With the 2021-22 season approaching its midpoint, we have decided to revisit our rankings of every starter at every position. We have already compared Tyrese Maxey to his fellow point guards. Now, Seth Curry is next in line.
The Sixers have won seven of eight and are surging, with Seth Curry deserving of ample credit for what — to this point — is a career-best season. His chemistry with Joel Embiid has reached new heights, as has Curry’s ability to score and create off the dribble. His reputation has soared accordingly.
With that said, where does the 31-year-old rank against his peers at the two-guard position?
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 30. Jalen Suggs, Magic
Jalen Suggs’ tumble to the No. 5 spot on draft night surprised many. He has subsequently struggled to find stable footing in the NBA, with injury already taking a large chunk out of his season. The bare bones of a special player are there, and Suggs investors should maintain long-term confidence. That said, he’s a rookie guard who’s still adjusting to the speed, physicality, and complexity of the NBA game — to the tune of just 12.3 points and 3.6 assists on 33.9 percent shooting.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 29. Malik Monk, Lakers
Malik Monk has taken over the starting gig in LA, and for good reason. He flashed upside in Charlotte, but the Lakers have put him in a true position to succeed — in part due to necessity, and in part due to his hand-in-glove fit with LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and the Lakers’ core. He’s a dynamic 3-point shooter who can gallop ahead in transition and provide some real juice off the dribble. The Lakers need more firepower offensively, and Monk has provided some where other role players on that team have not. He’s averaging 12.3 points and slashing .474/.408/.851.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 28. Jalen Green, Rockets
The reigning No. 2 pick has been relatively disappointing so far. Many expected him to immediately take the reigns of top scorer in Houston’s offense, but it has been a slow build for Green. He has been extremely inconsistent night to night, with the kind of poise issues that often plague young guards. He will get better, with elite athleticism and shot-making instincts plainly evident in his play, even now. He’s averaging 15.2 points on .397/.311/.821 splits.
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.
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.
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.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 24. Duncan Robinson, Heat
It has been a slightly down season for Duncan Robinson, which stands in contrast to a surging Heat team. A career 40.9 percent 3-point shooter, Robinson has only hit 35.7 percent of his triples in 2021-22. It says something about Robinson’s ability that a league-average season from deep feels like such a disappointment.
Struggles aside, Robinson remains integral to Miami’s dynamic offense. His off-ball gravity unlocks so much for Miami’s key creators. Robinson moves unceasingly, taking a page out of J.J. Redick’s book. He doesn’t let his defender rest, and even in the midst of a relative slump, his reputation is such that his defender cannot — and will not, at least purposefully — lose sight of him.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 23. Gary Trent Jr., Raptors
Gary Trent Jr. can put the ball in the basket. There’s no doubt about it. He’s averaging 16.8 points on respectable .421/.368/.845 splits, and this season, he has made major strides on the defensive end. To the point where he’s a major part of Toronto’s elite defense, rather than a weak point.
For the most part, Trent is still a one-dimensional player. He’s a bundle of points, without much else to contribute. He doesn’t create for others, and there are stretches where his points feel somewhat empty. That said, Trent has given Toronto fans plenty of reasons for optimism over the new contract.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 22. Josh Giddey, Thunder
Josh Giddey is one of the more unique players to enter the NBA in a while. He’s 6-foot-8, razor-thin, and he’s not much of a scorer. But he’s also one of the NBA’s smartest players, with vision and basketball I.Q. well beyond your typical 19-year-old. And he’s still a young 19-year-old. Giddey process the game with impressive speed, with the size to peer over defenders and read the entire floor on the move.
A nightly triple-double threat, Giddey is averaging 11.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists on .401/.280/.681 splits. His next step is getting the 3-point shot down, but even without it, Giddey’s slick handles, long strides, and soft touch make him enough of a scoring threat to make his playmaking chops truly dangerous.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 21. Will Barton, Nuggets
Will Barton has elevated his play for an injury-riddled Nuggets team, averaging 15.1 points and 4.2 assists on .422/.361/.808 splits. It’s not hard to wrap your head around Barton’s game. He’s a slinky and dynamic scorer, with a smooth, high-release jumper and the explosiveness to gain separation off the dribble.
While Barton’s production around the margins is limited, his assist numbers are notable. This is a career year for him in that department, and his ability to do more with the ball in his hands — including creating for others — has been huge with the looming absences of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 20. Jalen Brunson, Mavericks
Jalen Brunson has made the leap from a fan favorite off the bench to an essential part of Dallas’ starting five. The diminutive 6-foot-1 point guard has translated what made him such a dominant collegiate player to the professional level. He’s a uniquely gifted scorer around the rim, probing inside and beating defenses with feather-soft floaters and clever evasive maneuvers around traffic.
For the season, Brunson is averaging 16.0 points and 5.6 assists on .499/.336/.773 splits. He’s a point guard by nature, with a real knack for controlling the tempo of a game and creating out of the pick-and-roll. He has, of course, proven adept off the ball too in his spot next to Luka Doncic. He can hit spot-up 3s, make smart cuts, and play the part of ball-mover, rather than lead creator, quite successfully.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 19. Bogdan Bogdanovic, Hawks
Bogdan Bogdanovic has struggled considerably after his dynamite finish to last season. That said, there is too much on Bogdanovic’s resumé not to retain a high level of confidence in the 29-year-old’s inevitable rebound. He has been on some of the biggest professional stages in the world since even before his NBA debut, and his 3-point shot (35.4 percent) should regress to the mean at some point.
For the season, Bogdanovic has still supplied a respectable 12.0 points and 3.8 rebounds as part of Atlanta’s sprawling wing depth chart. The Hawks have tumbled far in the standings, and there is inevitably some form of shake-up coming at the trade deadline. However that effects Bogdanovic, one has to expect him to improve over the second half of the season.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 18. Terry Rozier III, Hornets
Terry Rozier continues to score prodigiously as LaMelo Ball’s backcourt mate in Charlotte. He has made the leap from sparky sixth man to bona fide starting guard — a player the Hornets can rely upon late in games, and who more often than not offers sustained positive impact on winning.
Not many guards are more creative than Rozier with the ball in hand. He’s not the best facilitator, but he doesn’t need to be in Charlotte. He’s there to hit spot-up 3s (check), beat close outs (check) and help bolster the late-game offense (check). Rozier’s ability to dribble serpentine patterns around the defense and find his spots as a pull-up shooters make him imminently watchable, and he’s not as bad defensively as he used to be. He’s supplying 18.3 points and 3.5 assists on .434/.379/.808 splits.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 17. Seth Curry, Sixers
Seth Curry continues to showcase telepathic chemistry with Joel Embiid, forming half of one of the NBA’s most potent two-man games. Curry’s off-ball gravity has long been foundational to Philadelphia’s offense, but this season he has unveiled something new — an increased presence on the ball, creating out of DHOs, putting pressure on the rim, and creating for others.
The Sixers’ lack of point guard depth is a concern even still, but Curry’s ability to provide stopgap ball-handling was greatly underestimated in seasons prior. He’s a legitimate lead ball-handler, if only because Embiid is essential the axis upon which the Sixers’ offense rotates. Curry is one of the NBA’s best shooters, and now, his skill set is stretching even further, to the tune of 16.2 points and 3.9 assists on .513/.419/.877 splits.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 16. Caris LeVert, Pacers
Caris LeVert has been handed more ball-handling duties this season, in part due to extended absences from Malcolm Brogdon, T.J. Warren, and other key Pacers. While Indiana has been thoroughly underwhelming, LeVert deserves credit. Barring a (very possible) trade deadline maneuver, he’s at the center of what Indiana is building right now.
For the season, LeVert is averaging 17.8 points and 4.2 assists on .435/.318/.790 splits. He’s not the most efficient scorer, and the point guard skills are still amateur, but with quick-twitch athleticism and a killer in-between game, LeVert is someone the Pacers can rely on to create his own offense.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 15. Derrick White, Spurs
Derrick White’s breakout season hasn’t exactly happened yet. Many pegged this season — with DeMar DeRozan gone — as the year in which White would start to really make noise. Instead, he has been overshadowed by the sudden All-Star candidacy of Dejounte Murray. That said, White remains vastly underappreciated and the kind of player who could make a contender very happy at the trade deadline.
With averages of 14.5 points and 5.5 assists on .423/.294/.869 splits, the offense hasn’t quite clicked for White. The 3-point shot is the obvious hole. White is a willing shooter, but he has to get the percentage back to the mid-30s, where it was last season. Even with some notable low points on offense, however, White’s defense gets him a spot in the top half of this list. He’s one of the best guard defenders in the NBA.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 14. Collin Sexton, Cavaliers
Collin Sexton will spend the rest of this season on the sidelines, which is deeply unfortunate. The Cavs have started to win games, and Sexton — in a contract year — was on track to make some serious money. Now, there are some lingering question marks left unanswered. Namely, has Sexton really improved beyond last season’s empty calories?
Well, first — defining last season as empty calories for Sexton feels disingenuous. He averaged 24.6 points per game on 47.5 percent shooting, which not just anyone can do. This season, his numbers dipped considerably in 11 games (16.0 points on 45.0 percent shooting), but he addressed the biggest criticism against him. Sexton began doing more without the ball, leaving more breathing room within the offense for Darius Garland. He’s quite good and should have a long career if he can get back to 100 percent health-wise.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 13. Cade Cunningham, Pistons
A recent string of elite top-5 picks (Ben Simmons, Zion Williamson, Luka Doncic, LaMelo Ball) left some high expectations on Cade Cunningham’s doorstep. It has been a relatively muted season for the reigning No. 1 pick, but Cunningham’s flashes are elite, and he’s a great deal better than his surface-level production would suggest. The Pistons are bad, but Cunningham is not.
Cunningham is averaging 15.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists on .390/.321/.848 splits. The shooting percentage is an obvious point of concern, but Cunningham got out of the gates extremely slow — likely due to his preseason ankle injury. He has spent the rest of the season rebuilding his percentages and slowly rounding into form. At his best, Cunningham is already a nightly triple-double threat who supplies excellent defense across the positional spectrum.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 12. Tyrese Haliburton, Kings
Tyrese Haliburton started the season slow but has come on strong as of late, really establishing himself as the future of the franchise in Sacramento (barring a trade for a certain Sixers point guard). He doesn’t play the flashiest brand of basketball, but Haliburton’s elite feel and dynamic 3-point range make him an excellent No. 2 playmaker.
For the season, Haliburton is averaging 13.7 points and 7.1 assists while slashing .467/.429/.819 — pretty remarkable when you consider how much oxygen De’Aaron Fox takes up offensively. Haliburton can hit shots well behind the 3-point line, and he’s the connective tissue that holds Sacramento’s (admittedly bad) offense together. Also, Haliburton has made the leap to above-average defender this season, using his length to clog passing lanes and generate turnovers.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 11. Desmond Bane, Grizzlies
Desmond Bane has been one of the NBA’s best shooters from day one. Now, he’s a legitimately complete offensive player. The Grizzlies have watched Bane morph into a real No. 2 scorer — the kind of player who can leverage his 3-point gravity to beat closeouts, make strong backdoor cuts, and make himself involved in the offense far beyond his spot-up shooting.
With averages of 17.5 points and 4.5 rebounds on .466/.420/.896 splits, Bane is the ultimate 3-and-D guard. He’s also the perfect running mate for a player like Ja Morant, who thrives on rim pressure and slicing apart defenses from inside the arc.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 10. Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards was a somewhat controversial No. 1 pick, in part because 2020 lacked overtly elite prospects. There was real concern about Anthony Edwards’ ability to affect winning. He was an inefficient, high-volume scorer in college, and was much the same last season. Until the All-Star break, that is. Over the second half of last season, Edwards emerged, and he has carried that momentum into 2021-22.
For the season, Edwards is averaging 22.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on .443/.374/.802 splits. He and Karl-Anthony Towns are one of the NBA’s best one-two punches offensively, which makes the stark lack of competent play around them all the more heartbreaking. Edwards still has lots of room to grow as a facilitator and defender, but he’s already in rarified air as an on-ball scoring threat.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 9. CJ McCollum, Trail Blazers
Portland’s collapse has naturally coincided with widespread doubts about CJ McCollum’s future with the franchise. Rumor has it he’s viewed as a negative trade asset by some league executives, which is pretty foolish in this writer’s opinion. Even so, it does speak to the dire situation in Portland and the kind of uphill battle McCollum is fighting.
A collapsed lung has kept McCollum sidelined for a good chunk of the season, but he has been productive when healthy. His averages of 20.6 points and 4.5 assists on .424/.393/.700 splits do justice to one of the NBA’s most aesthetically pleasing two-guards. McCollum and Damian Lillard have always overlapped in unfortunate ways, but you can’t go too wrong with a crafty self-creator with McCollum’s knack for timely buckets and strong leadership.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 8. Klay Thompson, Warriors
Klay Thompson only recently returned from a two-year absence, which makes it difficult to gauge his exact placement in the shooting guard hierarchy. That said, you don’t forget how to shoot, and Thompson is arguably the No. 2 shooter in NBA history, behind only his teammate. Thompson’s gravity is virtually unrivaled, and if the early returns show us anything, it’s that Thompson’s general confidence has not dissipated.
In addition to his honey-sweet stroke beyond the arc, Thompson is an excellent wing defender who can handle the most challenging of assignments when given to him. He is the ultimate 3-and-D wing, and the Warriors’ league-leading offense should only flourish further with Thompson back in the mix.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 7. Jaylen Brown, Celtics
For all the talk about Jaylen Brown’s future in Boston, it’s easy to forget just how consistently dominant his play has been. He’s averaging 24.4 points and 6.4 rebounds while slashing .460/.375/.778, which is more than most No. 1 scorers — not to mention the clear second option on a playoff hopeful. Could Brown do more to create for others? Sure, but his constant pressure on the defense is essential to Boston’s offense.
At 6-foot-7, Brown is a versatile and effective wing defender. He can score virtuously at all three levels, with explosive athleticism around the basket and a soft, high release on his pull-up jumper. Brown’s steady arc of improvement over the course of his career has been special to watch. He gets better every year, with new tools in the tool kit. He deserves his flowers.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 6. Zach LaVine, Bulls
Zach LaVine continues to silence his doubters. Last season, he showed people he was a legitimate All-Star. Now, he’s showing people he can lead a winning team. It’s not like he doesn’t have help, of course, but Chicago is the No. 1 seed right now. LaVine is one of the NBA’s purest scorers, blending dynamic athleticism with feather-soft touch, smooth handles, and unmatched body control.
For the season, LaVine is averaging 24.9 points and 4.2 assists on .491/.412/.872 splits. He’s one of the best at-rim guard finishers in the NBA, he can feast from mid-range or from 3, and he’s a talented lead ball-handler when called upon. His weaknesses are few and far between offensively.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 5. Donovan Mitchell, Jazz
Donovan Mitchell’s big moment of arrival was the Bubble, but he has sustained that dominance in the subsequent seasons. He is one of the most electric offensive players in the league, with an unguardable first step and strength that can only be described as unusual for a 6-foot-3 guard. He can get to the rim whenever he wants, and more often than not, he can go right through whoever’s there to stop him. Mitchell’s jumper has also improved drastically since his college days.
Averaging 25.7 points and 5.1 assists for arguably the NBA’s most consistent offense, Mitchell is the main hub for a Jazz team that often feels mechanical in its dominance. With shooters abound and a dominant rim runner at the five, Mitchell is set up perfectly to torch defenses in any which way — pull-up jumpers, pick-and-rolls, drive-and-kicks, at-rim finishes, you name it.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 4. Bradley Beal, Wizards
Bradley Beal’s play this season has admittedly not lived up to this placement on the list, but let’s cut him some slack. He’s adjusting to new personnel, lingering injuries, and the ever-looming impacts of COVID. When healthy, Beal has consistently been among the league’s top scorers in recent years. He’s gifted, simple as that. He’s a springy self-creator, with a deep bag of tricks off the dribble and a buttery jump shot that hasn’t quite found the mark yet in 2022, but should return as the season progresses.
Even in a “bad” season, Beal is averaging 24.0 points and 6.7 assists on .455/.298/.840 splits. He takes a lot of difficult shots and now, in the absence of Russell Westbrook, is once again the focus of every defensive game plan. Those numbers indicate an exceptional player, and they’re nowhere close to what Beal is capable of when at his best.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 3. Devin Booker, Suns
Devin Booker helped lead Phoenix to the NBA Finals last season. Now, he looks even better. His elite spot-up jumper is now joined by an elite pull-up jumper. He’s burying teams with his 3-pointer like never before, all while continuing to come into his own as a ball-handler and secondary creator next to Chris Paul.
For the season, Booker is averaging 23.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists on .437/.409/.871 splits. The Suns are a deep and beautifully balanced team, and it’s easy to look at Booker’s backcourt mate and give Paul all the credit for Phoenix’s success. But Booker deserves immense respect. He’s going to be the face of this Suns franchise for a long, long time.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 2. Kyrie Irving, Nets
There’s a constant humming of noise around Kyrie Irving that is unlike any NBA player and he is only playing half-time right now. You cannot count on great leadership or even consistent participation from the 29-year-old, but he’s also a 6-foot-3 guard who joined the 50/40/90 club while averaging 26.9 points and 3.7 assists last season.
When he’s on the court. When he’s healthy and engaged, not many guards can match Irving’s skill level. He is rightfully considered the most creative ball-handler in the league, and he’s also the best at-rim finisher of anyone remotely close to his size. Irving has a way of navigating defenders that is preternatural, and he’s an elite elite shooter on top.
Ranking NBA starting shooting guards — 1. Paul George, Clippers
Injuries have unfortunately sapped away a good chunk of Paul George’s season already, but he’s still the best shooting guard in the NBA. At 31 years old, George doesn’t get the credit (nor the respect) he deserves. He was a top-3 candidate only a few years ago, and the Clippers’ status as a true championship contender last season centered largely on George’s sustained productivity on the wing, even after Kawhi Leonard’s season-ending injury.
For this year, left to captain a half-healthy ship, George is averaging 24.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists on .421/.323/.880 splits. The efficiency is down slightly, but George is a talented scorer and — with an entire career of data behind him — and elite 3-point shooter by now. He’s also a versatile, All-Defense caliber defender at 6-foot-8, which puts him in something of a unique position on this list.