Since there was a lot of positive feedback in regards to ranking Ben Simmons as a point guard, it seems only appropriate that rank each of the Philadelphia 76ers‘ starters. As ranking them in order, Seth Curry is the next guy up.
It’s crazy to consider that Curry was just a journeyman just a few seasons ago. Despite being the son of Dell Curry and the brother of future Hall of Famer Stephen Curry, the youngest Curry had to work his way into the league. He started out in the G-League before getting into the league and didn’t get into a regular rotation until the past four years.
Curry ranks in terms of stats
“…he’s eighth in the whole NBA. ”
Now he’s a starter for a contender and is one of the best shooters in the NBA. This season Curry is averaging 12.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 0.9 steals. He’s also shooting 46.9 percent from the floor, 44.8 percent from the 3-point line, and 92.3 percent from the free throw line.
In terms of 3-point percentage, he’s eighth in the whole NBA. Luke Kennard and Paul George are the only two shooting guards ahead of Curry in 3-point percentage with George being the only other starting shooting guard leading the Sixers starter. Curry is 17th in scoring and 18th in assists among the starting shooting guards in this list as well.
Before getting into these rankings, it should be noted that there are two players who were on the point guard rankings who will be in these rankings as well due to position or lineup changes.
30. Gary Harris
Once heralded as one of the better 3-and-D players in the NBA, Gary Harris has fallen far from that title. He’s still pretty good on the defensive end, but he’s become a negative on offense due to his poor 3-point shooting the last couple of seasons.
29. Josh Richardson
Speaking of once heralded great 3-and-D players, add former Philadelphia 76ers’ shooting guard Josh Richardson to that group. Ever since being traded from the Miami Heat two offseasons ago, Richardson had declined on the offensive end and it’s hurting the Dallas Mavericks this year with his poor shooting.
28. Reggie Bullock
If Reggie Bullock was on a contending team, he’d probably be coming off the bench. That being said, he has been a solid floor spacer for the New York Knicks this season. He doesn’t provide much in terms of defense, but he’s a solid guy to have in any rotation.
27. Kevin Huerter
Besides being a pretty good 3-point shooter for the Atlanta Hawks, Huerter is a decent secondary playmaker for the Atlanta Hawks. What he lacks is the ability to defend at an average level. If he were able to, then he’d be higher on this list.
26. Wayne Ellington
Like Bullock, Wayne Ellington is a rotational player on a contender and a starter for a bad team. He’s a slightly below average defender who should be wanted by most teams on the trade market because of his 3-point shooting. As Christopher Kline of The Sixer Sense wrote, he should be a target for the 76ers.
25. Derrick White
On most teams, Derrik White would be a point guard, but for the San Antonio Spurs he’s there’s starting shooting guard. Unlike most shooting guards on the bottom of these rankings, he’s one of the better playmakers, with the exception of the off guards ranked at the 23rd and arguably the 20th spots. If he could space the floor better, he’d be higher in these rankings.
24. Grayson Allen
Unfair or not, Grayson Allen is one of the most hated players in the NBA. He may not be a good defender, but he is a gritty one. He’s also an above shooter on top of that. However, he’s still far from reaching his potential on a young Memphis Grizzlies team that has a bright future.
23. Eric Bledsoe
The New Orleans Pelicans were probably one of the few teams that would be considered a bad landing spot for Eric Bledsoe. He has to play out of position next to Lonzo Ball which is hurting both of their games. Bledsoe is getting to the point in his career where he would be better served as an elite backup point guard versus a starter.
22. Justin Holiday
Like most shooting guards on this list up to this point, Justin Holiday would be a reserve on a contender and he would be a reserve for the Indiana Pacers if Caris LeVert wasn’t out because of illness. That being said, Holiday is a solid D-and-3 player that much teams would be ok with starting if they had to.
21. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
The Los Angeles Lakers have had stability at the shooting guard position for the last couple of seasons because of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. He was a key reason the Lakers won a title last year. He also developed into a good 3-and-D player as well and should be a solid guy to have on a team for many more seasons moving forward.
20. Buddy Hield
There was a time when Philadelphia 76ers fans believed trading for Buddy Hield was the club’s only salvation from Al Horford’s terrible contract (I was also in that crowd). However, Hield has regressed from his elite shooting a year ago and is just an above-average sharpshooter this season.
19. Duncan Robinson
Speaking of sharpshooters who are struggling this year, add Duncan Robinson to that list. Now that he’s not new to the scene, Robinson has struggled with how defenses have adjusted to him. That being said, he’s still a positive starter for the Miami Heat this season.
“Despite Seth Curry being one of the most efficient shooters in the NBA…”
18. Donte DiVincenzo
Donte DiVincenzo has become one of the better defensive shooting guards in the NBA and has played well as the starting two-guard for the Milwaukee Bucks. On top of the stellar defense, DiVincenzo has become a reliable 3-point shooter.
17. Andrew Wiggins
It’s clear that Andrew Wiggins will never be live up to potential as a number one pick. That being said, he’s found a nice little role with the Golden State Warriors. He’s a good secondary scorer and ok third playmaking option. On top of that, he’s improved as a defender.
16. Seth Curry
Despite Seth Curry being one of the most efficient shooters in the NBA, he’s still hovering around the middle of the pack starting shooting guard. However, if he became a higher volume shooter, he has a chance to break into the top-10 of this list. Still, it’s undeniable the positive impact he’s currently having on the 76ers.
15. Gary Trent Jr.
If CJ McCullum were healthy, the Portland Trail Blazers’ starting shooting guard would be much higher on this list. That being said, Gary Trent Jr. is having a breakout season and proving he’s a starter in this league. He’s an up-and-coming two-way player in the league and teams should be on notice moving forward.
14. Evan Fournier
Not only should Evan Fournier be on the Philadelphia 76ers trade radar, but he’s also an underrated shooting guard in this league. He can score on all three levels and has some playmaking skills, which pretty much makes him the second best (among healthy players) on the Orlando Magic. Sadly, he’s not a great defender, which is why he’s in the middle of the pack and not around the top-10.
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13. Malik Beasley
It wasn’t until the Denver Nuggets trade Malik Beasley was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves last year that he had a chance to start consistently. As a starter, he’s had a breakout as a scorer. He can also score on all three levels at high efficiency. He’s arguably been the second best player on a lowly Minnesota Timberwolves team.
12. Victor Oladipo
It’s clear that lingering injuries have been bothering Victory Oladipo this season. It doesn’t help him that he was traded mid-season to the Houston Rockets where his efficiency has dropped off in a major way. When healthy he’s an elite two-way guard, but right he’s inefficiency on offense is keeping him outside of the top-10. Despite his struggles, he should be a target for the Sixers heading into the trade deadline.
11. Terry Rozier
Despite playing out of position at shooting guard, Terry Rozier has been having a breakout season with the Charlotte Hornets. It’s probably helped him now that pass first point guard in LaMelo Ball is now in the starting lineup in place of Devonte’ Graham. That Kemba Walker trade with the Boston Celtics has actually helped out the Hornets in the long-haul with the emergence of Rozier this season.
10. Collin Sexton
Despite being an undersized shooting guard, Collin Sexton is one of the most lethal scorers at the shooting guard position. The Cleveland Cavaliers have their backcourt of the future with Sexton and Darius Garland. If Sexton can improve as a playmaker and defender, then he could become an All-Star in the future.
9. Fred VanVleet
Like Rozier, Bledsoe, and White on this list, Fred VanVleet plays out of position for his team, the Toronto Raptors. Despite being short for his position he’s playing the best basketball of his career and is a legit two-way star at the position.
8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) starting the season out as the Oklahoma City Thunder’s point guard, but they inserted Theo Maledon into the starting lineup and shifted SGA as the shooting guard. SGA is much more lethal as a playmaking shooting guard versus a true starting point guard considered he was ranked 15th as starting point guard.
7. Zach LaVine
The Chicago Bulls have their first All-Star since Jimmy Butler in Zach LaVine. Despite his defensive inefficiencies, LaVine is one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA this season. If he could become just averages on the defensive end, he’d have a chance to be a superstar in this league.
6. Jaylen Brown
The Boston Celtics’ shooting guard has also earned his first All-Star berth this season. Jaylen Brown is arguably the best two-way shooting guard in the NBA. He needs to improve his playmaking, but outside of that, there’s little he can’t do.
5. Paul George
There are been different points in his career he’s played at shooting guard, small forward, and even power forward. However, he’s a shooting guard this season and is playing like a top-five player in his position. The only thing he has left to prove is can he perform at an elite level in the playoffs. If he does this postseason, he’s probably going to be higher on this list.
4. Donovan Mitchell
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If it wasn’t for the fact that Mitchell is the best player on the best team in the NBA, he’d probably be a spot or two down. He’s a guy who can carry the offense of a whole team, which can’t be said about very many players on this list. To be honest, there will be a point in his career, Mitchell will need to switch to the point guard position to take the next step in his career.
3. Devin Booker
Devin Booker is my favorite shooting guard in the NBA. He has aspects of the late great Kobe Bryant to his game. He’s a clutch player for the Phoenix Suns and can do everything on offense. If he takes the next step on the defensive of the ball, he’d be the best shooting guard in the league.
2. Kyrie Irving
It was a long time coming, but Kyrie Irving is finally a shooting guard for the Brooklyn Nets. Like SGA on this list, earlier this season Irving was a point guard until shooting guard James Harden was acquired by Brooklyn. However, the two stars agreed that they would switch positions, per Malika Andrews of ESPN and it has made Irving the second most lethal scorer at the shooting guard position this season. It should be noted that Irving was fifth on the point guard rankings.
1. Bradley Beal
The most lethal scorer at the position and in the NBA is Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards. This guy can get buckets and it’s a shame that the Wizards are wasting his prime. Hopefully, he will eventually ask for a trade, and the Sixers.
While in the grand scheme of things, the Philadelphia 76ers only have a league average starting shooting. Curry in himself is still one of the best pure shooters at the off guard position which is ideal for the structure of the roster.