The 2022-2023 NBA season is upon us, which means it’s time for the rankings. The point guard position is by far the most talented and numerous group in the league, so it’s not easy to decide who the best are. With that in mind, from The SportingNews the top 30 starters of this course will be ranked.
A couple of caveats before we get started: Coaches don’t announce their starting five before games start, let alone in October, when they’ve barely seen their players perform together. These starting lineups for the 30 teams are purely guesswork, but there will inevitably be some that don’t turn out the way they are here.
In addition, some positions can look a bit confusing as the height does not correspond to the actual position and role on the field.
With that said, here are the top 30 point guards for the 2022-2023 season.
Who are the best point guards in the NBA this season?
1. Stephen Curry, Warriors
Curry proved to all the doubters how valuable he really was in the 2022 NBA Finals. He dismantled the best defense in the league to get his first Finals MVP.
Steph is the best shooter of all time, and the Warriors’ offense relies on the attention he commands on the floor. He has also improved defensively throughout his career. On the other hand, he is very consistent in executing the Warriors’ plans.
He’ll go down in history as one of the all-time greats, and entering his age-34 season, he still has a few years of top-level production ahead of him.
2. Luka Doncic, Mavericks
After a rough start last season, Doncic took his numbers to the top down the stretch of the season. He joined Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook as the only players in NBA history to average at least one 28 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists per game.
The Slovenian improved his game significantly in the playoffs, leading the Mavericks to a stunning appearance in the Western Conference Finals. It’s only a matter of time before Doncic wins his first MVP.
3. Trae Young, Hawks
Young was one of the most productive offensive players in the league last season. He did everything for the Hawks in that regard, leading their second-best offense while averaging 28.4 points and 9.7 assists a night.
However, his defense remains problematic and was worn down in the first round series against Miami Heat. The integration of Jude Murray it will help cover some of those weaknesses and make Young even better this season.
4. James Harden, 76ers
Harden had a pretty bad year by his standards last season. Still, he remained an All-Star-level, average talent 22.0 points, 10.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game.
The base seems to be more motivated this season. He voluntarily took a pay cut to help the Sixers make a title run and remains an elite offensive coordinator.
5. Ja Morant, Grizzlies
Morant made his first appearance on el All-Star last season, helping lead the Grizzlies to a record 56 wins.
No one has been more electric in his starts than the point guard, who led the league in points and was the only coach to be ranked in the top 10. The star will rise in this list as you gain more experience and continue to improve.
6. Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
Lillard had a nightmare 2021-22 season, cut short after 29 games due to an abdominal injury. His shooting really struggled: he made just 32.4% of his three-pointers, a career low.
give me he is still only 32 years old, and its release should reappear after a long hiatus. He was a top 10 or top 15 player before the injury. It’s far from over.
7. Chris Paul, Suns
“The Point God” He was one of the most important players in the league last season and remains a pick-and-roll artist. His mid-range game is unstoppable and he can still put up easy points at the free throw line thanks to his intelligence.
However, Paul lost his impact in one on one. He was the Mavericks’ target in the West Semifinals and had trouble standing up to others at his position. Nonetheless, remains an excellent defensive helper and is able to get his hands on the ball for steals.
8. Junior Holiday, Bucks
This may be too low for holidays that have been systematically undervalued. He is arguably the best defender in the league, capable of guarding multiple positions due to his excellent technique and strength.
Holiday is also a solid second or third option offensively. He averaged 18.3 points and 6.8 assists for the Bucks last season.
9. Darius Garland, Cavaliers
Garland was the best player that almost nobody paid attention to. After a rocky start to his career, he became an offensive force, averaging 21.7 points and 8.6 rebounds for a surprisingly good Cavaliers.
The young man has become an excellent shooter, hitting it 38.3% of his 3-pointers and 89.2% of his free throws. His game vision is also excellent and his stock will continue to rise as he gains more recognition across the board.
10. Kyrie Irving, Nets
Irving continued to be very efficient when he did play, having 50- and 60-point games and shooting a career-high 41.8% from 3.
This warning “when he was playing”It’s important. Irving showed up solo 29 duels due to his refusal to be vaccinated. He has also battled injuries for much of his career, averaging fewer than 56 games per season over 11 years.
There’s no doubting his offensive talent, but there’s legitimate concern about how often Kyrie can be on the floor.
11. LaMelo Ball, Hornets
Ball made his first All-Star appearance last season, displaying unbridled creativity on offense. With new coach Steve Clifford at the helm, he is expected to improve at the back.
12. Jamal Murray, Nuggets
Murray will finally return from a devastating ACL injury in his knee that kept him out all of last season. He always seems to have an extra one in store for the playoffs.
13. Fred VanVleet, Raptors
VanVleet may not have the manufacturing ability of some of the other names on this list, but he is one of the best defenders around. It is a machine that forces change and is tough as nails.
14. Marcus Smart, Celtics
Smart, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, is the toughest competitor possible. He’s not a great shooter, but he seems to hit a lot of big threes.
15. De’Aaron Fox, Kings
Fox stepped up his game when the Kings traded for Tyrese Haliburton and gave him more control on offense. He should continue to improve playing alongside Domantas Sabonis.
16. CJ McCollum, Pelicans
McCollum remains a cult scorer. He averaged 24.3 points per night for the Pelicans last season and provided a veteran presence in the locker room.
17. Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
Haliburton is a mind that reads and understands the court on both offense and defense. He is also a threat from distance, he just needs to be a bit more aggressive as a scorer.
18. Lonzo Ball, Bulls
Ball was one of the key catalysts for the Bulls’ surprising team before the All-Star break. He knows how to defend, shoots very well from three and is one of the best transition passers in the league. However, the health of his knees remains a big question mark and he is expected to miss. “at least a few monthsaccording to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
19. Jaylen Brunson, Knicks
Branson’s old school game is fun. Play with a rare combination of power and elegance.
20. Russell Westbrook, Lakers
Westbrook averaged very good 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists last season, but was ineffective on offense. His jump shot has completely abandoned him and he hasn’t put in much effort on defense. New Lakers coach Darwin Hamm envisioned a better role for him on offense. Accepting this will be key.
21. Kyle Lowry, Heat
Lowry is still a very interesting player. But at his size and 36 years of age, he’s not in the fray enough to make much of an impact. He played in just 63, 46 and 58 games over the past three seasons.
22. Mike Conley, Jazz
Conley is another very solid veteran whose game has started to slip with age. Once one of the best defensive point guards in the league, he took a step back from this side.
23. D’Angelo Russell, Timberwolves
Russell has become a better defender with the Timberwolves, but he’s gone for much of the playoffs.
24. Cade Cunningham, Pistons
After a rough start, Cunningham had an outstanding second half of his rookie season. Being down here is just a formality, you’ll get to the top.
25. Josh Giddy, Thunder
Like Cunningham, Giddey is here solely because of his age. He has a great vision for the game and should improve over time.
26. Monte Morris, Magicians
Morris isn’t much of a playmaker, but he’s a solid point guard who rarely makes mistakes.
27. Reggie Jackson, Clippers
Jackson has shown he knows how to play in the Playoffs, though it remains to be seen if it will be John Wall or he who ends up in the starting role.
28. Kevin Porter Jr., Rockets
Young Porter is a huge offensive talent, but has proven to be wildly inconsistent on both ends.
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29. Markelle Fultz, Magic
The former No. 1 pick no longer has superstar aspirations, but has become a very good role player who creates for others.
30. Trey Jones, Spurs
It’s unclear whether Jones will start for the Spurs in this rebuild, but he should probably play on his merits. He is a good passer and defender who played well as a starter last season.
