The 2026-27 NBA season is upon us, and with it comes the annual ranking of the top point guards. This year's list is particularly intriguing, as it features a loaded point guard position with some of the league's most talented players. Here's a deep dive into the top 27 point guards, with a focus on personal commentary and analysis.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City): The best guard in the sport, with a case to be considered the best player in the sport. Back-to-back regular-season MVP trophies, four straight 1st Team All-NBA appearances, and a Clutch Player of the Year award. An elite talent at getting to his spots and knocking down shots, as well as at drawing fouls and sinking free throws at a high rate.
Luka Doncic (LA Lakers): A borderline magical tough-shot-maker. When he gets going offensively, he can literally hit any shot on the floor over any type of defense. He’s also a monster scoring from closer to the basket, boasting a wide array of pull-up jumpers and floaters he can go to in traffic.
Cade Cunningham (Detroit): One of the best playmakers in the league last season, averaging 9.9 assists per game. Cunningham’s assist rate (45.2 percent) also ranked second in the NBA. He’s a 1st Team All-NBAer in 2025-26, and he might have finished higher if he didn’t miss 18 games in the regular season.
Jalen Brunson (New York): Led the New York Knicks to their first championship in over 50 years. Brunson led the entire postseason in scoring last year, putting up 28.4 points per game in the playoffs. He’s strong for his size and a master at using picks to get to open spots on the floor.
Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia): Electric lead guard who earned All-Star honors for the second time and All-NBA Team honors (as a 3rd Teamer) for the first time. Maxey is lightning-quick, both in the open floor and in the halfcourt, possessing an elite first step, fantastic burst, and a tidy crossover.
Stephen Curry (Golden State): Future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer who just misses out on the Top 5. Curry had a plus-5.4 BPM last season, which would have ranked seventh league-wide if Curry had played enough games to qualify for Basketball-Reference’s ranking.
Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana): One of the top floor generals in the game, capable of hitting tough shots from beyond the arc or setting up teammates for simple looks at a high level. Haliburton is particularly effective as a pick-and-roll scorer.
Jamal Murray (Denver): After spending years with the strong claim of being one of the best players in league history without an All-Star appearance, Jamal Murray finally earned that honor in 2025-26.
James Harden: Despite it being a season of change for him, too, and despite it being his age-36 campaign, James Harden remained among the NBA’s elite in 2025-26.
Trae Young: Trae Young's spot on this list is heavily boosted by his reputation, as last season was a dud for him. Young got injured early on in 2025-26 before returning briefly.
LaMelo Ball (Minnesota): 25-year-old LaMelo Ball finally seemed to put it all together last season, helping lead the Charlotte Hornets to a 44-38 record.
Dylan Harper (San Antonio): One of the most promising young floor generals in the NBA today.
Darryn Peterson (Utah): It’s difficult to predict how Darryn Peterson will perform as a first-year player.
De'Aaron Fox (San Antonio): After an All-Star regular season, Spurs lead guard De’Aaron Fox struggled mightily in the playoffs.
Derrick White (Boston): One of the best two-way guards in the game today, with top-notch defense and a strong offensive game.
Kyrie Irving (Dallas): What we just said about Lillard also applies to Kyrie Irving, with the only difference being that Irving is returning from an ACL tear and not an Achilles tear.
Damian Lillard (Portland): We’re putting a lot of faith in Damian Lillard’s rehab process here, as the future Hall-of-Famer hasn’t played since April 27, 2025.
Darius Garland (LA Clippers): Injury troubles and a mid-season trade hurt Darius Garland’s 2025-26 output.
Josh Giddey (Chicago): Only 12 players in NBA history have put up a 17/7/8 stat line for a season, and Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey is one of them.
Ja Morant (Portland): Portland took a huge risk in trading for Ja Morant this offseason.
Payton Pritchard (Boston): Boston Celtics shot-caller Brad Stevens received some criticism when he signed bench player Payton Pritchard to a four-year, $30 million fully guaranteed deal early in the 2023-24 season.
Immanuel Quickley (Toronto): The lightning-quick Immanuel Quickley has a smooth crossover, a quick first step, and the ability to hit shots from deep and from the midrange.
Anthony Black (Orlando): Suggs might actually be getting Wally Pipped by the next player in this ranking, Anthony Black, who enjoyed a breakout 2025-26.
Jalen Suggs (Orlando): After a 2023-24 season that saw him earn 2nd Team All-Defense honors and Defensive Player of the Year votes, Jalen Suggs has missed a lot of time due to injury.
Jrue Holiday (Portland): Now 36, veteran floor general Jrue Holiday is the first of three Portland Trail Blazers point guards on this list.
Fred VanVleet (Houston): Coming off missing an entire season due to a torn ACL and meniscus, we’re not entirely sure how Fred VanVleet will look when he returns.
Darius Acuff (Sacramento): The reigning No. 7 overall pick and one of just two rookie point guards in this ranking, Sacramento Kings guard Darius Acuff Jr. entered the NBA with some hype.
