Thus far this offseason, I’ve written about starting point guard rankings, so it seems only appropriate that shooting guard is the next position I write about next. There’s a good chance that most Philadelphia 76ers fans will like where Tyrese Maxey ranks on this list.
30. Gary Harris, Magic
The Orlando Magic don’t have very many veterans, but 6-foot-4 guard Garry Harris is one of them. Harris fits the mold of a 3-and-D wing and unless Jalen Suggs takes a leap or rookie Anthony Black shines, it’s fair to assume that Harris at least begins the season as the team’s starter. Harris might be put on the trade block if that happens to open up playing time for the younger players.
29. Quentin Grimes, Knicks
Quentin Grimes is the defacto fifth starter for the New York Knicks and filled in well as a 3-and-D wing. The 6-foot-5 wing had a quietly good season last year despite having the share the limelight with the other stars in New York.
28. Terry Rozier, Hornets
Let’s be clear, Terry Rozier might be a 20-plus per game scorer, but based on his skill set, he’d best be used as a scoring spark coming off the bench. However, with Gordon Hayward being past his prime, James Bouknight struggled as a rookie, and Nick Smith Jr. being an unproven rookie so the 6-foot-1 scorer appears to have the job on lockdown for now.
27. Grayson Allen, Bucks
As the Milwaukee Bucks’ defacto fifth starter, the franchise doesn’t need too much from Grayson Allen. All they need for the 6-foot-4 guard to do is continue to be the effective 3-and-D wing he was last season. If he does, there’s no reason why he won’t continue to start.
26. Kevin Huerter, Kings
The Sacramento Kings stole Kevin Huerter in a trade last offseason and it paid off big for the franchise. Huerter is more than just a 3-and-D wing as the 6-foot-7 shooting guard is also a heat check player who can go off scoring any given night.
25. Bennedict Mathurin, Pacers
After being one of the better sixth men in the NBA last season as a rookie, there’s little reason why the Indiana Pacers shouldn’t start Bennedict Mathurin next season. The 6-foot-6 guard is pretty one-dimensional in terms of his overall game, but there’s no denying he’s a very good three-level scorer.
24. Jaden Ivey, Pistons
Jaden Ivey had a very good rookie season with the Detroit Pistons, but there are areas for him to improve. The 6-foot-5 combo guard’s best skills are his scoring and playmaking, both areas need improvement if he wants to live up to his lottery selection. If he does, then the Pistons have a chance to start winning more games.
23. Herbert Jones, Pelicans
There’s no denying that Herbert Jones is one of the best defenders in the NBA, but a lack of a consistent out has held him back in terms of getting more minutes with the New Orleans Pelicans. If the 6-foot-8 wing can improve his outside shot then there are no issues, but if not then Trey Murphy III could potentially take his spot.
22. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Nuggets
It’s hard to believe that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has not just one but two NBA titles. This second one came with the Denver Nuggets this past season. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard has established himself as one of the better 3-and-D wings in the NBA.
21. Jordan Clarkson, Jazz
It appears that the former Sixth Man of the Year has become the full-time starting shooting guard with the Utah Jazz. The 6-foot-4 is a score-first type of player and a veteran leader on the rebuilding Jazz. It doesn’t hurt he had a career-high scoring this past season.
20. Jordan Poole, Wizards
Despite scoring a career-high in points with the Golden State Warriors last season, it wasn’t a good season for Jordan Poole. Due to chemistry issues among other things, Poole was traded to the Washington Wizards this summer. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard might put up big numbers next season, but it probably won’t contribute to winning.
19. Anfernee Simons, Trail Blazers
It feels like Anfernee Simons won’t be a member of the Portland Trail Blazers for the long term, but for now, it appears that he will probably start for them in the meantime. The best role for the 6-foot-3 guard will probably be as a sixth man, but until something changes in Portland it’s fair to expect Simons to continue to start with Shaedon Sharpe or Scoot Henderson being their other options at the two guard position.
18. Austin Reaves, Lakers
Austin Reaves had a breakout season with the Los Angeles Lakers last season and was rewarded with a new contract this offseason. The undrafted 6-foot-5 wing has made himself into a legit three-level score and legit third option scoring on a contending team. Hopefully, he can continue his development from last season.
17. Jalen Green, Rockets
The Houston Rockets are ready to start winning and it will greatly depend on the development of former second overall pick Jalen Green. The 6-foot-4 guard has been a volume scorer up to this point in his career. However, Houston will need him to improve his efficiency and impact the game in other areas if they are going to start winning.
16. Devin Vassell, Spurs
There’s no doubt that the San Antonio Spurs were happy to see Devin Vassell take a big jump in his third year last season. The 6-foot-5 wing is more than just a 3-and-D wing now and he’s going to be key to building future success. He has the potential to go even higher on this list.
15. Luguentz Dort, Thunder
It will be interesting to see if Luguentz Dort will be the Oklahoma City Thunder’s fifth starter or if center Jaylin Williams will be. However, I’m banking on the 6-foot-3 shooting guard claiming that spot and that’s why the elite perimeter defender is on this list. If not, the Thunder will have an elite 3-and-D wing coming off the bench.
14. Tyler Herro, Heat
Unless a trade for Damian Lillard happens, it appears that Tyler Herro will be the starting shooting guard for the Miami Heat. The 6-foot-5 is a former sixth man of the year and upper tier 3-level-scorer. Whether it be for the Heat or another team, Herro will be an elite shooter.
13. OG Anunoby, Raptors
On most other teams OG Anunoby would be a small forward, but for the Toronto Raptors, he’s their shooting guard. The 6-foot-7 wing is an elite defender who’s more than just a 3-and-D scorer. Anunoby could reach All-Star status if he was in the right situation.
12. Tyrese Maxey, 76ers
The Philadelphia 76er have a young rising star Tyrese Maxey who has yet to reach his true potential. If the Sixers want to help the 6-foot-2 guard reach his true potential, then they might want to switch him to point guard and develop his playmaking more.
11. Dejounte Murray, Hawks
On other teams, Dejounte Murray would be a point guard, but the 6-foot-4 playmaker is a shooting guard for the Atlanta Hawks. Murray struggles as a shooter, but outside of that is an elite two-way guard. It will see if his shooting improves in year two of being a shooting guard.
10. Klay Thompson, Warriors
Future Hall of Famer Klay Thompson is one of the best 3-point shooters in NBA history, but the 6-foot-6 guard appears to be past his prime. That being written, Thompson is still a near All-Star-level offensive player and the biggest drop-off in his game has been on the defensive end.
9. Desmond Bane, Grizzlies
Desmond Bane received a well-deserved rookie max extension from the Memphis Grizzlies this summer. The 6-foot-5 sharpshooter is the second-best player on the Grizzlies and still has room to grow as a two-way player.
8. Zach LaVine, Bulls
It would be nice if the Philadelphia 76ers could land the Chicago Bulls’ All-Star Zach LaVine in a trade. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard is an elite three-level scorer and athlete who’s won two Slam Dunk contests.
7. Mikal Bridges, Nets
It still hurts that the Philadelphia 76ers traded Mikal Bridges on draft night for Zhaire Smith. Bridges was already starting to break out with the Phoenix Suns last season before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. That’s when the 6-foot-6 wing came into his own as an elite two-way wing.
6. Bradley Beal, Suns
Bradley Beal was traded by the Washington Wizards to the Phoenix Suns this past offseason to help create a “Big 3”. The 6-foot-4 guard is an elite three-level scorer who’s an underrated playmaker. If he wants to succeed in Phoenix he should try to model his game like Ray Allen did with the Boston Celtics 15 years ago.
5. Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
Like Bane, Anthony Edwards also received a rookie max extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The two-way guard has improved his game every season and it’s become clear that the 6-foot-4 guard is the face of the franchise moving forward.
4. Kyrie Irving, Mavericks
Like others on this list, Kyrie Irving would also be a point guard on most other teams, but with the Dallas Mavericks having Luka Doncic, it’s okay for Irving to be a shooting guard. The 6-foot-2 guard is an elite three-level scorer, playmaking, and closer, which should be an ideal Robin to Doncic’s Batman.
3. Paul George, Clippers
Paul George is out of position playing shooting guard for the Los Angeles Clippers standing at 6-foot-8. However, George might even be higher on this list due to his talent, but health concerns are holding back the veteran at this point in his career.
2. Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers
Donovan Mitchell was everything that the Cleveland Cavaliers traded their future for last off-season. The 6-foot-1 guard can do everything scoring the guard one could ask for but last season he actually competed on the defensive end.
1. Jaylen Brown, Celtics
It’s no surprise that the 6-foot-6 Jaylen Brown claims the top spot on the shooting guard spot. The Boston Celtics have an elite two-way wing that would be the best player on most other teams, just not his own.
Do you agree with these rankings? Was the Philadelphia 76ers shooting land where he was supposed to in these rankings? Comment below with your thoughts.