The 2024-2025 NBA season is swiftly approaching. The NBA’s talent pool is as deep as ever. Analyzing the top 10 NBA point guards for the 2024-2025 preseason rankings was more difficult than ever. The NBA has so much depth at the point guard position. It’s also difficult to determine who should be on this list vs the upcoming shooting guard rankings. Guys like Kyrie Irving are thought of as point guards, but have been playing shooting guard for years. Chances are, if you favorite point guard isn’t on this list, you’ll find them on the shooting guard list.
Here are the top 10 NBA point guards for the 2024-2025
1. Luka Dončić – Dallas Mavericks
Luka Dončić is that once in a generation level talent. If he wasn’t on your top 2 NBA player list last season, he certainly will be this season. At just 25 years of age, Dončić managed to carry the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA finals. The Mavericks’ path was not easy, yet Dončić managed to outshine any star put against him in the western conference.
Dončić is a ball dominant guard who does it all for the Mavericks. In 70 games last season, Luka Dončić averaged 33.9 PTS, 9.8 AST, 9.2 REB, 1.4 STL, on .487 FG% and .382 3P%.
Should Dončić experience similar success this season, with a little luck on the health side, he could be the 2024-2025 NBA MVP. Luka Dončić once again lands at no.1 on the top 10 NBA point guards preseason rankings for the 2024-2025 season.
2. Steph Curry – Golden State Warriors
When it comes to basketball brilliance, arguably no one in NBA history can outshine Steph Curry. Having just added an Olympic gold medal to his resume, Wardell has done it all. Very few can carry games and electrify the arena like the Chef.
However, the 2024-2025 season brings many questions related to the Golden State Warriors that we haven’t asked in over a decade. The roster wasn’t meshing well last season, how is that going to improve in the absence of Klay Thompson? What enabled Steph Curry to be at the top of our top 10 NBA point guard rankings for years was how easy flowing the Golden State offense was, paired with Steph’s incredible talent.
Asking Curry to do it all at 36 years of age risks him dropping on this list. It’s up to Kerr to solve this one.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder
Nibbling at the heels of the no.2 spot of the top 10 point guards rankings is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Shai is one of the NBA’s most popular players for good reason. His bag is deep and he is fun to watch. His excellence & leadership helped turn the Thunder into an elite basketball team. With a young core around him, Shai is expected to continue his individual success which puts him in position to be a favorite for the 2024-2025 NBA MVP.
Many of you will argue that Shai is better than Curry and Doncic. I personally weigh near past and expected future performances into the equation when putting together my top 10 NBA point guard rankings. The reality is, Shai hasn’t been able to beat Doncic when it matters just yet. He is going to need to do that and more to move up to the top spot.
There is no denying Shai’s greatness, but I believe he is a little overrated. Some people even think he’s the best player in the NBA. One good season isn’t enough for me. Let’s see what the 2024-2025 NBA season brings for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder
4. Jalen Brunson – New York Knicks
At every possible angle you look at it, Jalen Brunson deserved to be recognized as one of the best guards in the NBA. Jalen’s leadership and excellent guard skills landed him ranking higher than more appreciated stars like Damian Lillard.
At 28 years of age, Brunson lead the Knicks to a second place finish in the eastern conference, despite working with a very injured roster all season. He did so with tremendous efficiency as well. Brunson averaged 28.7 PTS, 6.7 AST, 3.6 REB, on .479 FG% & .847 FG%, all while being healthy enough to play 77 games.
Jalen Brunson isn’t the flashiest, most athletic, or most exciting player to watch. However, anyone who knows basketball, knows how great of a point guard Jalen Brunson truly is.
5. Tyrese Maxey – Philadelphia 76ers
With James Harden out of the way, NBA fans were able to discover what I already knew, Tyrese Maxey is a stud. Maxey’s speed and grit rivaled by very few in the NBA. He continues to shine despite being in a system that isn’t designed for him like the guys above him on the list. At just 23 years of age, Maxey is only going to improve. I expect Maxey to show us even more of what he can do in the 2024-2025 NBA season.
6. Damian Lillard – Milwaukee Bucks
Damian Lillard was ranked 3rd on my top 10 point guard rankings for many years. He’s always been a brilliant scorer. When Lillard is on, he’s still a top tier point guard in the NBA. However, Lillard’s performance has been in decline for several seasons as his nagging injuries continue to haunt him. Being in a new system and team in the Bucks hasn’t helped him either.
Lillard failed to get comfortable with his new team and his lack of efficiency showed for it. While there is no denying Lillard’s talent, his chemistry and fit with the Bucks will determine if Lillard can return to form, or drop down the list of top 10 NBA point guards.
7. Ja Morant – Memphis Grizzlies
There are many questions related to Ja Morant. Due to his maturity issues and injuries, we really haven’t seen Ja in proper form in what feels like forever. However, we haven’t forgotten just yet how gifted Morant is when he’s having fun, healthy, and focused on the game of basketball.
I’m hoping he has improved on his shooting so he doesn’t have to rely strictly on his athleticism this season. The world needs to remember who Ja Morant is and only Morant can remind us of that.
8. Trae Young – Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young vs Tyrese Haliburton is an interesting debate. Both are young offensive juggernauts who play zero defense and have offenses built around them. last season, Haliburton was clearly the better player. However, I’m oddly optimistic for Young this season. He can score with the best of them and is a gifted facilitator as well.
He Hawks need a bounce back season and have made many adjustments to try and put Young in a position to once again flourish. At 25 years of age, Young is approaching his prime seasons. I expect to see a bounce back year from Trae.
9. Tyrese Haliburton – Indiana Pacers
Haliburton put the league on notice last season, leading one of the greatest offenses in NBA seasons with the Indiana Pacers. He’s a gifted scorer, league leading facilitator, and one of the most fun players to watch. If he improves upon last season, he will quickly climb the top 10 NBA point guard rankings for the 2024-2025 season.
Haliburton was better than half the guys above him on this list. However, I need to see a little more from him because at their best, they were better than Haliburton. Keep in mind that Haliburton is only 24 years of age and continues to improve year after year.
10. Jamal Murray – Denver Nuggets
Murray is as talented as anyone on this list, but hasn’t had the health on his side to allow him to show that. Murray is one of the NBA’s best scorers and most clutch players when it matters most. He has that killer instinct. He can score on anyone and everyone.
I’ve kept many excellent point guards off this list because I believe in Murray’s present attributes, as well as his potential. He has another level he can rise to, I just know it.
For the Nuggets to win another title, they’re going to need Murray to be healthy and taking some pressure off of Jokic.
Honorable Mentions
The NBA is so deep that I feel guilty about some of the guys I left off this list. James Harden is top tier in flashes, but not the same guy he used to be night in & night out. De’Aaron Fox and DeJounte Murray are excellent point guards who need to show me more. Josh Giddey could be the league’s most improved player with his new team. Fred Van Vleet and Chris Paul have excellent resumes. Cade Cunningham could quickly climb this list. Darius Garland deserves recognition. One healthy season of LaMelo Ball could change everything.
Summarizing my thoughts on the NBA’s top point guards
The NBA point guard is as critical of a role as it ever was. Point guards are still extensions of their coaches, while also expected to score at a high level. Some guards have entire offenses built around them, while others have to fit in. Yet, in both instances, great point guards continue to shine.
What are your thoughts on my top 10 NBA point guard rankings for the 2024-2025 season? Let me know!