Sixers: Ranking Tyrese Maxey and every starting point guard in the NBA
Devonte' Graham. 27. player. 69. . PG. New Orleans Pelicans
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 27. Devonte’ Graham, Pelicans
The Pelicans have struggled to stay afloat absent Zion Williamson, but Devonte’ Graham’s arrival cannot be viewed as a failure. He’s doing what he does best — bombing 3s and facilitating the basketball at a high level. Graham’s deep range and slick basketball I.Q. make him an important glue piece for New Orleans’ offense, even if it all feels a little fruitless without Zion in the rotation.
For the season, Graham is averaging 14.0 points and 4.5 assists in 31.3 minutes per game. His lack of efficiency is a minor concern (37.2 percent from the field, 36.0 percent from deep), but such is the nature of Graham. He lives and dies by the 3, and that’s not the worst thing when you project ahead to his fit next to Williamson.
26. player. 77. . PG. Los Angeles Clippers. Reggie Jackson
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 26. Reggie Jackson, Clippers
The Clippers are another team trying to stay afloat absent its best player. Reggie Jackson was integral to LA’s success in the playoffs, and he has carried that momentum over into a new season with a new contract. He’s struggling from the field (38.7 percent), but is still a steady hand at the controls of Ty Lue’s offense.
Supplying 16.8 points and 3.9 assists per game, Jackson is essentially No. 2 on the Clippers’ hierarchy absent Kawhi Leonard. He’s good for the occasional scoring outburst, and his long-stewing chemistry with Paul George is important to that team’s success.
player. 18. . PG. Boston Celtics. Marcus Smart. 25
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 25. Marcus Smart, Celtics
Marcus Smart is Marcus Smart. He’s a known commodity at this point — elite guard defender, vocal locker room leader, provider of ample spunk, and not really a point guard in the traditional sense. The Celtics have struggled to find rhythm offensively, and one can’t help but look twice at Smart, even if Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown naturally soak up plenty of ball-handling duties.
Even so, Smart’s impact is impossible to deny. He can single-handedly change the tenor of a game with his hustle and defensive I.Q. He’s always in the right place at the right time, and has no qualms about making the extra effort to procure an extra possession or extend one.