Taking pictures guard has turn into probably the most ignored place within the NBA, primarily because of the evolution of different positions, which has blurred the normal traces separating positions. Fashionable level guards rating extra, and frontcourt gamers have turn into dynamic perimeter scorers pushed by analytics emphasizing environment friendly shot choice.
Regardless of missing the identical depth of expertise as the purpose guard or ahead positions, taking pictures guard nonetheless boasts a wealth of expertise. Listed here are the highest 5 taking pictures guards coming into the 2024-25 NBA season, introduced in inverse order:
5. Desmond Bane | Memphis Grizzlies
The speedy emergence of Bane, a late first-round choose in 2020 (No. 30), is a boon for the Grizzlies. Although he missed 40 video games final season due to accidents, Bane showcased his scoring chops as a main possibility, averaging a career-high 23.7 factors and taking pictures a good 38.1% from three-point vary. Solely 26, he’s poised for additional improvement.
4. Kyrie Irving | Dallas Mavericks
Many would possibly categorize Irving as a degree guard, however with Luka Doncic carrying a lot of the first ball-handler duties, it is clear Irving is Dallas’ taking pictures guard. Irving himself additionally appears to prefer this place and title.
Irving appeared comfy on this function final season, averaging 25.6 factors and a stellar 41.1% from three-point vary. Though he’s within the higher echelon of guards, Irving did not succeed as a primary possibility (he averaged 19.8 PPG and shot 27.6% from three within the Finals final season), stopping him from breaking into the highest three.
3. Donovan Mitchell | Cleveland Cavaliers
Since he arrived in Cleveland in 2022, he has established himself because the staff’s offensive engine, averaging 27.5 factors over the previous two seasons and a powerful 29.6 factors in final season’s playoffs. Mitchell has proved he can shoulder the offensive load on a playoff-caliber staff. Nevertheless, Mitchell has not made it previous the second spherical of the playoffs, even with elite squads, so he’s behind the 2 different taking pictures guards on this record.
2. Anthony Edwards | Minnesota Timberwolves
Solely 23, Edwards has emerged as a potential “face of the NBA.” In his deepest playoff run this previous season, which concluded with a Western Convention Finals look, he thrived beneath stress, scoring 27.6 factors per recreation and taking pictures 40.0% from three-point vary in 16 video games. With Minnesota transferring on from franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Cities, the offensive reins are actually firmly in Edwards’ arms, permitting him to raise himself within the NBA hierarchy.
1. Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns
Booker stands out for his skill to successfully coexist with one other celebrity expertise (Kevin Durant) — even when which means being a second possibility at occasions — and placing up higher particular person numbers than anybody on this record, even when enjoying out of place.
