Summer League is over and the NBA is entering the dead part of the offseason before training camps begin. With that in mind, it seems like a great time to compare each of the Philadelphia 76ers starters to each player at their respective position.
I did write something similar to this during the regular season, but that wasn’t the right time for it. With that in mind, there will be several criteria impacting these rankings.
If a player is going to miss the majority of the season or all of it then they won’t be on these rankings. These rankings are based on a combination of what the players did last season and projections of what they will do this upcoming year. With that in mind, let’s start with the point guards. It should also be noted if a player is multi-positional, the position that they are projected to start in will be the one that they will be ranked as.
30. Monte Morris
It could be argued that if Jamaal Murray didn’t get injured, the Denver Nuggets had a legit shot to win an NBA title. However, that wasn’t the case and he’s going to miss most of the next season. Monte Morris will most likely take his place in the starting five. He’s not a playmaker, but he’s an efficient scorer so the Nuggets could be in the worst place in terms of having a backup plan for Murray’s injury.
29. Killian Hayes
It’s not fair to say, but despite only entering his second season, Killian Hayes’ has big pressure to perform this season. The Detroit Pistons selected Cade Cunningham first overall and if the two can’t make it work, then it might be the end of Hayes’ tenure in Detroit. Hayes showed promise as a defender and passer as a rookie but has to improve on offense this next season to fulfill his potential as a former lottery pick.
28. Devonte’ Graham
With Lonzo Ball gone in a sign-and-trade, the New Orleans Pelicans landed Devonte’ Graham in a different sign-and-trade from the Charlotte Hornets. Graham is an undersized point guard who can score in bunches. Graham might best be served as a sixth man off the bench due to inefficiency scoring at times and defensive issues, but unless there’s a surprise coming out of training camp, he’s probably going to be starting for the Pelicans this season.
27. Markelle Fultz
Markelle Fultz is coming off a major injury that had him miss most of last season, so hopefully, he has time to fix his jump shot. He will be sharing a backcourt with fifth overall pick Jalen Suggs and either can play guard position. For the sake of this article, Fultz is the point guard because Suggs is better playing off the ball than Fultz. If his shooting gets better, expect his stock on this rankings to rise. Side note, Cole Anthony could steal this job from Fultz at some point in the future.
26. Dennis Shroder
Dennis Shroder betted on himself and turned down a big contract extension during this past season. He lost that bet and the Boston Celtics got a steal in free agency because of it. He’s best as a sixth man, but as the Celtics starter, he’ll be able to score the ball alongside Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Hopefully, he can use this season to get himself a big payday next year.
25. Reggie Jackson
Before these last playoffs, Reggie Jackson would have been lower on this list. However, he played very well for the Los Angeles Clippers this postseason and it earned him a solid payday. He’s expected to be the starter for the Clippers next year and with Kawhi Leonard out for most of next year, he could be the second leading scorer for the team moving forward.
24. Kemba Walker
The only reason why Kemba Walker isn’t higher is because of his recent injury history. It’s hurt his game and if he’s not 100.0 percent then this spot in these rankings makes sense. However, with him and Derrick Rose sharing point guard duties for the New York Knicks, it could help both veterans play at a high level in fewer minutes.
23. Darius Garland
There’s a real chance that a month into the season that the 23rd spot on this list is way too low for Darius Garland. He showed improvement from his first to his second season and there’s a chance he makes another big leap into his third season. If he does, then the Cleveland Cavaliers have a very nice backcourt of the future.
22. D’Angelo Russell
Injuries slowed down D’Angelo Russell last season, but if health and a better-constructed roster hold up, Russell will be able to show off his scoring skills with Karl-Anthony Towns. Russell is a great scorer, but isn’t a great playmaker and is a bad defender. If he locks in and tries on defense, he could be a top-20 point guard.
21. John Wall
Having John Wall 21st on this list doesn’t make me feel good. He had his worst season shooting the ball in his career, but he still averaged around 20 points and seven assists. He was coming off an Achilles injury and was on a rebuilding team in the Houston Rockets. The Rockets’ situation hasn’t changed but he’s had a full offseason to recover so hopefully he will regain his previous form prior to the injury.
20. Dejounte Murray
DeJounte Murray has improved every season he has played in. He’s a great defender, solid playmaker, and rebounder. He can finish around the rim, but he can’t hit from the 3-point line consistently. If he adds that to his game, then he can be an All-Star for the San Antonio Spurs.
19. Lonzo Ball
The Chicago Bulls have gotten their point guard of the future with Lonzo Ball. Ball is a great defender, playmaker, and 3-point shooter. If he was aggressive in getting his own shot, then he’d be an All-Star. However, don’t be surprised if he averages a career-high in assist with players like Zach LaVine, DeMarr DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic to pass the ball too.
18. Spencer Dinwiddie
It’s a little ambitious to have Spencer Dinwiddie in the top-20 considering that he’s coming off a major injury, but he’s a legit talent at the position. He’s a great passer, can play on and off the ball, defender, and scorer. If he becomes a legit threat from the 3-point line, he’s pushing for a top-10 spot. It will be interesting what type of dynamic he and Bradley Beal with the Washington Wizards.
17. Mike Conely
Mike Conely finally made his first All-Star last season but there’s a real chance that Conely could see a slight decline next year. He’s going to be 34-years-old next season and he already has played 14 seasons so there’s a real chance for a slight decline. With that being written, he’s still a very good point guard in the NBA.
16. Kyle Lowry
It’s fair to say that Kyle Lowry was the biggest free agent this offseason and the Maimi Heat were the team that were able to land him in a sign-and-trade. Lowry played at an All-Star level last season, but with better teammates and being 35-years-old he could see some serious regression. Still, he could end up being higher on this list as the regular season progression.
15. Fred VanVleet
With Lowry gone, Fred Van Vleet finally becomes the full-time point guard for the Toronto Raptors. He struggled with efficiency last year, but outside of that, he’s the complete package at the point guard position. Sure he’s a little undersized but he’s still a plus defender. It will be interesting what a core of he and Pascal Siakim can do for the Raptors this year in a loaded Eastern Conference.
14. Malcolm Brogdon
Malcolm Brogdon is coming off a career season in scoring the ball. He should have been in the All-Star conversation based on his production. The question is can he be a part of the solution to correcting the woes with the Indiana Pacers? He’s been a part of winning situations in the past, but can he do it again while being a 20-point per game scorer? This season will answer those questions.
13. Ja Morant
Ja Morant is one of the most exciting point guards in the NBA. Outside of Russell Westbrook, he’s arguably the most athletic player at the position. The one area of his game that he needs to improve in order to take the next step of being a top-10 point guard is improving his outside shot. If he does that, then he can be something special for the Memphis Grizzlies.
12. De’Aaron Fox
Honesty, it’s hard to know what the Sacramento Kings are doing with the point guard position. They have De’Aaron Fox who’s a two-way player at the position and is arguably the fastest player in the NBA. Yet, the team has invested the last two first round picks in players that can also play the point guard position in Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell. For now, Fox is the starter as he should be, but it’s unclear if he’s in the team’s long term plans.
11. LaMelo Ball
It was so tempting to having LaMelo Ball in the top-10 of these rankings, but he’s just not there yet. He still needs to improve as a defender and could improve on his overall decision-making, but make no mistake that he’s a special player for the Charlotte Hornets. Based on how much growth he has this upcoming season, he could jump into the top-eight at his position.
10. Ben Simmons
“…in a vacuum, Simmons’ a top-10 point guard…”
Ranking Ben Simmons was hard for me. In terms of talent, he’s a top-10 point guard. However, his mental makeup, reliability, and overall limitations would make several players behind him on this list more attractive on the Philadelphia 76ers. However, in a vacuum, Simmons’ a top-10 point guard, but don’t be surprised if he is moved at some point in the future.
9. Shai-Gilgeous Alexander
Technically, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander (SGA) is a combo guard but based on the projected starting five for the Oklahoma City Thunder, he’s a point guard. That being said, SGA is already a two-way star at the position. It’s a shame the Thunder aren’t in a place to contend, because he’s talented enough to be a top-three player for a title contender.
8. Jrue Holiday
There’s no doubt about it, Jrue Holiday is a top-five defender in the NBA and he proved it as the Milwaukee Bucks won their second championship in franchise history. He’s a two-way star and while his offense isn’t always at an All-Star level, his defense makes up for that shortcoming.
7. Russell Westbrook
The debate is over, Russell Westbrook is the most athletic point guard in NBA and he’s a top-10 point guard of All-Time. His shooting woes and his over-aggressiveness has hurt his teams in the playoffs, but the talent can’t be denied. It will be interesting if he, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis can make a deep run with the Los Angeles Lakers.
6. Trae Young
Both Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers learned just how good Trae Young was this postseason. Atlanta’s point guard led this young Hawks team to an improbably Eastern Conference Finals run. Young has his flaws as a defender, but what he can do on both side of the ball can’t be denied.
5. Chris Paul
Fresh off an NBA finals defeat, the “point god” proved he’s still one of the best point guards in the NBA despite being 36-years-old. It will be interesting to see if father time will finally catch up to one of the best to ever play the position. If he’s still the same player he was last year, then the Phoenix Suns should still be right in the thick of contention in the Western Conference.
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4. Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic just got paid the biggest rookie extension in NBA history and he’s deserved every bit of it. He’s brought life to the Dallas Mavericks and is great in every area of the game save for his defense. Now, if he had a better team around him, the Mavericks would be contenders every season.
3. Damian Lillard
Most Sixers fans hope that Damian Lillard will be sporting a 76ers jersey at some point this season. However, for now, Lillard is still the only superstar of the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard is one of the best scorers in the NBA and deserves better than what the Blazers have put around him.
2. James Harden
Technically, James Harden is a combo guard, but thanks to a mid-season adjustment, he’s projected the starting point guard for the Brooklyn Nets. Harden is similar to Doncic as he’s elite on offense and ok defensively. However, the former MVP is much more seasoned than the Mavericks young star. Harden is what makes the Nets the overwhelming favorites to win a title this upcoming season.
1. Stephen Curry
There’s no denying that Stephen Curry is the greatest shooter to ever play the game of basketball. He arguably had the best season of his career last year and with a healthy Klay Thompson and a talented group of young players around him, Curry and the Golden State Warriors should be in the conversation for the NBA title again.
Agree or disagree with these point guard rankings? Comment below if you believe the Philadelphia 76ers point guard was too high or too low in these rankings.