Top five shooting guards entering 2024-25 NBA season

Shooting guard has become the most overlooked position in the NBA, primarily due to the evolution of other positions, which has blurred the traditional lines separating positions. Modern point guards score more, and frontcourt players have become dynamic perimeter scorers driven by analytics emphasizing efficient shot selection.

Despite lacking the same depth of talent as the point guard or forward positions, shooting guard still boasts a wealth of talent. Here are the top five shooting guards entering the 2024-25 NBA season, presented in inverse order:

5. Desmond Bane | Memphis Grizzlies

The rapid emergence of Bane, a late first-round pick in 2020 (No. 30), is a boon for the Grizzlies. Though he missed 40 games last season because of injuries, Bane showcased his scoring chops as a primary option, averaging a career-high 23.7 points and shooting a respectable 38.1% from three-point range. Only 26, he is poised for further development.

4. Kyrie Irving | Dallas Mavericks

Many might categorize Irving as a point guard, but with Luka Doncic carrying much of the primary ball-handler duties, it's clear Irving is Dallas' shooting guard. Irving himself also seems to prefer this position and title.

Irving appeared comfortable in this role last season, averaging 25.6 points and a stellar 41.1% from three-point range. Although he is in the upper echelon of guards, Irving didn't succeed as a first option (he averaged 19.8 PPG and shot 27.6% from three in the Finals last season), preventing him from breaking into the top three.

3. Donovan Mitchell | Cleveland Cavaliers

Since he arrived in Cleveland in 2022, he has established himself as the team's offensive engine, averaging 27.5 points over the past two seasons and an impressive 29.6 points in last season's playoffs. Mitchell has proved he can shoulder the offensive load on a playoff-caliber team. However, Mitchell has not made it past the second round of the playoffs, even with elite squads, so he is behind the two other shooting guards on this list.

2. Anthony Edwards | Minnesota Timberwolves

Only 23, Edwards has emerged as a potential "face of the NBA ." In his deepest playoff run this past season, which concluded with a Western Conference Finals appearance, he thrived under pressure, scoring 27.6 points per game and shooting 40.0% from three-point range in 16 games. With Minnesota moving on from franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns, the offensive reins are now firmly in Edwards' hands, allowing him to elevate himself in the NBA hierarchy.

1. Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns

Booker stands out for his ability to effectively coexist with another superstar talent (Kevin Durant) — even if that means being a second option at times — and putting up better individual numbers than anyone on this list, even when playing out of position.

Last season, he took on point guard responsibilities because Phoenix lacked a true facilitator. He balanced scoring and playmaking with averages of 27.1 PPG and 6.9 APG. With Tyus Jones joining the roster, Booker can revert to being a shooting guard and home in on his primary strength as a scorer.