Kyrie Irving, a dynamic playmaker known for his unparalleled ball-handling skills, remains a vital cog in the NBA landscape as he is ranked 10th among guards and 25th overall in the top 100 NBA players for the upcoming season. According to Jasmyn Wimbish, "Irving still has the best handle in the league, can easily get to the rim, and score from all three levels." His remarkable scoring and playmaking abilities were key in propelling the Mavericks to the NBA Finals, marking one of his best seasons to date without causing disruptions within the team.
Another emerging star, Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers, finds himself at 9th among guards and 24th overall. Maxey has been on an upward trajectory, stepping up significantly following James Harden's departure. Jack Maloney captures this transformation succinctly: "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 prestigious ranking of 8th among guards and 19th overall is a testament to his phenomenal growth. Mitchell, the lone playmaker for the Cleveland Cavaliers, reached career highs in assists, rebounds, and steals last season. Brad Botkin emphasizes Mitchell's impact, noting that he "is virtually unstoppable when he gets going downhill as a pull-up shooter."
Rising Stars and Seasoned Veterans
Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers is ranked 7th among guards and 17th overall, reflecting his significant impact on the court despite dealing with an injury midway through the season. Sam Quinn provides insight into Haliburton's contributions: "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, holding the 6th spot among guards and 16th overall, is another young guard making waves despite experiencing some setbacks. Injuries and suspensions have confined him to just 70 games over the last two seasons. Nevertheless, Jack Maloney remarks, "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."
Veteran guard Devin Booker continues to be a force for the Phoenix Suns, ranked 5th among guards and 14th overall. Booker took on the role of point guard last season, leading to a career-high in assists. Jasmyn Wimbish underscores Booker's underrated status: "He's liable to drop 40+ points on you... it resulted in a career-high year in assists for Booker."
Top-Tier Playmakers
Jalen Brunson's impressive playoff performances have earned him the 4th spot among guards and 13th overall. His scoring prowess was on full display as he became one of the few players in NBA history to score 40 points or more in four consecutive playoff games. 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, the legendary sharpshooter for the Golden State Warriors, continues to be a pivotal figure in the NBA. Now ranked 3rd among guards and 6th overall, the 36-year-old Curry's inimitable movement and pure shooting talent remain unmatched. Brad Botkin captures Curry's essence, stating, "Curry is still an offense unto himself with his inimitable movement and pure shot-making talent."
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder has risen to prominence, ranking 2nd among guards and 4th overall. Last season, he led the NBA in drives for the fourth straight year and showcased remarkable scoring efficiency. As highlighted by James Herbert: "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."
The Pinnacle of Guard Play
Luka Doncic, a 25-year-old phenom, tops the list of guards and ranks 3rd overall in the top 100 NBA players. Doncic is coming off the best statistical year of his career, leading the league in scoring. Jasmyn Wimbish aptly describes his unique playing style and dominance: "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."
These players represent the pinnacle of guard play in the NBA, each contributing uniquely to their teams and the sport. Their rankings and accolades underscore their influence and the exciting dynamics they bring to the game season after season.