Steph Curry, Chris Paul, Damian Lillard, and others have dominated the NBA’s top 30 point guards rankings for years. Yes, there have been a few changes from last year’s point guard rankings. That is natural as the game progresses. However, one young European guard has emerged as a superstar faster than I have seen any player do since LeBron James.
Where will Luka Doncic rank amount the top point guards this season? Is Kemba Walker a top 10 point guard?
Here are the top thirty point guards in the NBA this season, ranked in the 2020-2021 preseason.
30. John Wall- Houston Rockets
Before you all go whining on our persources Instagram page, this ranking is consistent with all players returning from Achilles ruptures. In addition to the Achilles injury, we have not seen John Wall play professional basketball since December, 2018.
Prior to his injury, John Wall was a top 10 point guard in the NBA. I am pessimistic about his ability to remain healthy and perform at the level necessary to be a dominant point guard in the NBA once again.
I originally left Wall off this list. However, out of respect for his talent and potential, I included him in this list. Houston trading a top tier point guard for Wall will indeed also affect my 30 NBA team power rankings.
29. Markelle Fultz- Orlando Magic
Although the former no.1 overall draft pick never reached his projected potential, Fultz has found himself a home in Orlando. With the Magic, Fultz was able to average 12.1 PTS, 5.1 AST, and 3.3 REB in 72 games.
He may never reach the level that a no.1 overall pick is expected to, but Fultz will remain a productive point guard in the NBA for years to come.
28. Collin Sexton- Cleveland Cavaliers
Figuring out whether Sexton belonged on the top 30 point guards list or top 30 shooting guards list was more difficult than figuring out where to place him.
Collin Sexton has played both guard positions for the Cavaliers. Despite the Cavaliers not winning many games, Sexton has emerged as a very capable guard. He is also ranked the lowest among players averaging 20+ points per game on any of my lists.
The game doesn’t come natural to Sexton. His basketball IQ is not impressive. His decision making is suspect.
He does have room to prove me wrong and climb up this list. Cleveland Cavaliers fans hope he does. My advice would be to trade him to a team with an established point guard already in place.
27. Terry Rozier- Charlotte Hornets
Terry Rozier is a talented and tough point guard with a history of playoff success. Although his experience in Charlotte hasn’t been a successful one just yet, Rozier remains one of the top 30 point guards in the NBA this season.
Rozier’s production will be somewhat limited, considering how many talented ball handlers he plays alongside. However, the addition of Hayward and Ball should make life easier for Rozier.
Hopefully, these additions lead to wins. I mentioned in my top 30 small forwards list that I expect them to.
26. Coby White- Chicago Bulls
If the Chicago Bulls are going to be relevant this decade, Bulls fans better pray that I am right about Coby White. White has shown flashes of high potential in his rookie season with the Bulls.
White is an energetic guard that can push the tempo, score, and make plays. Surround him with developing young talent and the Bulls should have no problem scoring the basketball.
Play a little defense, create fast break opportunities, and maybe the Bulls become a top 10 offensive team in the next couple of seasons.
25. Dennis Schröder- Los Angeles Lakers
I love Schröder as a back up guard. I hate Schröder as a starting point guard. He adds much needed depth and scoring to the Los Angeles Lakers, who are looking to repeat as NBA champions.
His role, and fit alongside James, makes me somewhat pessimistic for Schröder’s production and success as a Laker. I also believe that Lakers fans underestimate the value that Rondo brought to their organization in the playoffs.
Nonetheless, he is a very capable point guard who can also provide valuable minutes to a team that is expected to rest several players this season.
24. Ricky Rubio- Minnesota Timberwolves
Rubio is one of the most gifted passing point guards in Europe’s history. The veteran point guard averaged 8.8 assists last season with the Phoenix Suns.
The Timberwolves made the right decision bringing in Rubio. His veteran presence is a much needed as the Minnesota Timberwolves have an abundance of young talent.
Hopefully the presence of two top 30 point guards in the NBA will lead to some actual winning in Minnesota.
23. Dejounte Murray- San Antonio Spurs
Prior to his ACL injury, I believed Dejounte Murray was a top 10~11 point guard in the NBA. Murray was one of the best defensive guards, who was swiftly developing on the offensive end.
Unfortunately, the ACL injury slowed down Murray’s development. Whether or not he can return to that top tier ultimate depends on his health.
Murray has the ability to swiftly climb up the top 30 point guards 2020-2021 NBA season rankings.
22. Lonzo Ball- New Orleans Pelicans
Lonzo Ball is a triple double threat every night in the NBA. I am a big fan of his. I would make the argument that I’d rather have Ball than Kemba Walker on the Boston Celtics.
However, the hiring of head coach Stan Van Gundy creates a lot of uncertainty for Lonzo Ball.
What offense will he run? How often will Ingram be handling he basketball? Will they Pelicans run a fast paced offense?
If Van Gundy trusts Ball and the Pelicans collectively play better defense this season, Lonzo Ball could climb as high as a top 13 point guard in the NBA this season.
21. Derrick Rose- Detroit Pistons
#FreeDerrickRose
On to the top 20 point guards in the NBA this season.
20. Marcus Smart- Boston Celtics
Every team in the NBA would love to have Marcus Smart, or a similar type player. Smart brings intelligence, toughness, and play making ability to both sides of the basketball.
Marcus Smart loves Boston, and Boston loves Marcus Smart.
19. Malcom Brogdon- Indiana Pacers
Giannis Antetokounmpo will never forget the Milwaukee Bucks for signing Eric Gordon, while letting Brogdon walk the following off season.
18. Ja Morant- Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis’ rookie point guard won the ROTY award averaging 17.8 PTS, 3.9 REB, and 7.3 AST. Morant quickly established himself as one of the best young point guards in the NBA.
Where Morant ends up on this list at the end of this season ultimately depends on whether or not he can replicate the success he had last season. Western Conference teams will be taking the Grizzlies seriously to start the year. In addition to that, they will be focusing their game plans on shutting down Morant.
I am excited to see how well he handles the pressure.
17. D’Angelo Russell- Minnesota Timberwolves
Russell is a talented guard who can play both the point and shooting guard positions. For Minnesota to success this season, Russell and Towns need to run many, many, many pick & roll and pick & pop plays.
I’ll let you guys know within three games whether or not Russell and the Timberwolves will find any success this season or not. Their offensive system will tell us a lot, and early.
16. Spencer Dinwiddie- Brooklyn Nets
Spencer Dinwiddie is a reliable, very talented point guard. Whether he’s backing up Irving, or starting, Dinwiddie can be trusted to deliver. It’s hard not to be a fan of his personality, especially when compared Irving’s.
He may not be as naturally gifted as Russell and Morant, but his continuity with the Brooklyn Nets should enable him to have another successful season. He may drop a bit, but he won’t drop far down the top 30 NBA point guards in the NBA this season rankings.
15. De’Aaron Fox- Sacramento Kings
This one is simple. Fox is very talented. However, the Kings are a mess and Fox’s opportunities to succeed are very few. It will take Fox to be healthy, and the Kings miraculously winning a few games, for him to move up these rankings.
For the record, I’d still have rather Lonzo Ball on the Celtics over Fox.
14. Goran Dragic- Miami Heat
Goran Dragic may not be as naturally gifted as some of the guards on this list. However, his leadership, toughness, selflessness, and high basketball IQ make him one of the better point guards in the NBA.
The Miami Heat have enabled all their players, thus bringing out the most out of them. Dragic’s success last season can be highly attributed to the Miami Heat’s culture, and the addition of Jimmy Butler.
He would not be ranked this highly if he was not a member of the Miami Heat and their tremendous culture.
13. Kemba Walker- Boston Celtics
I understand why Walker has so many fans. He is a very talented scorer and has an extremely high character. However, he struggles vs the 2-3 zone, which is a high school defense.
Walker is also a liability on the defensive end. His injuries haven’t done the Boston Celtics any favors either.
12. Michael Conley Jr- Utah Jazz
For a majority of last season, Conley Jr. did not play like the top 10 point guard we knew in Memphis. Conley is a high IQ point guard who typically makes his teammates better, can score in multiple ways, and provides leadership.
If the Jazz are going to live up to their potential, Conley Jr. is going to need to return to form.
11. Trae Young- Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young is an incredible scorer and passer. He will make a strong argument to be placed on the top 10 NBA point guards this season.
However, he also plays very little defense. Despite his scoring abilities, the Hawks remained one of the worst teams in the NBA last season.
If Trae is going to earn the title of a Per Sources certified top 10 point guard, he is going to need to lead the Hawks to a playoff spot this season.
The top ten.
10. Jrue Holiday- Milwaukee Bucks
I guess one way Young could make the top 10 point guards list is if Holiday moves back over to the shooting guard position. However, the Bucks may need him primarily at the point guard position this season.
Jrue Holiday is one of the top two way guards in the NBA. He instantly makes the Milwaukee Bucks incredibly better, and they were already really good.
9. Kyle Lowry- Toronto Raptors
Kyle Lowry brings toughness, skill, and tremendous leadership to the point guard position. He may not be as flashy as a Trae Young or Ja Morant, but the value he brings to the position cannot be denied.
Lowry is a major reason why the Raptors remain one of the toughest teams to beat in the NBA.
8. Ben Simmons- Philadelphia 76ers
No, Simmons cannot shoot. However, literally everything else he does, he does at an extremely high level. His defensive presence and athleticism creates numerous fast break opportunities for the 76ers. His high basketball IQ enables him to be one of the best passers in the NBA.
With the addition of numerous shooters in Philadelphia, Simmons could finish this season as a top five point guard in the NBA.
7. Jamal Murray- Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are one of the best teams in the NBA and have improved every season. Their success has gone hand in hand with Murray’s development.
In order to experience playoff success, Nikola Jokic being the best center in the NBA was not enough. Jamal Murray had to emerge as a star as well.
During the 2020 playoffs run, Murray put NBA fans on notice with his numerous heroic performances.
Murray brings toughness and tremendous scoring ability to the point guard position. It helps that he compliments Jokic extremely well.
6. Kyrie Irving- Brooklyn Nets
Although I’d rather have 30 other point guards in the NBA than Irving, there is no denying his offensive talent. Kyrie Irving arguably has the greatest handles in NBA history. He is an extremely gifted shooter and finisher.
However, he also has one of the worst personalities in NBA history. He believes he is so smart, that he is failing to realize how disconnected he actually is with the real world.
Irving has yet to demonstrate the ability to lead any team just yet in his career. My doubt in his leadership is why I ranked the Brooklyn Nets so low on my top 30 NBA team power rankings.
He could win a lot of 1v1 games though.
5. Chris Paul- Phoenix Suns
Chris Paul is arguably the best two way point guard in the NBA. His individual game is almost perfect. He is tough, can score, pass, defend, and lead.
Paul is the true definition of an extension of the coaching staff. The Phoenix Suns are expected to make the playoffs for the first time in years, mostly because of the faith NBA fans have in Paul’s ability to get the most out of his teammates.
4. Damian Lillard- Portland Trail Blazers
There is a legitimate argument to be made that Damian Lillard is the most clutch point guard in the NBA. His self confidence is unmatched in the NBA, enabling him to shoot from literally anywhere on the court.
Lillard’s deep threat forces elite defenders to have to guard him before he even reaches the half court line. Years from now, we will be recalling how Lillard evolved the NBA shooting game.
3. Russell Westbrook- Washington Wizards
The easiest way to figure out whether someone actually watches basketball or not, is to ask them their opinion of Russell Westbrook. Westbrook remains near the top of my top 30 NBA point guards list 2020-2021 season for good reason.
Russell Westbrook is a former MVP who is still averaging close to a triple double. He plays with the type of energy and passion that NBA GMs wish all their players had.
Don’t let false public criticism fool you, Westbrook is beloved by his teammates.
Paul George had his best year playing alongside Westbrook. I can’t wait to see what Westbrook can do for Beal and the Wizards this season.
Don’t be surprised if the Wizards end up finishing higher than the Nets.
2. Luka Dončić- Dallas Mavericks
It would take multiple individual articles to properly describe how great Doncic is. I try to never rank young players over established stars unless they truly deserve it.
Luka Doncic more than deserves it. He is a once in a generation superstar. NBA fans, not just Mavericks fans, are lucky to have Doncic.
Luka Dončić is my early favorite MVP candidate.
1.Wardell Stephen Curry II- Golden State Warriors
The 2x MVP returns this season to lead the Golden State Warriors to the playoffs. The Warriors have struggled with their fair share of injuries, which lead them to taking a gap year last season.
With a revamped roster, the Warriors are going to need Curry to be the point guard he is capable of being. Luka is at his heels, but Curry is still the point guard king.
When healthy, Curry is still the best point guard in the NBA.
In fact, Curry has a legitimate argument as the best point guard in NBA history.
Honorable mentions.
LaMelo Ball, Patrick Beverley, and Kendrick Nunn each deserve shout outs. However, the player that deserves the biggest shout out is Rajon Rondo. Although his primary role in Atlanta will be to mentor Trae Young, there is no denying Rondo’s talent.
There are not ten point guards better than Rondo in the playoffs. Leaving him off this list is not a reflection of his skill or ability. It is more a product of what I believe his role to be with Atlanta this season.
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