Over the last couple of decades, the NBA game has shifted away from a focus on centers and power forwards to offenses being built around elite scorers and ball handlers in the backcourt. But who are the best of the best right now? We look to answer that with our rundown of the top 10 NBA guards heading into the 2025-26 season.
10. James Harden
At 36, future Hall of Famer James Harden is far removed from his prime, but he is still an elite player for the Clippers. He remains a high-level scorer and three-point threat, but his ball handling is as good as ever and why he is still one of the best NBA guards in 2025.
9. Trae Young
Two years ago, there were questions about whether Trae Young could still be the face of the Hawks organization. It is why his name was tossed into a bunch of trade rumors heading into the 2024-25 season. However, last year the 27-year-old took on a leadership role for a young Atlanta squad and had one of his best seasons as a pro.
The four-time All-Star showed improved maturity, and it benefited him greatly. That is why he is one of the best NBA guards in the 2025-26 season.
8. Cade Cunningham
Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft, has consistently gotten better in his four NBA seasons. However, he took a big leap in 2024-25 and sent a message to the league that he is one of the best NBA guards in the world. He has ascended to become one of the top scoring guards in the game, while also being a high-level distributor. The Pistons star is already very good, but the 24-year-old still hasn’t reached his full potential yet.
7. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry’s best days are behind him, but the 37-year-old is still the best shooter on the planet. The Warriors greybeard can fill it up at a 99th percentile level and remains one of the five best clutch scorers in the NBA right now. He is no longer the game’s top guard, but the future Hall of Famer is still really good.
6. Devin Booker
Despite having to share touches with league legend Kevin Durant, Suns star Devin Booker still put up over 25 points a game last season. However, unlike Durant, Booker does not get enough credit for how good of a ball handler and distributor he is. Now, with the future Hall of Famer playing in Houston, Booker will again be the focal point of the offense. And a case can be made that he plays better that way.
5. Donovan Mitchell
The Cavaliers head into the 2025-26 season as a top pick to represent the East in the NBA Finals because of the amazing talent of Donovan Mitchell. As the undisputed top star in Cleveland, he has played like an MVP candidate and helped the Cavaliers have some of the best records in the league the last two years. The six-time All-Star has filled the void left by LeBron James in Cleveland.
4. Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson is an elite player in the game without being a special athlete. He has emerged as one of the league’s top players with offensive know-how, smarts, and incomparable craftiness. He also brings a flair for clutch moments — especially in the playoffs — that makes him stand out among his elite peers. There is a reason why Knicks fans absolutely love the former Villanova star. If they reach the Finals in the 2025-26 season, it will be due to Brunson’s efforts.
3. Anthony Edwards
So often, No. 1 picks never live up to the hype. However, Anthony Edwards has and then some for the Timberwolves. He is one of the game’s elite scorers, and with a pair of back-to-back trips to the West Finals, the 24-year-old can clearly carry a team and elevate the talent around him. It seems like a matter of time before he wins an NBA MVP and eventually brings Minnesota a championship.
2. Luka Doncic
At this point, it’s safe to assume that Luka Doncic is one of the best NBA players of the modern era. He’s played like an All-Star since making his debut in the Association back in 2018, and two seasons ago, he stamped his place as one of the game’s best by carrying the Mavericks to the Finals. While he has the size of a power forward, he very much has a point guard’s mindset and playing style. That should be accentuated during his first full season for the Lakers.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has morphed into one of the best players in the NBA since coming over to the Thunder from the Clippers in the Paul George trade six years ago. He had some doubters after an MVP-level season two years ago. However, he has stamped his place as one of the game’s elite talents not only by winning NBA MVP honors last season but by leading OKC to the franchise’s first NBA championship in June.
