With the 2021-22 season approaching its midpoint, the NBA landscape is starting to take shape. The contenders look like contenders, and the pretenders aren’t terribly hard to point out. We have new All-Stars on the scene, old flames going cold, and every storyline in between. Despite the inherent weirdness brought on by the pandemic, we have been treated to an entertaining season of basketball, if not a very consistent one.
That being said, it’s time to revisit our position rankings for every starter league-wide. Rather than investigate Ben Simmons’ standing among the NBA’s point guards, however, we will take a look at Tyrese Maxey, who is all but officially the starting point guard of the future for the Sixers.
With that in mind, let’s get underway.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 30. Killian Hayes, Pistons
The Pistons have several intriguing young players on the roster. There have been sizable bumps in the road, but the flashes — as a playmaker and a defender — are more than enough to sustain optimism around the former No. 7 pick. Hayes is far from a consistently successful starter, but he’s not a total bust yet.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 29. Alec Burks, Knicks
You could just as easily slide Kemba Walker into this slot (or maybe it’ll end up being Immanuel Quickley), but Alec Burks has started the most games of any Knicks “point guard” and, prior to his recent knee injury, Walker’s production was starting to tail off. Burks is a sufficient rotation guard and a genuinely electric on-ball scorer from time to time. But he’s not really the ideal starting point guard, and New York’s lack of a formidable backcourt is its biggest weakness by far.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 28. Kevin Porter Jr., Rockets
Kevin Porter Jr. has documented issues with his temperament in the locker room, and Houston’s rebuild is just getting started. There is reason for concern. That said, there are nights where Porter looks like a lottery pick, and those nights are enough to sustain his mythic status in the Rockets fanbase. He dropped 50 at one point last season, and his silk-smooth handles provide the foundation for a dangerous isolation scorer. He has the tools to be really good. It’s a matter of if, not can.
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.
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.
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.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 24. D’Angelo Russell, Timberwolves
On the surface, the D’Angelo Russell experience is quite fun. He’s averaging 18.9 points and 6.9 assists as the clear No. 3 in Minnesota’s hierarchy. His hot streaks border on artistry, and his patience out of the pick-and-roll forms the foundation of a legitimately dynamic modern floor general.
Problem is, Russell is inefficient (39.8 percent from the field) and a complete no-show on defense. He has many good nights, and often enough, the offense can overshadow the defense. But there are also nights where Russell is holding KAT and company back, rather than elevating his teammates.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 23. Spencer Dinwiddie, Wizards
It has been a difficult return to action for Spencer Dinwiddie, who missed all of last season due to an ACL tear. He doesn’t look quite himself, and after a hot start, the Wizards are starting to slip in the standings. All hope is not lost, however. The flashes are there, and as Dinwiddie begins to regain comfort, the production should follow.
Even in his diminished state, Dinwiddie is giving Washington 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. The percentages are bleh (.393/.331/.782), but again — knee injuries are tricky. Dinwiddie made a living getting downhill, putting pressure on the rim, and picking apart defenses from the inside-out. Have patience.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 22. Tyrese Maxey, Sixers
Tyrese Maxey has been even better than his most ardent supporters anticipated before the season. He’s not only filling in for Ben Simmons — he’s establishing himself as the point guard of the future in Philadelphia. It hasn’t come without its warps, but for stretches this season, Maxey’s production had people thinking about the All-Star game.
So far, Maxey is averaging 16.8 points and 4.5 assists on .473/.380/.871 splits. Pretty absurd when you consider where he was just last season, playing 15 minutes a night as the 21st pick. His slippery speed, feather-soft touch, and steadily growing chemistry with Joel Embiid are all reasons for extreme long-term optimism.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 21. Lonzo Ball, Bulls
Lonzo Ball has finally found a home in Chicago, where right now, he’s the defensive crux of the East’s best team. His range and I.Q. are difficult to overstate. At 6-foot-6, he covers more ground than a lot of wings. He doesn’t hound the point of attack in the traditional sense, but instead he roams — plugging holes, racking up deflections, and making it infinitely harder to get the ball rolling offensively.
Oh, and Ball looks great offensively. He’s shooting 41.8 percent from 3 while supplying 12.9 points and 5.8 assists per game. Not everyone appreciates Ball at face value, because he’s not the flashy player we were led to believe he was at UCLA. He’s more connective tissue than muscle fiber, but Chicago’s metaphorical offensive appendage isn’t moving right without the critical structure Ball provides.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 20. Cole Anthony, Magic
Orlando’s rebuild has cleared the runway for Cole Anthony, who has followed up his middling rookie season with a barn-burning sophomore campaign. Anthony is averaging 19.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists, contributing across the board for a team in desperate need of his perimeter shot creation.
The Magic have a bright future, with several capable young pieces across the board. Even so, very few players on that roster can consistently initiate and sustain the offense. Anthony is not the most efficient scorer (40.6 percent from the field), but that comes with such a large burden.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 19. Dejounte Murray, Spurs
A nightly triple-double threat and the leading candidate for NBA’s Most Improved Player, Dejounte Murray has fully arrived on the scene. It speaks to the strength of the point guard position, then, that he sits all the way back at 19. Murray still isn’t a prolific 3-point threat, but his remarkable offensive growth — paired with elite perimeter defense — make Murray a borderline All-Star candidate out west.
For the season, Murray is averaging 18.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 8.9 assists. He’s doing it all for San Antonio, quite literally. He has taken the opportunity afforded by DeMar DeRozan’s absence and run with it, embracing the duties of lead creator and coming into his own as a pull-up shooter inside the arc.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 18. Darius Garland, Cavaliers
In the wake of Collin Sexton’s season-ending knee injury, Darius Garland has made the All-Star leap. He’s elevating a top-5 seed to new heights offensively, with a dynamic 3-point shot, impeccable feel operating out of the pick-and-roll, and confidence that seems to increase every game. He’s supplying 19.4 points and 7.3 assists on .469/.380/.905 splits. Hard to beat for a 21-year-old.
By this time next year, Garland will probably sit a few spots higher. In fact, he could sit higher by season’s end. His growth has been exponential, and he’s carrying a massive load for a good team with unmistakable poise. It’s impressive to behold.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 17. Malcolm Brogdon, Pacers
The Pacers continue to flounder, which is unfortunate. Malcolm Brogdon has been buried beneath a potpourri of more interesting storylines in Indy over the past couple seasons, but he remains a steady, night-in, night-out star who should one day again — hopefully sooner than later — lend his services to a winning team.
For the season, Brogdon is averaging 19.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists on .446/.311/.855 splits. His sudden downward spike in 3-point shooting is a short-term concern, but not cause for long-term panic. Brogdon has been an elite shooter for his entire career. Expect regression to the mean.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 16. Russell Westbrook, Lakers
Oh, Russell Westbrook. Who can accurately access Westbrook’s value at this point? The discourse around him has become toxic and the Lakers spotlight has never been favorable to declining superstars. That said, the former MVP is still quite good, and the Lakers’ problems extend far beyond him.
Something of a square peg in a round hole offensively, Westbrook is still giving the Lakers 19.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists on 44.4 percent shooting. He has all the classical trappings of Russell Westbrook, and some nights are worse than others, but he’s having a good year. A solid, run-of-the-mill, star-level season. He’s not getting triple-doubles at the same rate, but Westbrook still fills the stat sheet as the No. 3 option on a burgeoning contender.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 15. De’Aaron Fox, Kings
It has been a brutal season for De’Aaron Fox, the captain of a sinking ship. His individual numbers are down and the Kings still can’t win enough games to keep the public’s attention. He could get traded soon. There’s certainly buzz around him. Don’t get is twisted, though — Fox remains one hell of a player, with a bright future in Sacramento, Philadelphia, or wherever else he ends up playing.
For the season, the struggling Fox is contributing 20.7 points and 5.1 assists on .450/.247/.750 splits. That is decidedly not bad, even if the lack of jump shooting touch is still a stain on his resumé. Fox has dealt with some turnover issues too, but with the team around him in perpetual disarray, it’s hard to expect Fox to shine every night.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 14. Mike Conley, Jazz
The Jazz are the NBA’s most vanilla contender, so it can be easy to overlook just how good the individual components of the wider mechanism are. Mike Conley is not quite the same Mike Conley from back in Memphis, but he’s not far off. His numbers don’t stack up to his peers on paper — 14.0 points, 5.4 assists — but such is life in Utah.
Conley’s supreme efficiency is a better indicator of his value. He’s shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from deep, with the same pick-and-roll mastery and feather-soft floater that made him so dominant once upon a time in Memphis. He gets to take a back seat to Donovan Mitchell, but Conley made his first All-Star team last season for good reason. He still has it.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 13. Fred VanVleet, Raptors
Fred VanVleet’s 2022 coming out party has been a long time coming. With Kyle Lowry gone and a new chapter underway in Toronto, VanVleet is starting to look like the ringleader of that next generation. His remarkable blend of confidence and control is the stuff of stars. He just does not get flustered.
That is nothing new of course. VanVleet has been clutch since before he even reached the league, and his excellent season — 22.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists, .442/.409/.892 — is deservedly getting All-Star buzz. He has a real case to start with how the standings look. Give him his flowers.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 12. Kyle Lowry, Heat
Kyle Lowry’s arrival has bolstered Miami’s standing as a legitimate title contender. The seamlessness of his contributions come as no surprise. Lowry has long been able to blend styles and adopt his role depending on the teammates around him. With deep 3-point range, boundless cleverness, and utility both on and off the ball, Lowry is the perfect No. 3 for a Heat team that can beat you any number of ways.
For the season, Lowry is averaging 13.7 points and 8.4 assists (a number he has only reached once before in his career). The efficiency hasn’t been what we’ve accustomed to, but as he gets more comfortable in Miami and the Heat get healthier, Lowry should see his shooting numbers balance out.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 11. Jamal Murray, Nuggets
We have not seen Jamal Murray in a while, and there’s no telling how exactly he will look post-ACL tear. That said, before the injury was Murray’s breakout. He was close to joining the ranks of the NBA’s best guards, with a stellar run in the Bubble serving to elevate his legend league-wide. He’s clutch, and he can trade isolation buckets with just about anyone.
Murray averaged 21.2 points and 4.8 assists in 48 games last season, and were it not for his injury, Denver might have had a real chance to make noise in the playoffs. He’s somewhat unique for the “point guard” position — Nikola Jokic is, for all intents and purposes, Denver’s point guard — but even so, Murray has his moments as a playmaker.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 10. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
OKC is intentionally bad, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a bight beacon of hope for the future. After a successful stretch as Chris Paul’s No. 2, Gilgeous-Alexander has now acquiesced brilliantly to the role of pack leader. He can get his own shot from anywhere on the court, using odd, arrhythmic handles and a wiry 6-foot-6 frame to evade defenders.
Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the truly slick lead ball-handlers in the NBA. He’s hard to stay in front of, even if he lacks the explosive first step of more traditional lead guards. For the season, he’s averaging 22.6 points and 5.2 assists on .415/.279/.825 splits. The efficiency is a minor concern, but one has to factor his role (and the quality of his teammates) into the equation.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 9. LaMelo Ball, Hornets
LaMelo Ball’s sophomore surge has come as a surprise to absolutely no one. Of course he looks great, and of course he’s the future of Charlotte’s franchise. With the pieces around him beginning to take shape, the Hornets have a lot to look forward to — with a star guard whose best trait is his ability to elevate teammates.
With a 6-foot-7 frame, confidence cultivated since childhood, and preternatural playmaking instincts, Ball is pretty much the complete package. He’s averaging 19.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.6 assists. The defense will come around too. He’s too smart and too rangy.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 8. Jrue Holiday, Bucks
Jrue Holiday arrived in Milwaukee and promptly won a championship. There are several factors beyond that in Milwaukee’s title run, but there’s no doubt Holiday was helpful. He’s one of the most singularly impactful defenders in the NBA, with multi-positional versatility and unmatched veracity at the point of attack.
He’s not half bad on offense either. Holiday isn’t the flashiest player, but he’s averaging 18.4 points and 6.7 assists on .499/.382/.709 splits. That efficiency, especially from deep, has been a pleasant surprise. He’s one of the NBA’s best passers, and when he’s on (which has been most of this season), he’s pretty damn deadly getting to his spots.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 7. Ja Morant, Grizzlies
Ja Morant has made the leap — from good to great, from not All-Star to All-Star, from leader of a play-in team to leader of a potential championship team. The Grizzlies are one of the NBA’s hottest teams, and while the entire roster deserves credit, it is Morant’s sudden ascent that has put Memphis on the map.
He’s averaging 24.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists on .489/.379/.767 splits. Morant has always been able to attack the rim at will. Now, he has mixed his blinding speed and advanced playmaking instincts with a consistent 3-point shot and a more varied in-between game. He’s special, and the Grizzlies are here to stay in the Western Conference playoff picture.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 6. Trae Young, Hawks
Trae Young continues to get better each and every year. On top of his characteristic 3-point range and dynamic handles, Young has added something important to the mix in 2021-22 — a mid-range game. Now he’s a true threat from everywhere on the court, leveraging his shooting gravity, quick-twitch handles, and speedster status to punish his defenders for any manner of mistake.
With averages of 28.0 points and 9.6 assists, Young is one of the most purely productive players in the NBA. He puts numbers on the board, and he makes everyone around him better in the process. The Hawks have let him down in myriad respects this season, but don’t confuse Atlanta’s struggles for that of Young. He’s going to be around for a long time.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 5. Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
There is real concern about the future of Damian Lillard. His abdominal injury continues to linger, and signs point toward a potentially long-term issue. He’s 31 years old already, and he’s a relatively small point guard who doesn’t play great defense. Is that precipitous fall that catches all superstars going to catch Lillard sooner than expected? It’s possible.
That said, Lillard is still really freakin’ good, and even in a down season, he’s averaging 24.0 points and 7.3 assists, comfortably above what most NBA players can offer. His efficiency has dipped dramatically, hitting only 32.4 percent of his 3s, but it’s hard not to think of it as a cold spell and nothing more. The injuries are a problem, and Portland is in complete disarray around Lillard, but he’s still a top-5 NBA point guard. He gets the benefit of the doubt.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 4. Chris Paul, Suns
Chris Paul is still the Point God. Phoenix looks primed to defend its conference title, and the 36-year-old CP3 has still shown absolutely no signs of slowing down. His mastery of the game at every level, from leadership in the locker room to firmly exerted control on the court, is magnificent to watch. He never gets flustered or rattled. He doesn’t get sped up, or fall prey to simple mistakes. He is peerless, the conductor of possibly the NBA’s best orchestra.
For the season, Paul is averaging 14.0 points and 10.1 assists on .474/.328/.835 splits. It is hard to describe what Paul is accomplishing, and it is supremely rare for a player of Paul’s caliber to sustain his dominance for so long. He is also a 6-foot point guard with a long history of lower-body injuries, the kind of player who most commonly falls prey to athletic decline.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 3. James Harden, Nets
James Harden has — for the first time in a long time — truly struggled, for an extended period of time. This season has not been easy on the 32-year-old, with clear carryover from last season’s hamstring injury. The constant flux of COVID has not made things any easier. Harden doesn’t have quite the same rhythm, quite the same level of control we’re used to seeing from him.
Even so, Harden is still averaging 22.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 9.7 assists on .417/.331/.869 splits — pretty impressive, if you ask me. Even the worst version of Harden is a great deal better than most players, and recent weeks have given Brooklyn fans reason for optimism. Harden seems to be getting things slowly back in gear, and the Nets are title favorites because of it.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 2. Luka Doncic, Mavericks
Luka Doncic was the preseason favorite to win MVP. He has not delivered on that hype, but the Mavs are still a top-5 seed despite roster deficiencies and a historically inept coach. Doncic fills the stat sheet as much as any player in the league, and we have seen in consecutive postseasons just how far Doncic can carry a team with his production alone.
For the season, the 22-year-old (!!!) is averaging 24.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 9.0 assists on .438/.318/.721 splits. If he can really master that 3-point shot, beyond the great many step-backs we see every night, NBA teams are dead in the water.
Ranking NBA starting point guards — 1. Stephen Curry, Warriors
Stephen Curry will probably win MVP, and the Warriors have a real chance to add ring No. 4 to his collection. He’s not even having a particularly standout season on paper — his 38.4 percent success rate from 3-point range is the lowest mark of his career if you discount the five games he played in 2019-20. Curry has never been below 40 percent from 3 before, and it doesn’t particularly seem to matter. He’s taking more than ever, winning games, and defenses still have no clue how to guard him.
Curry is averaging 26.8 points and 6.1 assists, doing most of his damage per-usual without even touching the ball. Golden State has built a highly complex and productive system around Curry’s off-ball movement and generational shooting touch. He can impact winning as much as any player in the game, and he does so without great size or great athleticism. He’s the ultimate skill player, and he’s No. 1 on this list without any shred of doubt.