Top 30 NBA shooting guards — 3. Brandon Ingram, Pelicans
Brandon Ingram’s growth continues to impress. He has taken several massive leaps since his Laker days, becoming not only New Orleans’ best player in Zion’s absence, but a legitimate centerpiece for a potential contender. Ingram does a little bit of everything on offense. His shot is unguardable at 6-foot-9, but he also sets up teammates. He was the Pelicans’ main ball-handler for extended stretches last season, especially before CJ McCollum’s arrival. Ingram plays smart, selfless star basketball. He may officially be the best player from his much-debated draft class.
Top 30 NBA shooting guards — 2. Zach LaVine, Bulls
Zach LaVine continues to thrive at the center of Chicago’s offense, even when sharing the sugar with DeMar DeRozan. He’s an electric athlete, but it’s not all flash. He’s functionally athletic, gliding to the rim for graceful finishes through traffic and decimating defenders with his quick-twitch moves off the dribble. LaVine’s volume and efficiency from 3-point range is impressive, and he has become much better at creating for others over the years.
Top 30 NBA shooting guards — 1. Devin Booker, Suns
Devin Booker staked his claim at the best two-guard in basketball, leading the Suns to the best record in basketball despite CP3’s injury and finishing top-five in MVP voting. Booker continues to add new wrinkles to his dominant offensive repertoire. He can score from anywhere on the court, and he does so with infallible confidence. It’s cliche and normally stupid to give someone the “killer instinct” label, but Booker has earned it. He wants to embarrass his defender, and he succeeds in doing so quite often.