The shooting guard position has always consisted of all-time great players. The very best shooting guards have won individual achievements, team achievements, and have made a mark in NBA history. We have seen how superstar shooting guards such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade win championships for their franchise and remain some of the game’s greatest NBA players.
Today, we have more than a handful of dominant shooting guards that can influence a game with their skill and talent. To determine which shooting guards are truly the best in the NBA, we have ranked the top scorers and all-around players across the league. Here are all the NBA’s greatest shooting guards, ranked from 10-1.
Honorable Mention
Victor Oladipo
2019-2020 Statistics: 14.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 31.7% 3-PT FG
Victor Oladipo deserves a mention because he is one of the best players on an Indiana Pacers team that makes the playoffs every year in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers are always a tough team to beat, and the defense and scoring ability of Victor Oladipo is a big reason for that.
Oladipo has blossomed into a go-to scorer and even a solid playmaker during his time with the Pacers. Oladipo is very effective in the pick n roll and can normally get points on the board when guarded by one defender. The shooting guard is also one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and he just misses the top-10 list entering the 2021 season.
10. Tyler Herro
2019-2020 Statistics: 13.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.6 SPG, 38.9% 3-PT FG
Miami’s Tyler Herro sneaks into the top-10 shooting guard list despite only playing one full season in the NBA. Herro immediately proved his worth as a rookie, finishing as arguably the third-best player for a team that made the NBA Finals. Herro is tough, doesn’t back down from anyone, and has a killer scoring gene. Herro doesn’t mind taking big shots, and with his shooting, he can make many of them.
Herro will improve his game during this season, which will take him to one of the 10 best shooting guards in the league. Herro’s potential is unbelievable and he will soon climb the rankings as one of the most dominant shooting guards in the world as he matures.
9. D’Angelo Russell
2019-2020 Statistics: 23.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, 34.5% 3-PT FG
D’Angelo Russell has played on 3 teams so far in his young NBA career, but he has found a franchise to be a star in with Minnesota. Russell will most likely play shooting guard for the Wolves and will prosper as a scorer and playmaker for the promising young team.
Russell is a very talented guard and should be a franchise player for the Timberwolves. He has the total package on offense including a natural ability to attack the rim and score outside. Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns are quite the duo, and the signing of Anthony Edwards makes the Timberwolves a team to watch for sure. If Russell can become an All-Star this year, we might be seeing the beginnings of a very dominant player in the NBA very soon.
8. DeMar DeRozan
2019-2020 Statistics: 22.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 25.7% 3-PT FG
DeMar DeRozan’s statistics look decent on paper, but his impact for the San Antonio Spurs hasn’t quite been there. DeRozan is a great scorer and can be effective when his team needs a bucket, but he doesn’t possess the natural talent to be a franchise star. Still, DeRozan has improved his all-around play and is one of the 10 best shooting guards in the league.
A few years ago with the Raptors, DeRozan would probably rank closer to the top-5. But he will enter the 2021 season as the 8th ranked shooting guard in the league with a chance to either lead the Spurs to the playoffs or find himself on another team.
7. Zach LaVine
2019-2020 Statistics: 25.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 38.0% 3-PT FG
Zach LaVine is one heck of an athlete but that is not all he is known for anymore. LaVine can get buckets at an All-Star level and he will be looking to continue from where he left off last season. LaVine had a career year and has become the franchise star for the Chicago Bulls. LaVine’s scoring ability from outside has improved dramatically over the years and he is a major problem for defenses.
LaVine will hope he can get more help in Chicago so he can make the playoffs to test his skills. LaVine plays hard every night and will continue to improve his all-around game as he grows to become a perennial All-Star in the Eastern Conference.
6. C.J. McCollum
2019-2020 Statistics: 22.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 37.9% 3-PT FG
Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard C.J. McCollum is one of the best scorers in the league, and his scoring average would be higher if he didn’t play alongside another great scorer in Damian Lillard. McCollum is one of the few players that can create excellent looks for himself and he does it in a variety of ways. He drains shots from outside, attacks the rim with confidence, and has a perfect mid-range game.
McCollum and Lillard will be looking to have a better season after barely making the playoffs last year. McCollum will try to be at his best in terms of scoring the ball, as the better he is on offense, the higher the Blazers will reach in the standings.
5. Donovan Mitchell
2019-2020 Statistics: 24.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 36.6% 3-PT FG
Without a doubt, Donovan Mitchell is a top-5 shooting guard in the NBA right now. Mitchell is a legitimate franchise star and he will soon challenge the rest to become a top-3 player in his position. Mitchell has this extra something about him that is reminiscent of a young Dwyane Wade. Mitchell plays hard every night, has incredible athleticism and is a clutch player by nature.
Mitchell will look to avenge last season where he and the Jazz blew a 3-1 lead against the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. Mitchell has everything a player needs to be a superstar, and he must continue to improve to reach that level.
4. Bradley Beal
2019-2020 Statistics: 30.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.2 SPG, 35.3% 3-PT FG
Bradley Beal took a massive jump last season as a go-to scorer and offensive force for the Washington Wizards. He was alone in Washington as John Wall was out for the season, and he made the most of it by dominating the scoring charts. Beal finished second in scoring out of all players and he saw jumps in his overall game as easy.
Bradley Beal is easily a top-5 shooting guard in the league and he will prove it by leading the Wizards into the playoffs this season. Russell Westbrook is a Wizards player which means Washington has arguably the best backcourt in the NBA.
3. Paul George
2019-2020 Statistics: 21.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 41.2% 3-PT FG
Although it might seem surprising considering his horrific season last year, Paul George is a top-3 shooting guard in the NBA. And that is not because he will be bolstered by Kawhi Leonard either. Paul George will return this season more focused than ever and could return to his MVP form. George is the best 2-way shooting guard in the league when motivated, and it isn’t close.
George will most likely have a rebound year as he hopes to lead the Clippers to the NBA Finals alongside Kawhi Leonard. George has no weakness on the floor and if his mind is right, we will see the return of a player who can legitimately challenge for an MVP Award.
2. Devin Booker
2019-2020 Statistics: 26.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 35.4% 3-PT FG
Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker will be the second-best shooting guard in the NBA. Booker can create his own offense better than almost every other player in the league right now, and the addition of Chris Paul to the roster will make Booker a better player. Booker was already good enough to be an All-Star last year, but this year he will solidify his stance as one of the top-2 shooting guards in the world.
Booker will most likely see jumps in his playmaking ability as he sees more double teams. Booker is deadly from deep, can attack the rim, and also get his shots off from mid-range. As an overall offensive package, Booker will strive to be a superstar player as he learns how to win from Chris Paul.
1. James Harden
2018-2019 Statistics: 34.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 7.5 APG, 1.8 SPG, 35.5% 3-PT FG
No surprise, James Harden is the best shooting guard in the entire NBA and it isn’t really close. No shooting guard possesses Harden’s scoring or passing ability, and he is head and shoulders above the rest in terms of the overall impact on the game. While Harden can’t defend like Paul George or Marcus Smart can, he does everything else at a superstar level.
Harden can create offense for himself or his teammates at any given moment, and he is a player that can win games on his own. We have seen how Harden can drop a 50-point triple-double when he wants to, and he is a 3-time scoring champion that will most likely be #1 for the next few years at least.
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