Shooting guards are due for a comeback. It’s a position rich in history — think Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade — but has been outshined by other spots in recent years. Heading into 2024-25, the shooting guard role has a handful of legitimate superstars and is filled with depth. There were at least 20 names in consideration for this list. Eventually, we narrowed it down to 10 names. This list consists of offensive savants, two-way athletes, and knockdown shooters. Here are the top 10 shooting guards heading into the NBA season:
10. Austin Reaves — Los Angeles Lakers
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Austin Reaves is living proof that your draft position does not matter. The former Oklahoma Sooner went undrafted in 2021. A year later he’s starting and contributing for a Western Conference finalist. Reaves’ development was integral to the Lakers’ 2023 postseason run. Reaves gained more experience playing for Team USA in last Summer’s FIBA World Cup. In ’24, Reaves played in all 82 games and set career highs across the board. He can score from all three levels and is adept at getting to the foul line. Reaves has a career true shooting percentage (which adjusts for threes and free throws) of .633. The only players in NBA history with a higher number are all centers — Rudy Gobert, DeAndre Jordan, and Nikola Jokić. The former collegiate point guard is also an underrated passer and often guarded the other team’s best perimeter player last season.
9. Alex Caruso — Oklahoma City Thunder
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The Lakers have been excellent at identifying undrafted talent. The previously mentioned Austin Reaves is the most recent example, but the front office in Los Angeles also gave Alex Caruso his first chance in the NBA. Caruso was a bright spot off the bench for the 2020 title-winning team. The fans in LA were devastated when he went unsigned and eventually landed with the Chicago Bulls in the ’21 offseason. In Chicago, Caruso became recognized as one of the league’s most impactful perimeter defenders. He’s made All-Defensive teams each of the last two seasons and has also developed a reliable outside jumper (40.8-percent from three in ’24). After getting traded to the Thunder this past Summer, Caruso will have another chance to make an impact for a contending team.
8. CJ McCollum — New Orleans Pelicans
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Teams miscasting shooting guards is a common theme around the NBA. Due to the lack of a true point, the Pelicans have used CJ McCollum in that spot during his time in New Orleans. McCollum can run the show in spurts but truly shines as an off-guard. The former Blazer is a knockdown shooter among the league’s elite. Since 2021, nine players have averaged at least 8 three-point attempts per game. Only two are shooting above 40-percent on threes — McCollum and Stephen Curry. His play has dipped in the postseason, but adding a true point guard in Dejounte Murray should help everybody in New Orleans.
7. Bradley Beal — Phoenix Suns
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We’ve seen Bradley Beal take a step back offensively in recent years. Remember, Beal averaged over 30 PPG for two seasons in Washington. His scoring dipped to around 23 PPG in his last two years with the Wizards, and then he was traded to a Phoenix Suns team that featured two offensive juggernauts. In his first year with Phoenix, Beal settled into a tertiary role and had one of his most efficient scoring seasons. Beal set career highs in field goals and threes. He can still have a huge offensive game when need be. In a matchup against his former team last year, Beal had 43 points on 16-of-21 shooting versus the Wizards.
6. Zach Lavine — Chicago Bulls
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Injuries plagued Zach Lavine last season. However, let’s not forget what the two-time All-Star is capable of. Lavine is a three-level scorer that can get going in a hurry. He’s had two years derailed by injuries since joining Chicago (’18 and ’24). From ’19-’23, Lavine averaged over 25 PPG on 48/39/84 shooting splits. What’s notable is the lack of a postseason resume. Lavine turns 30 next year and has played in just four playoff games. Maybe this is the year he gets shipped to a contender and finally gets to show off his immense ability on a grand stage.
5. Desmond Bane — Memphis Grizzlies
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The Grizzlies enduring a down year allowed Desmond Bane to showcase more of his repertoire. With Ja Morant out, Bane played more on-ball with impressive results. Bane’s always been an excellent shooter. He’s especially effective at knocking down threes in transition. Last season, he set a career-high with 5.5 APG while maintaining efficiency from every spot on the floor. Bane’s improved playmaking ability will serve Memphis well as they enter this season with a roster ready to compete out West.
4. Jaylen Brown — Boston Celtics
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Jaylen Brown is Boston’s starting small forward due to lineup construction. The two positions are generally interchangeable, and Brown fits closer to the mold of a shooting guard given his size and skill set. Brown was named an All-Star for the third time in 2024. The Celtics are built on players with two-way ability, and Brown is one of the best on both ends of the floor. He was the primary defender against Luka Dončić in the NBA Finals and did as well as anybody could have against an All-NBA talent. Brown’s shooting has been up and down the last few years, but he’s gotten better at not settling for jumpers. He set a career-high in field goal percentage last year at 49.9-percent.
3. Donovan Mitchell — Cleveland Cavaliers
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Donovan Mitchell is staying in Cleveland after signing a three-year extension this offseason. The 28-year-old gets some stability during the prime of his career, while the Cavaliers secure one of the best guards in the league. Mitchell is an offensive dynamo. He ranks seventh all-time in postseason PPG (28.1). Mitchell scored 71 points in a game last season — 55 of which came after halftime. He’s gotten much better at involving his teammates (career-high 6.1 APG in ’24) and has developed into a knockdown shooter.
2. Devin Booker — Phoenix Suns
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Phoenix’s wonky starting lineup forced Devin Booker into an unfamiliar role last season. Booker and teammate Bradley Beal are both natural shooting guards. However, Booker ran the point last year. It’s clear the Suns didn’t want a repeat of that situation as they went out and signed two traditional point guards — Tyus Jones and Monte Morris — in the offseason. Booker can do everything offensively at a high level, but he truly shines next to a primary playmaker. His best years were with Chris Paul when the Suns made a run to the NBA Finals. His scoring could see an uptick next season. With the team hiring Mike Budenholzer to coach, expect Booker to hoist up more threes than ever. He’s more than capable of knocking them down.
1. Anthony Edwards — Minnesota Timberwolves
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It’s been a rapid ascension for Anthony Edwards. He just finished his fourth season and is already widely considered the best shooting guard in the league. Edwards wrestled that title away from Devin Booker after sweeping the Suns from the postseason. The 23-year-old former No. 1 pick was sensational for Minnesota in the playoffs, leading the Timberwolves to their first Western Conference Finals appearance since 2004. He has jaw-dropping athleticism and will eventually grace some All-Defensive teams in his career. Most of all, he’s supremely competitive and gets better every year. Edwards will be one of the game’s best for a long time.