Top 30 NBA point guards — 21. Lonzo Ball, Bulls
Injuries deprived us of what could have been Lonzo Ball’s NBA coming out party. He looked great early in the season, drilling 3s, making brilliant passing reads per usual, and playing like a legitimate All-Defense candidate. He plugs so many holes in the Chicago roster, and his absence was deeply felt. He’s not the most traditional point guard — he’s much more a connective-tissue player than a ball-dominant floor general — but Ball consistently produces positive results in his own unorthodox way.
Top 30 NBA point guards — 20. De’Aaron Fox, Kings
The Kings have some things to figure out after the haphazard and ultimately unwise decision to swap Tyrese Haliburton for Domantas Sabonis. They’re nowhere near contending and it’s fair to wonder if De’Aaron Fox is good enough to play the style of basketball he plays. Even so, the talent is hard to deny and the unfortunate circumstances are not his fault. Fox is still electric attacking downhill, with unmatched speed and steadily improving touch around the rim.
Top 30 NBA point guards — 19. Kyle Lowry, Heat
Injuries have tanked Kyle Lowry in the playoffs and he wasn’t quite the version of Kyle Lowry we’re accustomed to in the regular season. He’s getting old. Even so, his unique brand of cleverness and toughness still impacts winning. Lowry was one of the NBA’s best set-up men all season and he still does all the little things to create advantages for his team, be it diving for a loose ball or grifting for the foul call.