NBA Point Guards: The point guard position has been among the finest in the league thus far in the 2023–24 NBA season. The point guard position is as competitive as it has been in the past 20 years, with a pair of genuine MVP contenders and grittier two-way players who subtly but positively affect their team’s prospects of making the playoffs.
The top 25 point guards in the NBA right now are ranked below in tiers according to their overall impact on success on the court, their season-long numbers and achievements, and their general effectiveness. The only criteria used to evaluate these 25-point guards are their performances in the 2023–24 campaign; historical performance or future potential are not taken into consideration.
Ranking The NBA Point Guards for 2023–2024
Check out the NBA point guards for 2023-2024 below:
Tier 1
- Luka Doncic
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Stephen Curry
The only three NBA point guards deserving of the title “superstar” are the three listed in Tier 1 of this ranking for 2023–2024. The first of these superstars is Dallas Mavericks 2024 All-Star starter Luka Doncic. With 34.2 points per game on 49.2% shooting from the field and a career-high 37.5% from three, Doncic leads the NBA. Along with ranking in the top 20 in assists per game (9.5), he also leads the NBA in rebounds (8.8). Dallas is now 32-23 on the year under Doncic, one game out of fifth place in the Western Conference.
Another strong contender for MVP in 2023–2024 with the Oklahoma City Thunder is Shai Gilgeous–Alexander. In a game, Gilgeous-Alexander leads the league in steals with 2.2, averaging 31.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 6.5 rebounds. After being selected to the All-NBA First Team in 2023, he was chosen an All-Star starter for the first time this season. The Oklahoma City Thunder, at 37-17 and only 1.5 games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves, are among the best teams in the Western Conference because of Gilgeous-Alexander’s outstanding play.
Stephen Curry is, of course, the last player in the category 1 superstar category. Even if his team’s dismal record means that Curry is unlikely to win MVP, he is still performing at a level that both his rivals and teammates find astounding. Curry is averaging 28.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game in 50 games for the 27-26 Warriors. His efficiency, which is at 46.2% overall, 42.1% from three, and 92.2% from the foul line, is even more remarkable.
You might also be interested in reading this: 5 Best Rebounding Teams In 2023-24 NBA Season So Far
Tier 2
- Tyrese Haliburton
- Jalen Brunson
- Tyrese Maxey
- Damian Lillard
- Trae Young
- De’Aaron Fox
In the current NBA, there are several young, rising talents in Tier 2 of 2023–24 point guards, along with a few well-known players. Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, a two-time All-Star and 2024 Eastern Conference starter, will start things off. This season, Haliburton has performed at an All-NBA calibre, leading the league in assists per game (11.7) and scoring 21.8 points on 49/40/85 shooting splits. With a 31-25 overall record and a hold on the sixth spot, Haliburton has the Pacers right in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff battle.
Another point guard who has emerged as a starter in 2023–24 is Jalen Brunson, who had been hovering around the position for the previous two years. In 2023–24, Brunson brought new life to the city as he played for the Knicks, winning All-Star status and averaging 27.6 points, 6.5 assists, and 0.9 steals per game. Due to Brunson’s leadership, the Knicks have managed to overcome their injury problems and have a 33-22 record after 55 games, which is good enough for fourth place in the East.
First-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers is leading the NBA’s Most Improved Player competition. This season, Maxey took over as the starting point guard for the 76ers once more when his old counterpart, who was unhappy, departed town. Maxey, who averages 25.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.0 steals a game on 44.9% shooting, has flourished both with and without Joel Embiid on the court. Maxey has a lot of work ahead of him at 32–22 in order to guarantee the Sixers a better seed in the postseason.
Damian Lillard remains a top-10 point guard in the NBA, despite moving to a new team and location. For the Bucks, who are currently in third place in the East, Lillard is averaging 24.6 points and 6.7 assists per game through 51 games this season. With his three-point crown and All-Star Game MVP this past weekend, Lillard expanded his résumé in 2023–24; nevertheless, he has higher aspirations for himself and his quest for an NBA championship on the road.
Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks is the fifth point guard to grace Tier 2 in 2023–24. Young was chosen as an All-Star as an injury replacement even though he wasn’t initially acknowledged as one and deserved to be there. Young is leading a struggling Hawks team (st 24-31) in 50 games this season with an average of 26.7 points and 10.9 assists per game, which is second in the NBA. Even if trade rumours about him still link him to clubs like the Lakers, Young still turns up and plays every night at a very high level.
Even if the last member of Tier 2 didn’t make the All-Star team in 2023–24, they still had just as much right to be. With an easy top-10 scoring average this season of 26.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, De’Aaron Fox is a point guard. Fox puts the Kings in the middle of the postseason battle for the second straight year at 31-23. Because of Fox’s rapport with colleague Domantas Sabonis, the Kings are considered one of the NBA’s most formidable teams when the playoffs roll around.
Tier 3
- James Harden
- Jamal Murray
- Jrue Holiday
- LaMelo Ball
- Darius Garland
- Coby White
- Cade Cunningham
James Harden of the Los Angeles Clippers is at the top of Tier 3 and makes a compelling argument for Tier 2. Many were sceptical and critical of Harden’s presence in Los Angeles, particularly when they began the season with five straight losses while he was starting. The Clippers have now established themselves as a viable title contender this season, going 33-10 in his games played. At 45.0% shooting, Harden is now contributing to the lead with 17.5 points and 8.4 assists per game.
One of the NBA’s most underappreciated players is Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets, who just finished a 2023 NBA championship run. Murray leads the Nuggets to fourth place in the Western Conference in 2023–24 despite missing 15 games due to injury. Murray averages 20.5 points and 6.5 assists per game, second only to Nikola Jokic. Murray is becoming one of Jokic’s favourite targets for cross-court passes because he is also hitting 41.1% from three on 5.9 attempts.
Another starting point guard in 2023–2024 who fits in well in his new position is Jrue Holiday. Holiday has a lot to do with it personally, so don’t let the fact that he signed with the best club in the East fool you. Holiday leads the team in scoring, rebounds, and assists per game with an average of 13.1 in 50 games. His contributions to the Celtics defence, which is presently third in the NBA overall, have had an even greater influence. A Celtics squad with similar goals is starting to benefit from Holiday’s championship experience as well.
In his 2023–24 season, injuries will likely take front stage once more, but LaMelo Ball’s skill and output on the court speak for themselves. Due to an ankle ailment, Ball has only participated in 22 games this season, but when he does play, he has been outstanding for the Hornets. At the moment, he is averaging 5.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 23.9 points per game. It appears that we will have to wait another season to see what Charlotte can do with him back in full health.
Another Tier 3 point guard who struggled with injury this season was Cleveland Cavaliers’ Darius Garland. Garland has played in 29 of the 53 games for the 36-17 Cavaliers, scoring 18.2 points and dishing out 5.9 assists while shooting 47.1%. The Cavaliers, who are now second in the East, were not harmed by Garland’s absence, but having him back will only increase their chances of being competitive when the playoffs roll around.
You haven’t been paying attention if you think that Coby White of the Chicago Bulls hasn’t been a Tier 3 point guard this season. White is averaging 19.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game on 46.3% shooting from the field and 39.7% from three since taking over for Zach LaVine following his injury. The Bulls are fighting for a position in the Play-In Tournament, and White is a strong candidate for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.
Detroit’s Cade Cunningham is still the starting point guard for the worst club in the NBA in 2023–24, but he’s had a Tier 3-caliber season. Cunningham returned to the court in 2023-24 with a mission, having played in just 12 games in the 2022–2023 season. He is averaging 21.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game on 44.6% shooting through 44 games played thus far. Cunningham has stated unequivocally that he is the cornerstone of Detroit’s future plans.
Tier 4
- Russell Westbrook
- D’Angelo Russell
- Mike Conley
- CJ McCollum
- Fred VanVleet
- Immanuel Quickley
Tier 4 consists of a few bench players and lower-level starters who are nevertheless making a significant contribution to their clubs this season. Russell Westbrook of the Clippers, a contender for Sixth Man of the Year, best suits that description. His 11.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game don’t appear to be very impressive from the outside. He is directly responsible for the Clippers’ incredible 36-17 record because of his leadership on the floor, his enthusiasm each night, and his willingness to assume a bench position.
Because of his excellent play on the court, we seldom ever see an NBA player who is deeply involved in trade rumours play himself out of a move. With 51 games played this season, Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell has experienced just that. With his effective scoring and playmaking, Russell, who is presently averaging 17.5 points and 6.3 assists per game for the 30-26 Lakers, is the catalyst for massive comebacks and late-game surges.
Mike Conley and the Minnesota Timberwolves just signed a $22 million, two-year contract deal. The 36-year-old’s leadership of the Western Conference-leading Timberwolves after 50 games must give them the confidence to keep him for two more seasons. At the moment, Conley’s averages per game are 10.6 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.0 steals. He has been as excellent a defensive player as Minnesota could have asked for, leading the squad to become the NBA’s top-ranked defence.
The New Orleans Pelicans are sitting at 32-22 and sixth in the Western Conference, but not many people are mentioning them. Perhaps that is because, despite having three players who should have been honoured, they sent none of this year’s All-Stars to Indiana. The third member of the group is CJ McCollum, the point guard. McCollum is averaging 19.0 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game on 46.1% shooting for the Pelicans through 41 games.
For the first time in his eight years in the NBA, Fred VanVleet started the 2023–24 season with a club other than the Toronto Raptors. VanVleet, who signed a lucrative free-agency contract with the Rockets, has averaged 16.5 points, 8.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in his rookie year. The Rockets were leading the Western Conference in the postseason race because of VanVleet’s performance and leadership, but their recent struggles have knocked them out of the running at 24-30.
Immanuel Quickley of the Raptors is the last member of Tier 4. Quickley, who is expected to enter restricted free agency this season, has improved since his almost sixth-place finish in the 2023 MVP race. Quickley was traded to Toronto after playing 30 games with the Knicks, where he has shown progress in 20 games. In Toronto’s rapid rebuilding process, Quickley is averaging 16.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game on 40.1% shooting.
Tier 5
- Keyonte George
- Tyus Jones
- Tre Jones
The three-point guards that comprise Tier 5 are presently positioned around the bottom of the top 25, but by the beginning of the next season, they might move up into the top 20. After being chosen 16th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, rookie Keyonte George has surprised the Utah Jazz this season. George is leading the 26–30 Jazz in points and assists per game with an average of 11.7 through 50 games played, 19 of which he has started. Although his performance in 2023–2024 has been notable, his potential is untapped.
One of the very few shining lights on the otherwise lacklustre and poor Washington Wizards squad in 2023–24 has been Tyus Jones. Jones has been a respectable leader for them despite their 9-45 record, averaging 12.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game on 50/42/78 shooting splits. While Jones won’t be a game-changer this season, contenders in need of depth at point guard may want to keep an eye on him given his summertime transfer.
Tre Jones of the San Antonio Spurs is the last player on our 2023–24 point guard tier ranking and the last member of Tier 5. Jones has played in 50 games with 21 starts and has been a respectable 11-44 in his role. Jones has averaged 11.9 points, 7.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game on 53.3% shooting from the field since regaining his starting position in January. In that span, the Spurs have gone 6-15 while using him off the bench has made them 5-29.
These are the NBA point guards for 2023-2024. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
