In a previous article, the top five point guards were evaluated. In this edition, the premier players at the shooting guard position are assessed and dissected. With that being said, who are the top five shooting guards heading into the 2024-2025 season?
The Top 5 Shooting Guards Heading Into the 2024-2025 Season
5. Desmond Bane
Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Desmond Bane had his best statistical season in 2023. Bane averaged 23.7 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.4 rebounds. The former TCU guard had to step up in the absence of Ja Morant due to his suspension. The Grizzlies finished the regular season 27-55 but suffered an overwhelming amount of injuries to its roster.
Bane uses his strength and shiftiness to get to the rim while being an elite shooter from distance. However, Bane did play a career-low 42 games last season but expect the 26-year-old shooting guard to continue to improve as the Grizzlies return healthy next season.
4. Kyrie Irving
The 2011 No. 1 overall pick continues to be one of the premier players in the league. Kyrie Irving is widely known as one of the best ball-handlers in the history of the NBA. Furthermore, Irving displays solid passing ability, a consistent pull-up jumper, and elite finishing at the rim. In 2023, Irving averaged 25.6 points, 5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists while having shot 49.7 percent from the field, respectively.
Irving helped aid the Dallas Mavericks to its first NBA Finals appearance since 2011 last season. The 2016 NBA champion will enter his 14th season and his game continues to age like fine wine.
3. Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell had a solid 2023-2024 season. Mitchell, 27, led the Cavaliers to its first semi-final round appearance since 2018. Mitchell averaged 26.6 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds. As a result, Mitchell earned his fifth All-Star selection of his career.
Mitchell is known for his explosive athleticism and is an effective scorer anywhere on the court. The 2017 first-round pick is also a solid facilitator, as he averaged six assists per game, a career-high.
The five-time All-Star recently inked an extension with Cleveland and aims to build off of last season’s success in 2024.
2. Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker has been in the conversation as one of the top shooting guards for quite some time. Booker is fresh off a Third-Team All-NBA selection by having averaged 27.1 points, 6.9 assists (career-high), and 4.5 rebounds.
Booker is one of the league’s best players and is highly prolific as a scorer, especially off of screens. Furthermore, Booker stepped up to be Phoenix’s top playmaker, as he averaged a career-high in assists last season.
The 2015 first-round pick along with Kevin Durant hopes to lead Phoenix to its second NBA Finals appearance within the last five seasons.
1. Anthony Edwards
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards is discussed as one of the future faces of the league. Edwards’ charismatic personality along with his radical playstyle makes him one of basketball’s premier players. Edwards is fresh off his first All-NBA selection (Second-Team) and his second consecutive All-Star appearance.
The 2020 No. 1 overall pick led the Timberwolves to its first Western Conference Finals appearance since 2004. En route to the conference finals, Minnesota knocked off the defending NBA champions Denver Nuggets.
Edwards is known for his fearless attitude and will to compete. Furthermore, Edwards possesses a strong handle (point guard-like) and uses his power to score effectively in the paint. Defensively, Edwards displays superb effort and gives the opposing team’s best offensive player difficulties.
The Timberwolves have their cornerstone piece for the next 10-15 years and Wolves nation believes that Edwards can lead them to the franchise’s first-ever championship.
The Last Word
The players mentioned are the upperclassmen when it comes to the shooting guard position. Bane, Booker, Edwards, Irving, and Mitchell are faces of their respective franchises and they aim to bring an NBA title to their cities.
