Placing the 25 best shooting guards into tiers based on their stats and performance so far during the 2023-24 NBA season.
One position that has had no shortage of elite performers so far during the 2023-24 NBA season is the shooting guard position. From the three stars at the top who remain in the MVP conversations late in the season to the elite role players who have had an immeasurable impact on their team’s success, the shooting guard position is alive in 2023-24.
Just as we did recently with the point guards so far this season, we have placed the top 25 shooting guards into tiers based solely on their performances this year. Stats and individual honors positively affect each player’s ranking, while injuries and missed time on the court could be the difference in another’s placement on the list. In the 2023-24 season, there has been no better representation of the shooting guard position than these 25 players.
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Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell, Anthony Edwards
When it comes to shooting guards in 2024, the three who make up Tier 1 are undoubtedly the elite of the elite. It all starts with Phoenix guard Devin Booker who, after a slow start to the season, has rallied as of late to become an All-Star yet again this season, averaging 27.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and a career-high 7.0 assists per game on 49.6% shooting from the floor. Booker and the Suns are currently 34-24 and seventh in a very tight Western Conference playoff race.
Of any shooting guard in Tier 1, Donovan Mitchell may have the best shot at MVP. In his second full season in Cleveland, Mitchell is leading the team with 28.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game on 47/36/83 shooting splits. Mitchell earned his second straight All-Star appearance this season while leading the Cavaliers to a 37-19 record through 55 games and the current second seed in the East.
The final star on Tier 1 this season has been Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Edwards has emerged as a future face of the league this year with Minnesota, leading the team to a Western Conference-leading 40-17 record through 57 games. Edwards is also alive in the 2024 MVP race with 26.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game on 46.8% shooting. Edwards also earned his second straight All-Star appearance but has his sights set on bigger things this season.
Tier 2 (All-Stars)
Kyrie Irving, Tyler Herro, Desmond Bane, Terry Rozier, Dejounte Murray, Derrick White
Tier 2 of our shooting guard tier list this season has six of the most impactful non-All-Stars in the NBA today. Despite missing a chunk of the early season due to a bruised heel, Kyrie Irving has hit his stride with the Dallas Mavericks in 2023-24. Through 35 games played, Irving is averaging 25.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game on 49.3% shooting. His presence on the court next to Luka Doncic has the team with an overall record of 33-24 through 57 games, good for eighth in a crowded Western Conference.
Tyler Herro is once again among the best players down in South Beach in 2023-24. Coming off a Finals run he missed due to injury and spending the summer in the middle of intense trade rumors, Herro bounced back with a vengeance. Through 36 games, he is averaging 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game for the Heat while shooting 43.7% overall and 39.9% from three. Miami has had an up-and-down season thus far, sitting at 31-25 and seventh in the East.
Although an injury abruptly halted Desmond Bane’s season after 37 games, his play through the first part of the season was worthy of our respect. Navigating a depleted roster, Bane was averaging 24.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game for the Memphis Grizzlies, shooting 47.4% from the field. Expected to return in the next month, Bane can do little to salvage Memphis’ season as they are currently 20-37 and 13th in the West.
Terry Rozier has had two seasons in one so far in 2023-24. Rozier started the year with the Charlotte Hornets where he has been since the start of 2019-20. In 30 games with the Hornets, Rozier averaged 23.2 points per game on 45.9% shooting. Since being traded to the Heat, Rozier has taken on more of a point guard role, splitting duties with Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler sporadically. In those 10 games with Miami, Rozier is averaging just 12.6 points and 5.6 assists per game.
Subject of trade rumors up to the very last minute of the trade deadline, Dejounte Murray has done a decent job of blocking out the noise in 2023-24. With the Hawks struggling and at a crossroads as a franchise, Murray is averaging 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game this season on 46.7% shooting. The Hawks are currently 25-32, and in the running for the final spot in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament.
The final member of Tier 2 was nearly an All-Star this season and with very good reason. Derrick White of the Boston Celtics has been a big reason for their push to the NBA’s best record at 45-12. In 53 starts this year, White has averaged 15.8 points, 4.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. He routinely makes play after play for Boston on both ends of the floor and is one of the NBA’s most impactful players at shooting guard without question.
Tier 3 (Exceptional)
Anfernee Simons, Malik Monk, Austin Reaves, Jalen Green, Cam Thomas, Josh Giddey, Jalen Suggs
Seven more players make an appearance on Tier 3 as middle-of-the-pack players at shooting guard this season. Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers is enjoying a decent start to his reign as franchise star following the departure of Damian Lillard this past summer. In 32 games this season, Simons is averaging 22.5 points and 5.2 assists per game on 45/37/91 shooting splits. Injuries have caused him to miss extensive time this year while Portland has struggled with just 15 wins through 56 games played.
As it stands, Malik Monk is the current favorite to take home the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award for the Sacramento Kings. In 55 games this season, Monk is averaging a career-high 15.2 points per game along with a career-high 5.2 assists per game as well. Monk has been a huge part of Sacramento’s success even as they fight in the middle of the crowded Western Conference at 33-23 on the year.
After signing an extension to remain with the Lakers this summer, Austin Reaves is having an interesting start to the next chapter of his career. While being thrust in and out of the Lakers lineup in 2023-24, Reaves is averaging 15.7 points and 5.4 assists per game this season on 48.8% shooting. Reaves’ production as the third option for the Lakers will be pivotal to their continued pursuit of a playoff spot as they sit in ninth right now in the West at 31-28.
Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets has had his share of struggles in to-plus seasons in the NBA. Poor shot selection and efficiency have been at the center of those struggles for the young yet talented shooting guard. Through 57 games this season, Green is averaging 17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game on 40.7% shooting. Currently, the Rockets find themselves out of the playoffs at 25-32, fighting for a possible spot in the Play-In.
One of the most surprising breakout stars during the 2023-24 season has been Cam Thomas of the Brooklyn Nets. Thomas and the Nets have struggled mightily during the 2023-24 season at 21-35 through 56 games. Thomas has been lighting it up, however, averaging 21.0 points per game on 44.0% shooting. Thomas has already had three 40-point games and nine 30-point games this season.
While his backcourt partner is having an MVP season in 2023-24, Josh Giddey has been having a decent season of his own as well. Through 56 games, Giddey is averaging 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. Despite off-the-court issues as well this season, Giddey has helped the Thunder have one of their better seasons in recent memory at 40-17 and second place in the West.
The final member of Tier 3 is another player on a surprising playoff team in 2023-24. Jalen Suggs of the Orlando Magic has had a productive season, emerging as one of the best perimeter defenders in the entire league. With the Magic at 32-26 on the year, Suggs is averaging 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game on 45.3% shooting. His defensive effort has helped the Magic obtain the fourth-highest-rated defense this season.
Tier 4 (Role Players)
Donte DiVincenzo, Klay Thompson, Malik Beasley, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jaden Ivey
Tier 4 of our shooting guard tiers for 2023-24 features a wide array of players in different phases of their careers. Donte DiVincenzo has settled into his role with the New York Knicks very nicely in 2023-24. In 55 games and 37 starts for the 34-23 Knicks, DiVincenzo is averaging 13.7 points per game, a career-high, on 45/41/73 shooting splits. His ability to step up in the wake of injuries this season has allowed the Knicks to become a serious contender.
Klay Thompson may have been relegated to the bench in recent weeks but he remains a top 25 shooting guard in the NBA despite his decline. While the Warriors fight for a Play-In spot, Thompson is still averaging 17.1 points per game on 41.8% shooting overall and 37.2% shooting from three.
Malik Beasley has been one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA from start to finish this season so far for the Milwaukee Bucks. Currently, Beasley is shooting 45.2% from three this season on 6.6 attempts for the 37-21 Bucks who sit in third in the East. Overall, Beasley is averaging 11.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in 56 games played.
Defending NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is having a somewhat down season in 2023-24 but remains in the top 25 in the NBA. While the Nuggets defend their title, Caldwell-Pope is currently averaging just 9.9 points per game this season through 52 games played. Luckily for Denver, his decline hasn’t affected them too much as they are 39-19 through 57 games.
The final member of Tier 4 in 2023-24 is Detroit’s Jaden Ivey. In his Sophomore season, Ivey has had bright spots and complete letdowns with a ton of room to grow and improve. In 52 games this season, Ivey is averaging 15.1 points and 3.7 assists per game on 44.8% shooting. Ivey’s output may be solid but his team’s performance has not been as they currently have the worst record in the NBA at 8-48.
Tier 5 (X-Factors)
Gary Trent Jr., Brandin Podziemski
We wrap up our 2023-24 shooting guard tiers with the two players who make up Tier 5. The first of these players is Toronto’s Gary Trent Jr. who is in his fourth season with the Raptors. Through 52 games and just 22 starts, Trent is averaging 11.8 points per game on 42.0% shooting. Toronto is currently fighting for a Play-In spot in the East at 21-36 and 12th in the East.
The final player on our list is Brandin Podziemski, a rookie from the Golden State Warriors. In his debut season, Podziemski has been so impressive, that he even dethroned Klay Thompson as the starter in Golden State. Overall, he is averaging 9.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game for the Warriors while shooting 45.7% overall and 37.3% from three.
