In the past, I’ve written about starting point guard rankings and then Christopher Kline, the former site expert of The Sixer Sense, took over those rankings. Now that Kline has moved on I’m taking over these rankings again and am excited to see where the Philadelphia 76ers starting point guard ranks.
Before jumping into this, it’s essential to note unless a player is projected to miss half or more of this upcoming season, they will be included on this list. With that being written, let’s begin.
30. Collin Sexton, Jazz
There are a lot of questions surrounding the Utah Jazz’s starting point guard spot. However, based on their depth it feels like the job is for Collin Sexton to lose. There’s no question about Sexton’s scoring ability, but his defense and playmaking have much to be desired. It will be interesting to see if the 6-foot-1 combo guard will be able to retain the starting job if he gets it.
29. Jevon Carter, Bulls
After the news broke that Lonzo Ball will likely miss all of next season, the Chicago Bulls signed Jevon Carter in free agency who has the best chance to be their starter next season. The 6-foot-1 defensive journeyman has been a career backup up to this point, but after having a career year with the Milwaukee Bucks, the 3-and-D guard appears to be ready for a starting gig.
28. Tre Jones, Spurs
The only credible threat to Tre Jones’ starting job with the San Antonio Spurs is Devonte Graham and it doesn’t seem likely that Jones loses out to him. Outside of a shaky 3-point, the 6-foot-1 facilitator has all of the skills to be a modern point guard with his playmaking and solid defense.
27. Kyle Lowry, Heat
Let’s be clear, assuming the Miami Heat do trade for Portland Trail Blazers star point guard, then Kyle Lowry won’t be starting next season, if he’s still on their roster. However, despite being a former All-Star, the 6-foot point guard is better served as a backup, but the Heat does not have another better option at this point.
26. Dennis Schroder, Raptors
The Toronto Raptors lost their free-agent point guard to the Houston Rockets and as a result, they signed Dennis Schroder this offseason so that they would have someone solid at the position. Schroder is better as a spark plug scorer off the bench, but the Raptors will have to manage with the 6-foot-3 guard as their starter.
25. Derrick White, Celtics
With Marcus Smart gone and questions surrounding Malcolm Brogdon’s health, the Boston Celtics will lean on Derrick White as their starting point guard. The 6-foot-4 guard is known as a two-way player, but the question is more about his ability to create for others than anything else.
24. Mike Conley, Timberwolves
Mike Conley is one of the older players in the NBA and yet he figures to begin the season as the Minnesota Timberwolves starter. Last season, Conley struggled at times, but the 6-foot-1 point guard can still run an offense and be a big enough threat on both ends to be a problem. However, if he struggles early on, former Philadelphia 76ers point guard Shake Milton could take over the starting duties.
“Former Philadelphia 76ers first overall pick Markelle Fultz has found his footing with the Orlando Magic.”
23. Tyus Jones, Wizards
After being known as one of the best backup point guards in the NBA, Tyus Jones will get his chance to be a starter for the Washington Wizards after being traded from the Memphis Grizzlies this summer. The 6-foot point guard will be allowed full reigns on the rebuilding Washington team and could climb higher on this list.
22. Markelle Fultz, Magic
Former Philadelphia 76ers first overall pick Markelle Fultz has found his footing with the Orlando Magic. The 6-foot-3 point guard has a complete game outside of a passable 3-point shot, if he adds that to his game, he could be in the 15 of these rankings.
21. Spencer Dinwiddie, Nets
Unless former Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons finds his confidence and regains his former all-star form, it’s a safe bet that Spencer Dinwiddie will be the Brooklyn Nets starter. The 6-foot-5 combo guard showed elite playmaking flashes with the Nets after being traded by the Dallas Mavericks last season. Dinwiddie is a solid two-way guard regardless if he starts or not.
20. D’Angelo Russell, Lakers
D’Angelo Russell’s second stint with the Los Angeles Lakers has gone much better thus far. The 6-foot-4 combo guard can play on and off the ball as well as score on all three levels. He’s also solid at running the pick-and-roll which should help the Lakers offense.
19. Fred VanVleet, Rockets
The Rockets were able to get their All-Star playmaker this off-season in Fred VanVleet. Besides being able to run an offense at a high level, the 6-foot-1 guard is arguably the best 3-and-D point guard in the NBA despite struggling with his shot last year.
18. CJ McCollum, Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have a very good 3-level scorer in CJ McCollum. Until a season and a half ago, the 6-foot-3 combo guard was playing shooting guard next to the Blazers star. However, he’s made the transition smoothly. His playmaking and defense are weak points but his ability to run an offense while also playing off the ball is at a high level.
17. Cade Cunningham, Pistons
After being injured most of last season, Cade Cunningham is coming into this season with more complimentary pieces on the roster. The 6-foot-6 playmaker has all the skills to be an All-Star outside of his lack of a reliable 3-point shot.
16. Russell Westbrook, Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers were able to retain future Hall of Famer Russell Westbrook on a team-friendly contract this season. The 6-foot-3 point guard has given Los Angeles a new level of energy that they’ve lacked in the past. It will be interesting to see if Westbrook retains his starting job and that depends on if the Clippers trade for the Philadelphia 76ers starting point guard.
15. LaMelo Ball, Hornets
Up to this point, LaMelo Ball has been able to put up impressive stats, but it hasn’t led to winning with the Charlotte Hornets. However, the 6-foot-7 has a better-supporting cast than in years past, however, the coaching in Charlotte remains a concern. One area that Ball can improve on is his defense.
“Despite the 6-foot-5 guard not being his scoring prime, he’s still an elite playmaker in the NBA.”
14. Trae Young, Hawks
Like Ball, Trae Young also struggles on the defensive end but that has more to do with the 6-foot-1 frame. In years past, the Atlanta Hawks point guard would have been higher on this list, but last season he was very inefficient as a shooter which has hurt him in these rankings.
13. James Harden, 76ers
As of now, James Harden is a member of the Philadelphia 76ers despite asking for a trade earlier this offseason. Despite the 6-foot-5 guard not being his scoring prime, he’s still an elite playmaker in the NBA. It will be interesting if Harden remains at the point guard position next year assuming he stays in Philly due to the emergence of Tyrese Maxey.
12. Darius Garland, Cavaliers
Despite being a part of one of the smallest backcourts in the NBA, Darius Garland was still able to impress last season. The 6-foot-1 point guard is half of a dynamic backcourt that the Cleveland Cavaliers have and should continue to be the Cavaliers’ second-best player.
11. Devin Booker, Suns
In years past, Devin Booker would be a top-five shooting guard, but the 6-foot-5 guard will take the lead guard position this season. It’s because the Phoenix Suns traded Chris Paul for shooting guard Bradley Beal this off-season. Booker could climb higher on this list, but this will be the first full season he will take on the point guard role, so keeping him out of the 10-point seems appropriate.
10. Jrue Holiday, Bucks
Jrue Holiday is still one of the best defensive point guards in the NBA and will continue to anchor the Milwaukee Bucks’ perimeter defense next season. The 6-foot-3 point guard made an All-Star team for the first time being a member of the Philadelphia 76ers 10 years ago. However, there’s little reason to believe that his good play won’t continue this year.
9. Jalen Brunson, Knicks
The New York Knicks stole Jalen Brunson in free agency last offseason and it paid off big for them. The 6-foot-1 point guard played at an All-Star level last season and led the Knicks to the second round of the playoffs. He could make another step this upcoming year.
8. De’Aaron Fox, Kings
The 6-foot-3 De’Aaron Fox helped lead the Sacramento Kings to the playoffs for the first time since the 2005-06 season. Despite lacking a reliable outside shot, Fox has still made himself into one of the best point guards in the game.
7. Jamal Murray, Nuggets
Despite having a slightly underwhelming regular season, Jamal Murray played at an All-NBA level during the Denver Nuggets’ championship run. It will be interesting if the 6-foot-4 guard translates his playoff success during the regular season this next season.
6. Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
One could argue that the Indiana Pacers have the most well-balanced point guard in the NBA in Tyrese Haliburton. The 6-foot-5 playmaker was able to average a double-double, while still being a very good defender. There’s no weakness in Haliburton’s game.
5. Ja Morant, Grizzlies
Despite being suspended at the beginning of the season, Ja Morant is still a top-5 point guard in the NBA. The 6-foot-3 guard’s game compares to a pre-injury Derrick Rose. If Morant can stay out of trouble moving forward, as well as improve his 3-point shot, Morant could move into the top three-point guard tier. However, the Memphis Grizzles will have to rely on Marcus Smart as their starting point guard until Morant’s suspension ends.
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are poised to make a big jump in the standings next season and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) is a big reason why. The 6-foot-6 All-NBA point guard was one of the best scorers in the NBA last season despite not having a strong 3-point shot. SGA might not score as much as a did last season, but he’s still effective on both ends of the court.
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3. Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
It will be interesting when the Portland Trail Blazers trade the future Hall of Famer Damian Lillard. The disgruntled 6-foot-2 superstar had made his request to leave be know, for now, fans will have to wait and see where he will be traded. When it does happen, rookie Scoot Henderson will take over the point guard job for Portland and he will be ranked significantly lower on this list.
2. Luka Doncic, Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks have done a lot to build a solid roster around superstar Luka Doncic this off-season. The 6-foot-7 point guard can do everything at an elite level on offense, but defense is where he’s still lacking at this point in his early career.
1. Stephen Curry, Warriors
There’s no way anyone else but Stephen Curry would be first on this list. The Golden State Warriors’ 6-foot-2 point guard is the best 3-point shooter in NBA history and keeping their core intact this offseason will allow Curry to continue to compete for another NBA title.
Do you agree with this list? Is the Philadelphia 76ers’ point guard properly represented on this list accurately? Comment your thoughts below.