Per Sources’ 2019-20 NBA season preview continues. I started by giving my predictions on who the Western Conference playoff teams were going to be. Now, we move to my positional rankings. I’ll go through each position and give my opinion/analysis as to who’s in the top-10 at each position. I’ll then cap it off by giving my top-10 players for the new season. After ranking my top-10 point guards, I continue with my top-10 shooting guards for 2019-20.
***DISCLAIMER: Neither Klay Thompson nor Victor Oladipo will be featured on this list due to the extended time they’ll be missing because of their respective injuries.***
#10: Buddy Hield
2018-19 season stats: 82 games played, 20.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.4 blocks, 0.7 steals, 45.8 field goal percentage and a 42.7 three-point percentage.
Within the past few days, Buddy Hield has realized his worth as a player. It seems as if he wants Sacramento to pay him the big bucks. It’s only a matter of if he deserves it or not. Hield is probably going to be the Kings’ second-best player this season. He’s someone who’ll probably need to make the jump in scoring production if the Kings want to make the postseason. His spot on this list should either fall at #10 or #9. He’s not at the level of these other shooting guards just yet.
#9: Zach LaVine
2018-19 season stats: 63 games played, 23.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.4 blocks, 1.0 steals, 46.7 field goal percentage, and a 37.4 three-point percentage.
Zach LaVine only played 63 games for Chicago last season. However, the fact that he put up a solid 24 PPG in those games is something that gets overlooked. He’s more of a dunker, but he’ll need to play some defense too. Although he was injured often, he impressed me last season. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t watch a ton of Bulls’ games considering they’re never on national television. LaVine seems to have established himself as the Bulls’ main guy on offense. If he can mimic the season he had, an All-Star appearance may be in the works. LaVine and Hield can switch spots on the list based on how you feel about both players’ health, but I believe they’re good where they are.
#8: Lou Williams
2018-19 season stats: 75 games played, 20.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.1 blocks, 0.8 steals, 42.5 field goal percentage, and a 36.1 three-point percentage.
Lou Williams is my pick to win the Sixth Man of the Year Award. Some people may doubt that Williams will complete the three-peat, but I don’t. Even though Paul George and Kawhi Leonard will be on the squad, he’s still trusted to carry the bench unit. Also, let’s not forget that Williams is a bench player playing starting minutes. That’s played a huge factor in his case for the award in the past, and it will now. Williams is a certified baller with a skill-set that’ll only improve with the addition of two elite-level players.
#7: Jrue Holiday
2018-19 season stats: 67 games played, 21.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 0.6 blocks, 1.6 steals, 47.2 field goal percentage, and a 32.5 three-point percentage.
We can now consider Jrue Holiday the best player on a young New Orleans Pelicans squad. Will he be the focus of the offense? Probably not with Zion Williamson and JJ Redick (yes, I mentioned him) on the team. It’ll be interesting to see how Holiday keeps up his efficiency while getting the young core of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart better. Holiday can put the ball in the hoop while being one of the league’s best defenders. I don’t expect a better season from him in terms of stats. However, I do expect him to continue to be one of the league’s best shooting guards. If the Pelicans even come close to making the playoffs, Holiday would be a huge reason why.
#6: DeMar DeRozan
2018-19 season stats: 77 games played, 21.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 0.5 blocks, 1.1 steals, 48.1 field goal percentage, and a 15.6 three-point percentage.
DeMar DeRozan had a very solid season in 2016. Since then, he just hasn’t played up to that level. He’s an all-decade performer who’s arguably San Antonio’s best player. The only things that hold him back from being an even better player than he was back in 2016 are his 3PT shot and defense. I understand his inside presence is felt with his ability to finish at the rim. However, he doesn’t crack the top-five on my list. DeRozan has regressed in recent years more than anything. But, I can surely tell you he’s better than the guys behind him. And, while many may disagree with the two of the players I put ahead of him, there’s a good reason for it.
#5: Devin Booker
2018-19 season stats: 64 games played, 26.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 0.2 blocks, 0.9 steals, 46.7 field goal percentage, and a 32.6 three-point percentage.
I don’t want to hear that Booker isn’t a top-five shooting guard because he hasn’t won. He’s on a bad team. Should he be trusted to turn the Suns into a winning ball club? Yes. His talent is rather undeniable. He’s slowly becoming one of the best scorers throughout the whole league. With a player like Booker, all of his numbers translate into him having “empty stats”. But, looking at him compared to a player such as DeRozan, I believe Booker is better heading into this season. Booker is a pure bucket-getter. If the Suns have to win, clearly Booker has to do more. That means being an even better player than he is now. Does winning impact my rankings? Somewhat. But I’ll never deny one’s talent because their team hasn’t won enough.
#4: Donovan Mitchell
2018-19 season stats: 77 games played, 23.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.4 blocks, 1.4 steals, 43.2 field goal percentage, and a 36.2 three-point percentage.
Donovan Mitchell is going to be the first option on what should be an improved Utah Jazz squad. We all know what Mitchell brought to this team since his rookie year. Now, he has Mike Conley as a backcourt mate who will/can be a mentor. Mitchell reminds me of Dwyane Wade when he’s on the court. He can score, play defense, and have a huge impact on the team’s winning. Utah is expecting to contend, and that won’t happen without Mitchell at his peak. As Mitchell is fourth on this list, he has the potential to be an All-Star this season even with the number of stars in his conference.
#3: CJ McCollum
2018-19 season stats: 70 games played, 21.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.4 blocks, 0.8 steals, 45.9 field goal percentage, and a 37.5 three-point percentage.
CJ McCollum is one of my favorite players in the league. Although he’s second fiddle to Damian Lillard at times, he really can be the first option. His scoring and playmaking ability were on display in the bright lights of the NBA playoffs last year. If McCollum didn’t step up as he did, the Blazers wouldn’t have made it to the Western Conference Finals. McCollum is on track to have a career year. He won’t be taking a game off due to “load management” because he can’t afford it. I think the Blazers will have a down year. To avoid that, though, the team will need McCollum healthy and performing for all 82.
#2: Bradley Beal
2018-19 season stats: 82 games played, 25.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.7 blocks, 1.5 steals, 47.5 field goal percentage, and a 35.1 three-point percentage.
Bradley Beal averaged career-highs in all major stat categories last season. With John Wall still recovering from an Achilles injury, Beal is left with little to no support from the rest of the roster. Isaiah Thomas signing with Washington gives Beal a former MVP candidate (despite being a fraction of that version of himself). Bradley Beal is one of the East’s best players and will be an All-Star once again. Due to the load that he has to carry, he may have another career year. Don’t be surprised at anything Bradley Beal does this season.
#1: James Harden
2018-19 season stats: 78 games played, 36.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 0.7 blocks, 2.0 steals, 44.2 field goal percentage, and a 36.8 three-point percentage.
Like Stephen Curry, James Harden is an obvious decision for the top spot. Harden should’ve been the MVP last season, and in my opinion, was robbed. His game-breaking season ended with him touching no type of hardware. What he did gain this offseason, however, was another MVP to play alongside him. Harden won’t average 36 points with Russell Westbrook on his team. However, he’ll remain in the MVP hunt once more. Maybe he’ll be taken seriously if the Rockets have a better record than last season. Harden is a superstar, and there’s not much that needs to be said beyond that. Harden for MVP? Maybe so.
Rankings are always something that warrant many different opinions. The biggest thing I may be berated for here is Devin Booker’s high ranking although his stats don’t translate to wins. Some people would knock some players off this list simply because they don’t win as much as others who could’ve made it. That’s part of the beauty of sports. Let me know what you thought of my rankings, and stay tuned, as I have 30 more players to rank by position.
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