Sixers: Ranking Seth Curry and every starting shooting guard in the NBA
New York Knicks. Evan Fournier. 27. player. 27. . SG
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 27. Evan Fournier, Knicks
Evan Fournier has not exactly endeared himself to New York fans, who take no shortage of opportunities to bemoan the 29-year-old inconsistency. It has been a difficult adjustment for Fournier, who until last season had spent his entire season in Orlando. The Knicks continue to ride with him in the starting five, however, and his production is not entirely putrid — 13.6 points on .416/.388/.733 splits.
On the whole, Fournier remains an entirely serviceable starting two-guard, with deep 3-point range and some clever tactics off the dribble. He doesn’t create much for others, and the defense is a problem, but you can do worse than Fournier. That said, his new contract does not look great.
Milwaukee Bucks. Grayson Allen. 26. player. 89. . SG
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 26. Grayson Allen, Bucks
This spot could belong to Donte DiVincenzo once he returns to full strength, but Grayson Allen has pleasantly surprised in his first season with Milwaukee. He has stepped up with the Bucks in need of a fifth starter, sniping away from 3-point range and providing competent secondary ball-handling.
Allen’s fiery demeanor has gotten him in trouble in the past, but he’s a good competitor — a real winner, and the kind of player suited to high-stakes basketball. He’s averaging 11.6 points on .414/.389/.854 splits. He plays hard defense, knows his place in the offense, and does the little things to accentuate Milwaukee’s stars.
SG. New Orleans Pelicans. Josh Hart. 25. player. 69.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 25. Josh Hart, Pelicans
Josh Hart is easily the best rebounder on the list. One of them, at least, pulling down 7.4 per game, along with 13.2 points and 4.4 assists. The Villanova product got a shiny new contract in the summer and has graduated into the starting role, a role he figures to maintain even once Zion Williamson returns.
He’s the quintessential role player, stuffing the stat sheet both defensively and offensively without domineering possessions or getting in the way of his more important teammates. Hart is willing to do the dirty work, and he’s an impressively versatile weapon at 6-foot-5. He can play all over the floor.