NBA Guards: The NBA’s future appears to be quite bright. A number of upcoming—and occasionally established—backcourt studs are a major factor in this.
Several players have already chosen their All-Star teams, and others will soon compete for those spots. They are some of the best young players in this league, to put it simply. But how can one tell one upcoming artist from the next? That’s what we’re trying to do here.
We’ll restrict the NBA guards player pool to individuals who will be under 25 by opening night in order to level the playing field. While predicting future development requires us to go into more emotional territory, evaluating present productivity objectively is also a crucial step in the process.
NBA Guards Under 25 with the Highest Ceilings in the Ranking
Which aspiring NBA guards will thus have the best opportunities to advance during their careers? Let’s investigate.
1. Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks
Because of how rapidly and how far his career has grown, Luka Doni may soon reach his ceiling. However, this lack of development potential is not as detrimental as it may seem.
The 24-year-old guard still has room for improvement, as we’ll discuss in a moment, even if he’s close to reaching his full potential. Nevertheless, he has raised the bar higher than any other young guard can realistically hope to achieve.
Even if you feel he’s on track to become the greatest player of all time, you might not fully appreciate the scope of his long-term prospects.
Goran Dragic, a fellow Slovenian, described Doni as “playing the game at his rhythm, he is very big, he can shoot, he can pass, he can rebound” in September, according to BasketNews. “… I believe he has a chance to become the greatest player ever.” Although he is still extremely young, if he plays for a long time and stays healthy, I believe that at the conclusion of his career, he may be the best ever.
That is the height of praise and potential, yet it might not be an exaggeration. Doni has a tendency to mishandle the ball (4.0 turnovers per game in his career), isn’t very proficient from long range (33.8) or at the free throw line (73.9), and has a number of defensive weaknesses. Highlighting them, though, seems pointless given how ridiculously dominant he is despite those flaws.
He is a ruthless offensive player who constantly carves up opposition defences with dribble drives, on-point free throws, step-back threes, and two-step-ahead processing abilities. Over the course of his last four seasons, he has averaged 29.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game.
The other players on this list are all aspiring to be great, but Doni has already succeeded. It’s frightening—yet very possible—to think that he won’t improve more than this.
2. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards was selected for his first All-Star game in just three seasons. That’s a remarkable rise for the first selection in the 2020 draught, especially given that he still has room to develop a few finishing touches that would make him a consistent All-NBA honoree as well as an annual All-Star.
In his first season, it was reasonable to question if the 22-year-old may be a better basketball player than an amazing athlete, but he has put an end to that discussion. Even though he only made 35.1% of his pull-ups this past season, he could still improve his shooting, but he has consistently increased his field goal (45.9% in 2022-23) and three-point (36.9) connection rates.
As he pushed and bounced his way to the 14th-most points per game on drives (9.3) this past season, he is already a walking bucket on the way to the basket. His 5.3 free-throw attempts were a career-high, and his downward driving should lead to more whistles in the future. However, things might really heat up if he develops a dependable pull-up shot and sharpens his playmaking (career 3.7 assists versus 2.7 turnovers).
Edwards has two-way superstar potential, though, if he checks those boxes and strengthens his defensive consistency. These are challenging leaps to make, but this rating shows faith in his further development.
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3. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
If you could guarantee that Ja Morant won’t experience any problems with availability in the future, it would be challenging to keep him outside of the top two. Who would take that bet, too?
His high-contact technique and small stature (6’3″, 174 lbs) have always been a danger to his longevity, and this year he has already been punished twice for events that appear to have involved a pistol.
This will be his third straight season missing 20 or more games, and he will start the next season serving a 25-game ban. There are just too many absences for them to be ignored.
The 24-year-old’s towering talent level and capacity to keep getting better, though, are demonstrated by the fact that he can have these availability issues and still come in third place. The most impressive aspect of his game may be his anti-gravity bounce, but the most significant aspect is his ability to direct an offensive attack. He constantly makes things happen, whether it’s by dialling his own phone or arranging for a colleague to receive something on time and on target.
He was named to the NBA’s second team in 2021–2022. In 2022–23, he decreased his minutes played (33.1 to 31.9) while increasing his rebounds (5.7 to 5.9), assists (6.7 to 8.1), and points (26.2 to 27.4).
It is mind-boggling to consider what Morant’s future may include if he continues to play.
4. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton was a lottery choice (No. 12 in 2020), but fame was far from a given. His only distinguishing physical quality is that he is a respectable size (6’5″) for the position of point guard. He is neither incredibly fast nor especially bouncy. Since before he shot his first NBA three, people have been remarking on his unusual shooting technique.
The 23-year-old, though, is coming off the first All-Star season of his career and appears to be booking a tonne more visits to the best pickup game in the world.
Haliburton resembles both a vintage floor commander and a contemporary point guard capable of scoring. He has a thoughtful and creative passing style, and he already knows how to use an NBA defence to his advantage. By making more than 40% of his triples and ranking among the league’s best pull-up perimeter shooters (2.2 makes per game at a 39.7% clip in 2022-23), he has also developed one of the strongest long-distance shooting strokes.
How much further must he go before this rating becomes valid? His athletic limitations can still slightly restrict his potential. He just tinkered with a 50/40/90 connection rate and earned his first season-long stat line of 20 points and 10 assists.
If he isn’t already elite, he’ll become one quickly and could be able to hold onto that position for more than ten years.
5. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
LaMelo Ball was a divisive player even before he entered the league, so this rating might not be accepted by everyone. It’s alright.
Through three NBA seasons, the 22-year-old has seen some volatility, but he has also put up gaudy stats and mouthwatering moments along the way, loudly hinting about his centrepiece potential.
He combines his abilities to dribble, pass, and shoot from a distance unlike anybody else. In his first three seasons, he produced more than 3,000 points, 1,000 assists, 1,000 rebounds, and 400 three-pointers while playing in Charlotte’s less-than-ideal growth environment. The only other player to reach such milestones so early in his career is Luka Doni.
Ball, who has a daring shooting style from his days as a prep superstar, has already surpassed expectations in terms of efficiency. Although his career field goal percentage of 42.6 might be improved, he has made 82.8 per cent of his free throws and 37.7 per cent of his three-point attempts. He might have a 50/40/90 run down the line if he increases the variety of his inside-the-arc shots.
He hasn’t always made the best decisions and hasn’t been the best defender, and both issues are too concerning to rank him higher. However, if he is surrounded by dependable shooters and defenders, this may hide his flaws, play up his advantages, and perhaps put him on a road towards All-NBA consideration.
6. Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
Darius Garland, who is only 23 years old, has already made a name for himself as one of the best NBA guards in the Association.
Only five players—including him—have averaged 21 points, seven assists, and two three-pointers over the last two seasons.
Garland is also aiming to enhance his efficiency (career-high 58.7 true shooting % the previous season) and decision-making abilities (career-low 13.5 turnover rate).
7. Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers
Scoot Henderson hasn’t yet appeared in an NBA game, but the potential is the key here, and this summer’s third-round pick has plenty of it.
Although the 19-year-old reminds me of Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook in their heyday with his bounce and explosion, he is so much more than a talented athlete. He is a fierce competitor who can make plays on defence, create for himself and his teammates, and demoralise opponents at the rim.
This ranking won’t be nearly high enough if he improves his outside shot.
8. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Since both of Cade Cunningham’s seasons have been spent with a Pistons club that is in the process of rebuilding and has little chance of winning, it is difficult to assess him. One of his seasons was also cut short by shin surgery.
Even yet, it’s difficult to resist daydreaming about the 6’6″, 220-pound, 21-year-old’s potential accomplishments.
His career 84.4 free-throw % favours its chances, so if you accept it, then he has a lot of assets and few disadvantages. At his best, he may be a top-15 scorer who also sets the table and plays strong, adaptable defence.
9. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
Jalen Williams, who was chosen with the No. 12 overall choice a year ago and is only 22 years old, already seems to have the makings of an unorthodox glue man.
Although his late-season outburst shows his rise is either feasible or probable, his glue-guy game speaks to his two-way flexibility.
Over his last 19 games, Williams averaged 19.2 points on 54.8/44.4/88.3 shooting, 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.7 steals in 33.6 minutes.
10. Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder
Josh Giddey, a 6’8″ floor general, has the arm skill to thread needles like a master tailor and can spot passing paths that lesser NBA guards cannot.
The 20-year-old’s game has some faults, notably his limited offensive range and lack of athleticism (he attempts only 72.3% of free throws). But in order to find them, you must first search through his growing stock of triple-doubles (eight in two seasons).
So these are the NBA Guards Under 25 with the Highest Ceilings in the Ranking. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
