankings have become. Luka Doncic was breathtaking last season. He averaged 33.7 points, 8.3 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game, earned another All-NBA First Team selection and almost single-handedly ensured Los Angeles would remain near the top of the Western Conference playoff picture. He has one of the best combinations of size, strength, handle and basketball IQ we've ever seen from a lead guard. He can bully smaller defenders, manipulate switches, score from all three levels and dissect virtually any defensive coverage with his passing.
The problem is that being available matters too. Doncic suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain late in the regular season and never returned, missing the Lakers' entire playoff run. Los Angeles survived Houston in the first round without him before being swept by Oklahoma City in the conference semifinals. An MVP-caliber regular season means considerably less when your franchise player isn't available when the games matter most, and durability has become one of the few legitimate criticisms left to make about Luka. The encouraging part is what we've seen since. Doncic enters this season fully recovered, and reports out of training camp have described him as noticeably leaner and in some of the best physical condition we've seen from him in years. With LeBron James now gone, there is also no ambiguity surrounding whose team this is anymore.
Cade Cunningham
Detroit Pistons
2025-26 Stats: 23.9 PPG · 5.5 RPG · 9.9 APG · 46.1% FG
There's no longer any debate over whether Cade Cunningham can be the face of a franchise. After helping drag Detroit out of the basement the year before, Cunningham took another enormous leap last season and transformed the Pistons into one of the best teams in basketball. Detroit finished 60-22 and claimed the top seed in the Eastern Conference, while Cunningham averaged 23.9 points, 9.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game. And the league responded by naming him to the All-NBA First Team. At 6'6" and 220 pounds, Cade might be one of the most physically difficult point guards in basketball to deal with. Smaller defenders struggle with his strength and size, while bigger defenders often can't keep up with his speed. He thrives in the midrange, absorbs contact around the basket and creates looks that didn't exist.
But the biggest evolution has come as a passer. Cunningham's vision reached another level last season. He averaged 10 assists per game, manipulated help defenders, read double teams and created easy looks for teammates. His size allows him to see over defenses, but it's his composure that makes him special. The three-point shot remains inconsistent, and reducing turnovers would make him an even more complete offensive engine. But those feel like refinements. Cade Cunningham is already an All-NBA First Team guard who just led a 60-win team while averaging nearly a double-double, and he's only 25 years old.
Jalen Brunson
New York Knicks
2025-26 Stats: 26.0 PPG · 3.3 RPG · 6.8 APG · 46.7% FG
Right now, Jalen Brunson is the villain of the Eastern Conference, and he has the hardware to prove it. There was already little doubt that Brunson had established himself as one of basketball's premier point guards, but last postseason elevated him into an entirely different category. The Knicks tore through the Eastern Conference, won 13 consecutive playoff games and ultimately captured their first NBA title in more than half a century. It all started with No. 11. Brunson isn't freakishly athletic or tall. Instead, he dismantles defenses with footwork, craftiness and one of the deepest scoring arsenals at the position. He can punish a defender from all three levels. He'll back smaller guards into the paint, stop on a dime in the midrange, step behind the arc or manipulate a ball screen until the defense gives him exactly the matchup he wants.
Brunson averaged 26.0 points and 6.8 assists during the regular season, but his ability to control an offense goes far beyond the box score. He then averaged 32.6 points per game in the NBA Finals before erupting for 45 in the championship-clinching Game 5 against San Antonio. He walked away with the Bill Russell Finals MVP trophy and cemented himself as the face of the reigning NBA champions. Big things really do come in small packages. Brunson might stand only 6'1", but there may not be a guard in basketball I'd trust more with the ball when an entire season hangs in the balance.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Oklahoma City Thunder
2025-26 Stats: 31.1 PPG · 4.3 RPG · 6.6 APG · 55.3% FG
At this point, who else could it be? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander enters another season sitting atop the point guard mountain after capturing his second consecutive MVP award and producing one of the most efficient high-volume scoring seasons we've ever seen from a guard. He averaged 31.1 points, 6.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds while shooting an outrageous 55.3% from the field, becoming the first guard in NBA history to average at least 30 points while connecting on 55% of his shots. And somehow, this has become normal for him. Last season marked the fourth consecutive year where Shai averaged at least 30 points per game.
Gilgeous-Alexander also posted a career-high 6.6 assists last season while continuing to improve as a passer, and Oklahoma City needed every bit of that. Jalen Williams appeared in only 33 games, forcing Shai to shoulder even more responsibility throughout the year. The result? A league-best 64 wins. The season ultimately ended in heartbreak, with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs eliminating Oklahoma City in a seven-game Western Conference Finals battle. But one playoff loss doesn't erase what we're watching. Gilgeous-Alexander is now a back-to-back MVP, an NBA champion, a Finals MVP and a four-time consecutive All-NBA First Team selection. He's already entering territory reserved for some of the greatest guards this sport has ever produced. And somehow, he's still only 28.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
This is by far the hardest position to rank right now, especially considering how the position has been brutally hampered by injuries. And expect the unexpected. A breakout season, a playoff run, an injury, or one massive leap can leave this list in its dust. But as of now, this is where we stand.
So now it’s your turn: who did we rank too high, who got disrespected, and most importantly—who should be No. 1?
NBA Preseason is in FULL session 🚨 Can't keep up with the hype? Be sure to stay tuned into Sportz Nation for your sports updates on all things basketball.
Thanks for reading!
-Joel Piton
(@jp7ton)
Comments