Top 30 NBA point guards — 15. CJ McCollum, Pelicans
CJ McCollum’s arrival spurred the Pelicans’ run to the postseason, establishing them as one of the West’s true up-and-coming teams. He’s the oldest player in the rotation there, but it’s clear McCollum still has a lot to give. His silky-smooth scoring repertoire, combined with underrated playmaking chops and the ability to slide into various roles offensively, makes him central to the Pelicans’ undoubtedly high hopes next season.
Top 30 NBA point guards — 14. LaMelo Ball, Hornets
LaMelo Ball will have to play defense at some point. Perhaps he can take tips from his brother. Until then, however, we will simply have to appreciate his offensive greatness. Ball is one of the bravest passers in the NBA, with confidence and swagger that’s hard to articulate with words. He’s box office, the kind of player who demands League Pass viewings on a random weeknight. He pulls off stuff no one else in the league would think of.
Top 30 NBA point guards — 13. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
OKC’s meticulous rebuild can make it easy to overlook Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s talent, but he’s not producing empty stats on a bad team. He has a truly unique sense of rhythm and pace. He can look awkward at times, even out of control, but he always seems to find himself in a good spot to score. His strides are long, stuttered, and calculated. He’s just hard to properly guard because he doesn’t move like other guards move.