Ranking the Best Shooting Guards in the NBA

James Harden has arguably been the best Shooting Guard in the NBA since the start of his reign as the Houston Rockets’ leader. In fact, the gap between him and the next best SG in the league is so substantial that it speaks volumes about Harden’s prominence among the greatest ever at that position.

He is a unique offensive weapon with the skill set and potential to be one of the most lethal scorers in NBA history. Harden is an underrated defender, but if he brings more consistency and effort on the defensive side of the floor and wins a championship while still in his prime, his name will forever be cemented among the all-time greats.

The Washington Wizards star is probably the most underrated shooting guard in the league due to his team’s underwhelming performance every season, but the facts show Bradley Beal is doing something this season that only Michael Jordan and LeBron James have ever accomplished. Bradley Beal is also averaging the second-highest PPG this season (30.5), only behind the premier scorer in the game right now, James Harden (34.4).

As great as those achievements are, Beal was still snubbed for the All-Star Game despite owning the highest scoring average ever for a player who didn’t make the All-Star team. Beal has proven to be an elite scoring machine this season, and at 26 years old, he is just entering his prime. There’s no telling how good the Wizards’ backcourt can be once John Wall returns next season.

Devin Booker’s fundamental player profile is very similar to Harden’s, a scoring virtuoso with defensive deficiencies, albeit with immense potential. Since his sophomore campaign in 2016, Booker has averaged at least 22 PPG every season, including 26.1 PPG this season on a very efficient 48.7% FG. His scoring ability is so elite because he can shoot from anywhere on the floor.

After scoring an absurd 70 points against Boston in 2017, Booker became the youngest player to score at least 60 points in one game. Booker’s 70 point-game is higher than the career-highs of every active superstar in the NBA including LeBron James (61), James Harden (61), Kevin Durant (54), and Stephen Curry (54). At only 23 years old, it’s exciting to imagine what Devin Booker will look like in his prime.

Donovan Mitchell, the player that many say resembles a young Dwayne Wade, is on the cusp of stardom. Mitchell’s rare athleticism was seen on a national stage instantly when he won the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest as a 21-year-old rookie.

This season, Mitchell continues to improve his effectiveness and efficiency on the offensive end by averaging 24.2 PPG on 45% shooting and leading his team to fourth in the West, landing him his first All-Star selection. His future is already bright, but if Donovan Mitchell improves his playmaking consistency and defensive impact, he can make the jump from star to superstar in the near future.

While Zach LaVine’s team isn’t very good (22-43), he’s still emerging as one of the best shooting guards in the league. He’s already the best SG Chicago has had since the GOAT himself. Although the Bulls are in the bottom tier of team rankings, LaVine has managed to make them somewhat relevant with his impressive athletic ability and electrifying plays on a nightly basis.

The two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion (2015, 2016) was averaging a career-high 25.5 PPG on 45% FG% to go with 4.8 RPG and 4.2 APG before the season suspension. Combining his age (24 years old), natural athleticism, and shooting prowess (makes over three 3PM a game on 38%), he could one day claim the top spot on this list with a better team around him.

James Harden has arguably been the best Shooting Guard in the NBA since the start of his reign as the Houston Rockets’ leader. In fact, the gap between him and the next best SG in the league is so substantial that it speaks volumes about Harden’s prominence among the greatest ever at that position.

He is a unique offensive weapon with the skill set and potential to be one of the most lethal scorers in NBA history. Harden is an underrated defender, but if he brings more consistency and effort on the defensive side of the floor and wins a championship while still in his prime, his name will forever be cemented among the all-time greats.

The Washington Wizards star is probably the most underrated shooting guard in the league due to his team’s underwhelming performance every season, but the facts show Bradley Beal is doing something this season that only Michael Jordan and LeBron James have ever accomplished. Bradley Beal is also averaging the second-highest PPG this season (30.5), only behind the premier scorer in the game right now, James Harden (34.4).

As great as those achievements are, Beal was still snubbed for the All-Star Game despite owning the highest scoring average ever for a player who didn’t make the All-Star team. Beal has proven to be an elite scoring machine this season, and at 26 years old, he is just entering his prime. There’s no telling how good the Wizards’ backcourt can be once John Wall returns next season.

Devin Booker’s fundamental player profile is very similar to Harden’s, a scoring virtuoso with defensive deficiencies, albeit with immense potential. Since his sophomore campaign in 2016, Booker has averaged at least 22 PPG every season, including 26.1 PPG this season on a very efficient 48.7% FG. His scoring ability is so elite because he can shoot from anywhere on the floor.

After scoring an absurd 70 points against Boston in 2017, Booker became the youngest player to score at least 60 points in one game. Booker’s 70 point-game is higher than the career-highs of every active superstar in the NBA including LeBron James (61), James Harden (61), Kevin Durant (54), and Stephen Curry (54). At only 23 years old, it’s exciting to imagine what Devin Booker will look like in his prime.

Donovan Mitchell, the player that many say resembles a young Dwayne Wade, is on the cusp of stardom. Mitchell’s rare athleticism was seen on a national stage instantly when he won the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest as a 21-year-old rookie.

This season, Mitchell continues to improve his effectiveness and efficiency on the offensive end by averaging 24.2 PPG on 45% shooting and leading his team to fourth in the West, landing him his first All-Star selection. His future is already bright, but if Donovan Mitchell improves his playmaking consistency and defensive impact, he can make the jump from star to superstar in the near future.

While Zach LaVine’s team isn’t very good (22-43), he’s still emerging as one of the best shooting guards in the league. He’s already the best SG Chicago has had since the GOAT himself. Although the Bulls are in the bottom tier of team rankings, LaVine has managed to make them somewhat relevant with his impressive athletic ability and electrifying plays on a nightly basis.

The two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion (2015, 2016) was averaging a career-high 25.5 PPG on 45% FG% to go with 4.8 RPG and 4.2 APG before the season suspension. Combining his age (24 years old), natural athleticism, and shooting prowess (makes over three 3PM a game on 38%), he could one day claim the top spot on this list with a better team around him.