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10 best point guards in the NBA (2022 and all-time)

Whether you are looking for the best point guards of 2022 or all-time, Sportsnaut has you covered. Includes Steph Curry, Luka Doncic, and more.

NBA: Golden State Warriors at Dallas Mavericks

The NBA has some of the best point guards in the world and the roles they take on their basketball team cannot be underestimated. Therefore, the idea of ranking the best point guards in the NBA is important to many people.

Let’s dive into the 10 best point guards during the 2022-’23 season and in NBA history.

10 best PGs in 2022

10. Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers

NBA: Charlotte Hornets at Cleveland Cavaliers
Nov 18, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) celebrates after the Cavaliers beat the Charlotte Hornets at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Darius Garland is one of the least-known point guards on this list but he has been improving steadily each season. Garland is averaging 20-plus points per game while dishing out at least eight assists per night. The 22-year-old guard is a natural scorer but his playmaking abilities make him a dangerous threat moving forward, especially on a strong Cleveland Cavaliers team.

9. Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets

Kyrie Irving, despite all of the drama surrounding him this season, is still one of the best point guards in the league. Irving has seen a problem with availability but when he is on the floor, there is no better pure-scoring point guard. The 30-year-old guard is also one of the best finishers in the NBA and can lead the team from the guard spot like the best of them.

8. De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings

De’Aaron Fox has been stuck on the Sacramento Kings since 2017 but this year might finally represent a winning season. The Kings remain in the playoff hunt early as Fox is having one of his best shooting and all-around efforts to date. The 24-year-old guard might finally have an opportunity to show off his talent when it matters.

7. James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers

James Harden might be considered a shooting guard to some but his play at the point guard position has been elite. Harden is now a part of a loaded Philadelphia 76ers team that just needs to get healthy to show off its talent. The 33-year-old guard still has the talent to keep up with the young guns around the league as he strives for his first title.

6. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard is very similar to Irving in a sense as his availability has been a concern the last two seasons. However, when Lillard is on the floor, he is one of the league’s best point guards and has tremendous all-around play. The 32-year-old guard is still lacking a championship but his talent alone makes up for what’s bound to be a Hall-of-Fame career.

Related: NBA Power Rankings – Sacramento Kings continue climb in latest rankings

5. Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets
Nov 26, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during the game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Shai-Gilgeous Alexander has broken out with the Oklahoma City Thunder making him one of the best point guards in the NBA today. While Alexander is playing for a losing team, it has been a breakout campaign as he averages at least 30 points, four rebounds, and six assists throughout the young season.

4. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Trae Young is a natural shooter as he can shoot three-pointers from anywhere on the court; however, his playmaking abilities are off the charts. Young has averaged at least nine assists per game since the 2019 season and that has only gotten better. The 24-year-old guard is nearly averaging a double-double this season as he tries to lead the Atlanta Hawks to the NBA Finals.

3. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant burst onto the scene as one of the league’s best point guards during the 2021-’22 season when he averaged 27.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 7.6 assists in 57 games. That has only gotten better as Morant is leading a young Memphis Grizzlies team in the Western Conference. The 23-year-old guard is very talented and represents the future of the NBA.

2. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

It is hard to not include Stephen Curry as one of the best point guards in the league and that will be something that is said years from now. Curry is the NBA’s most successful active point guard as he holds four championships and one Finals MVP award. The 34-year-old guard is the best shooter of all time and he is only getting better with age as he averages 31.4 points this season.

Related: Steph Curry, Jayson Tatum have basketball’s most popular jerseys in 2022

1. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic/best point guards in the NBA
Nov 29, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Luka Doncic is the best point guard in the NBA today over Curry because of his all-around game for the Dallas Mavericks. Doncic nearly averages a triple-double in his five-year career while being one of the best scorers and passers in the league. This has taken another step as the 23-year-old guard is averaging 33.5 points per game to start the season.

10 best PGs of all-time

10. Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns
Nov 22, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) looks on against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Russell Westbrook is not the player he used to be with the Oklahoma City Thunder; however, he remains one of the top-10 best point guards in NBA history. Westbrook has found his way onto this list by being one of the best all-around players in the league’s history as well. The 34-year-old guard has averaged a triple-double a mesmerizing four times.

9. Bob Cousy, Boston Celtics

Bob Cousy is a name that might not be well-known by casual or young NBA fans but he is one of the league’s most successful players of all time. Cousy averaged 18.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 7.5 assists while being a six-time champion, the 1957 Most Valuable Player, and the eight-time NBA assists leader throughout his career.

8. Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks

Jason Kidd is one of the best point guards in the NBA’s storied past due to his playmaking abilities. Kidd averaged 12.6 points per game but his outstanding 8.7 assists per game is what makes it notable. The 2011 NBA champion averaged at least 10 assists per game in three seasons of his career which is a great mark compared to other point guards.

7. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns

Steve Nash had a storybook career after being drafted with the 15th selection in the 1996 NBA Draft. Nash averaged 14.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 8.5 assists while claiming two Most Valuable Player awards. The eight-time NBA All-Star finished his career with seven seasons of averaging at least 10 assists per game, which ranks high with other point guards.

Related: NBA playoff predictions – Bracket picks & 2023 Finals champion

6. Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns

NBA: Phoenix Suns at Philadelphia 76ers
Nov 7, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Paul is one of the best point guards that remain an active player and it’s not hard to see why that’s the case. Paul is currently averaging 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists in his career so far while he is chasing that elusive NBA championship. The 12-time NBA All-Star has averaged at least 10 assists per game in seven seasons and that might only grow moving forward.

5. Isiah Thomas, Detroit Pistons

Isiah Thomas is one of the best point guards in NBA history and it certainly was on display when he played for the Detroit Pistons. Thomas averaged 19.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 9.3 assists while achieving two championships and one Finals MVP award throughout his career. The 12-time NBA All-Star averaged at least 10 assists in four seasons with the Bad Boy Pistons.

4. John Stockton, Utah Jazz

John Stockton is arguably the greatest passer in NBA history and it’s not hard to understand why that might be the case. Stockton averaged 13.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 10.5 assists while leading the league in assists for a total of nine seasons. The 10-time NBA All-Star averaged at least 10 assists per game for 10 seasons and 13 assists per game for five seasons.

3. Oscar Robertson, Sacramento Kings

Oscar Robertson not being included on a list of best point guards ever would feel incomplete. Robertson averaged 25.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists while claiming one championship and one Most Valuable Player award. The 12-time NBA All-Star also has the honor of being the first player to average a triple-double in a full season.

2. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Curry is no stranger to being high on player lists but being one of the best point guards in NBA history is quite an honor. He is averaging 24.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game in his career but his shooting numbers are why he is ranked so high. Curry has the most three-pointers of all time while being the obvious best shooter in the league’s history.

Related: 20 worst NBA players of all-time

1. Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers

USA TODAY Sports
Jun 1988; Detroit, MI, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard Magic Johnson (32) is defended by Detroit Pistons guard Joe Dumars (4) during the 1988 NBA Finals at the Silverdome. Mandatory Credit: MPS-USA TODAY Sports

Magic Johnson is the best point guard in NBA history. Johnson averaged 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 11.2 assists per game throughout his entire career as the assists number is the highest ever. The five-time NBA champion averaged at least 12 assists per game in an unbelievable six seasons. Curry might be the best shooting point guard ever but no one eclipses Johnson.

What skills are needed to become a point guard in the NBA today?

NBA: Portland Trail Blazers at Brooklyn Nets
Nov 27, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives past Portland Trail Blazers guard Josh Hart (11) in the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

There are many skills that are needed to become one of the best point guards in the NBA, such as passing, dribbling, conditioning, free-throw shooting, and leadership abilities. The shooting abilities of point guard can vary but the new generation of this position has leaned toward outside-shooting threats.

What is a point guard’s role in the NBA?

The role of a point guard in the NBA is to lead the offense, facilitate the ball to other players, and score the ball. A point guard is usually the team’s best dribbler and passer while being known to be a solid perimeter defender. It is dependent on the player’s ability but some point guards are poor defenders while others are lock-down defenders.

Related: NBA games today (Updated daily)

Do point guards shoot in the NBA?

NBA: Sacramento Kings at Atlanta Hawks
Nov 23, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) shoots from the free throw line against the Sacramento Kings during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

A scoring point guard is quite common in the NBA as they can shoot the ball effectively from both mid-range distance and the three-point line. While the position has been made famous by players such as Magic Johnson, others like Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, and Trae Young are changing the game.

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