Ranking the top 10 point guards as the 2024-2025 NBA season begins

The point guard position is where the action starts on most offensive possessions, so it's always important to lock in on the players who usually have the ball in their hands the most.

We’ll rank the top 10 point guards in the league as the 2024-2025 season tips off. All statistics are sourced from Basketball Reference.

There’s been a lot of talk about the lack of defensive ability Lillard brings to the table, and how it has set the Bucks back in their quest to return to the NBA Finals. While he’s not going to transform into a defensive stopper at this stage of his career, Lillard’s ability to explode on offense still makes him one of the best in the position in the entire league.

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This eruption potential was on full display during the playoffs last year, as Lillard dropped 35 points in the first half of a game against the Indiana Pacers. Defenders still cannot afford to go under screens against the veteran, even if he is over 25 feet away from the basket. He got off to a slow start a year ago, as Forbes noted, but may be more comfortable with the Bucks in year two with the team.

It’s been a little while since NBA fans have seen peak Morant in Memphis. His season was derailed two years ago after being shown on social media wielding a gun. His season never really got going in 2023-2024 due to the league’s suspension and a shoulder injury he suffered shortly after coming back. However, he remains one of the most dynamic point guards in the NBA.

The circumstances that have caused Morant to miss games in the last two seasons shouldn’t hamper him heading into 2024-2025. His trademark explosiveness should be as potent as ever in his age 25 campaign. Former Grizzlies guard Tony Allen told The Athletic, “This is a perfect time for him to come back in the best shape, come back with the best handle, improved jump shot and lead his team to the promised land.”

He doesn’t get the credit he deserves, but Garland has proven to be one of the best point guards in the league. He plays the position in somewhat of an old school way. He doesn’t usually seek out his own offense, which allows his teammates to get their rhythm first. Garland also doesn’t have the same following as backcourt mate Donovan Mitchell, which also keeps him under the radar.

Former NBA guard Jamal Crawford told FanDuel, “I don’t think a lot of people talk about Darius Garland. He is nice. I love watching him.” Getting Garland to be more aggressive offensively could be the next step in his evolution, even if he is somewhat reluctant to assume that role. He’s a career 38 percent shooter from downtown, which is good enough to warrant more attempts.

Fox is one of the toughest players to stop when he has a head of steam. Backpedaling defenders aren’t sure where he’s going to kick it into high gear and blow past them, or take a step to the side that will be too fast to get in front of. Fox has averaged no less than 23 points per game in the last four NBA seasons.

Sports Illustrated wrote that NBA general managers voted Fox as the fastest player in the league ahead of the 2023-2024 campaign. Morant was the only other player that received votes, as the consensus was relatively obvious to NBA executives. The Kings point guard knows what he brings to the table, once telling Slam Magazine online that there’s no one faster with the ball baseline to baseline.

CBS Sports ranked Maxey as the 24^th best player in the entire league in a September 2024 exercise, and it’s easy to see why. They wrote, “After James Harden’s departure, Maxey stepped into the number two role in Philadelphia last season and made the leap from exciting young prospect to All-Star.”

It felt like Maxey’s ascension was even greater than that. He was clutch time and time again in Philadelphia’s first round playoff series against the New York Knicks. It felt like every big shot Maxey took was going in. ESPN wrote in great detail about Maxey’s heroics, especially in Game 5 where he saved Philadelphia’s season.

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Indiana teammate Andrew Nembhard told CBS Sports about Haliburton’s passing ability, “He’s creative. Diabolical in the way he dissects the defense.” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said, “Some guys have the ability to deliver the ball in a way that creates a confidence in the guy they’re throwing it to. Tyrese has that natural gift.”

Indiana has given Haliburton the keys to the car, and they have been handsomely rewarded. He’s averaged over 10 assists per night each of the last two seasons, and led the NBA in that category a year ago. While he didn’t play all that much for the United States during the Olympics, Haliburton had a valuable opportunity to rub elbows with some of the league’s best.

There were many who felt that the Knicks overpaid to get Jalen Brunson in free agency a couple of summers ago. Initial skepticism has turned into fervent praise, as the Knicks point guard has evolved into one of the best players in the NBA. He’s received MVP votes in each of the last two seasons, including finishing fifth in the voting last year.

It’s pretty amazing to watch Brunson operate on the floor. He’s small in stature, but has more strength than people would think. Comedic icon and big Knicks fan Larry David told ESPN, “He’s tremendous. He doesn’t seem athletic in a away, but then he slithers in! And then he kind of does that fadeaway thing, where his back is going backwards!”

Even at 36 years old, Curry remains one of the most challenging players to stop in the NBA. His range and shooting ability have not noticeably diminished in the later stages of his career. All five defenders have to keep an eye on him and their man the minute that Curry crosses halfcourt, which is a lot of responsibility to maintain for an entire game.

When push came to shove for the United States in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Curry was ready to put the hammer down as the team’s closer. He came up huge against Serbia in the semifinals and France in the gold medal game. He still possesses moments of utter brilliance that cannot be taken for granted.

NBA All-Star Paul George said on a podcast that Gilgeous-Alexander is the smoothest player in the league. “He’s easily one of my favorite players. People give me this name for being smooth on the court. That’s Shai. Shai is probably the smoothest player in the league right now. Anything you do, he’s got a counter for it.”

Gilgeous-Alexander is more commonly referred to by the acronym deriving from his name, but M-V-P might be another trio of letters that could be added to his resume. He’s finished top five in the league in MVP voting each of the last two years, including a second place finish in 2023-2024. As the Thunder and SGA enter their prime, the sky could well be the limit.

It’s a scary thought for the NBA. The New York Times wrote last season that the “Mavericks’ Luka Doncic-led offense was always efficient. Now, it’s explosive too.” Doncic feels like the student that received the answers to the test beforehand, who is one step ahead of what is about to come next.

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LeBron James once spoke about Doncic’s unique combination of physicality and skills on The Shop. “His size. I mean he’s gigantic. A 6’8” point guard. He’s 225 pounds. He has the ball on a string. And more importantly, his vision. That’s why I love him.” James also spoke glowingly about how Doncic masterfully manipulates the last line of defense, slowing down or speeding up as necessary.