Photo via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA season is approaching after an eventful free agency period. One of the most talented positions in basketball is point guard. There are many talented point guards in the league, and more are improving every season.
With that said, here are the top five point guards entering the 2023-24 season.
Honorable mentions: Trae Young, Tyrese Haliburton, De'Aaron Fox, James Harden
5. Ja Morant
Despite Ja Morant's off-the-court issues, he is still a top point guard on the floor. Morant averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.1 steals.
Morant is an explosive athlete who finishes with the best at the rim. His playmaking has gone under the radar due to his highlight-reel dunks. He is among the best passers in basketball and is an elite scorer.
Morant is a talented young guard and is going to continue being one of the best point guards in basketball. He has plenty to figure out off the court but is still an extremely talented guard.
4. Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard has been all over NBA news this offseason after requesting a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard has proven to be one of the best point guards in the league.
He's an elite shooter, a great scorer, and a good playmaker. Lillard had a great season, averaging 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists while shooting 46.3% from the field and 37.1% from three.
Lillard's eventual trade out of Portland could change where he ranks among point guards. Throughout Lillard's career, he has been the number one option. Depending on where he is traded, he may stay as the number one option with different talent around him or become the second option on a team.
Regardless, as it stands heading into next season, Lillard ranks as the 4th best point guard.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a career year this past season, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the play-in tournament.
Gilgeous-Alexander is the star of the young Thunder team. He averaged 31.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.6 steals. Gilgeous-Alexander is shooting 51 percent from the floor and 34.5 percent from behind the arc.
The 25-year-old guard can score at all three levels and has proven to elevate his team. The Thunder were expected to be a bottom of the Western Conference team, but Gilgeous-Alexander led them to the play-in tournament.
Gilgeous-Alexander has solidified himself as one of the top guards, earning All-NBA First Team Honors this season.
2. Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic is one of the best players in the league and ranks as the second-best point guard in the NBA. Doncic averaged 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, eight assists, and 1.4 steals.
The 24-year-old guard shot 49.6 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from downtown. Doncic is an elite scorer and playmaker and has shown the ability to elevate his teammates.
Doncic put up great numbers, despite the Dallas Mavericks missing the playoffs. While Doncic must develop better chemistry with his co-star Kyrie Irving, he is still one of the best players in basketball.
1. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry may be 35 years old, but he is still in the prime of his career. Curry averaged 29.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists while shooting 49.3 percent from the floor and 42.7 percent from three.
Curry is the best point guard in the league. He is the greatest shooter in NBA history and is key to the Golden State Warriors being contenders. He has led Golden State to four championships, including a title in 2022.
Curry is a great all-around player and one of the hardest players to guard in the league. He can shoot anywhere on the floor and is a quality playmaker. Curry continues to shine as he heads into his 15th season.
He claims the top point guard spot for another season, but Doncic is right on his tail.
There are many talented point guards in the NBA, but Curry, Doncic, Gilgeous-Alexander, Lillard, and Morant are above the rest.
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