The 2024-25 NBA season is quickly approaching, so along with my latest scores and category rankings dropping, let’s delve into my position-by-position. I’ve covered the shooting guards, so today it’s all about the shooting guards.
NOTE: Only some players will have analysis when listed in the levels below. Players with multi-position eligibility will only appear in the position portion where they played the most minutes last season or are projected to play this season.
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The shooting guard position is diverse, with elite players like Donovan Mitchell and Anthony Edwards leading the pack. Tiers 3-8 feature a mix of risk-reward players, sleepers, veterans and fringe starters, each with unique strengths and potential fantasy value. While it’s not a position you need to make in the early rounds (especially for point ties), just be aware that the deeper you get into the drafts, there are marked declines in efficiency and usage.
Tier 1: The elite SGs
1. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
3. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
4. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
Donovan Mitchell provided first-round value in points and category formats last year. The biggest driver in his rise up the ranks was due to an average of 1.8 steals per game. Hopefully, the injuries that caused him to miss 27 games are behind him.
Few players are equipped to become the face of the league like Anthony Edwards. I made the case that he is a first-round pick and while it may not come to fruition this season, he is indeed worth an early-to-mid second-round pick when he hasn’t reached his ceiling yet.
I threw Devin Booker (and Bradley Beal a bit later) into the SG tiers because they will fluidly play a mix of PG, SG and SF this season. Either way, the Suns bringing in Tyus Jones to run point will suppress Devin Booker’s potential assists. However, he will still produce strong efficiency numbers and is among the top scorers in the league. We were also able to see an increase in his three-point shooting, playing more off-ball in Mike Budenholzer’s offensive scheme.
Kyrie Irving’s ADP drops into the mid-late second round due to concerns about his hand injury, which required surgery in the offseason. He’s said to be 100% by training camp, so I have no reservations about drafting him anywhere during the second round.
Tier 2: Early-round value SGs
1. Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies
2. Derrick White, Boston Celtics
The Grizzlies dealt with a ton of injuries last year, but Desmond Bane set career highs in points, assists and 3s per game through 42 games. Memphis is going to have a helluva rebounding campaign, and Bane is going almost 20 picks past his last year ADP.
Okay, Derrick White is hardly a buy low, but he goes a few picks after Bane in most Yahoo drafts, so he fits in this tier. He doesn’t offer the scoring output like the others in this group, but his defense belongs on a level of its own. If his 3-point shooting and efficiency hold up with the stock, he will be a top-30 player.
Level 3: Risk-and-reward SGs
1. Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns
2. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
3. Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs
4. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
Bradley Beal’s injury profile is baked into his ADP, so I’m fine picking him around the seventh round based on what I saw when he was healthy last year. Eighteen-five-five with 51/43/81 shooting splits is more than a solid mid-round pick.
The Bulls have Zach LaVine in a tough spot. While he is the top scoring option with DeMar DeRozan gone, his contract and injury history sour his trade value. However, I’m sure we’ll see a rejuvenated and extra-motivated version of him next season. Assuming he’s back to 100%, his sixth-round ADP isn’t bad at all.
Surprise to no one, Devin Vassell performs better with Victor Wembanyama on the floor. The 24-year-old has the highest ceiling at this level and, after shooting 39.5% on grab and shoot 3sChris Paul is about to make Vassell’s life even better.
Tier 4: Punt FG percentage SGs
1. Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets
2. Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers
3. CJ McCollum, New Orleans Pelicans
4. Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks
5. Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
6. Jordan Poole, Washington Wizards
Cam Thomas is one of my star guys this season. He will be the focal point of the Nets’ offense and is an underrated playmaker and walk-on bucket.
Bogdanović’s ADP is the lowest of this level and I don’t understand it. He finished 34th in total tackles and 63rd in tackles last season and will replace Dejounte Murray in the starting lineup. Bogdanović is a steal being drafted in the 100s.
Jalen Green has been a league-winner in the final two months without Alperen Şengün on the court. The question is, can he play like this all season? Or will Green always be a post-All-Star break heat control? He’s worth it for point ties, but I’d tread lightly in category formats.
Poole was terrible last season, but going 90th in Yahoo drafts is an affordable price to buy back some stock.
Part 5: Sleeper SGs at ADP
1. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
2. Brandin Pod Ziemia, Golden State Warriors
3. Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz
4. Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
6. Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers
7. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons
8. Keon Ellis, Sacramento Kings
The new-look Warriors are giving their young guys a chance to shine. Podziemski played on the USA Select team this summer and, by all accounts, is nicely set up for the starting SG spot without Klay Thompson. He’s one of the better rebounding guards in the league, so with some improvement from the line and three-point range, he could easily beat his ADP in the 120s.
The Thunder’s defense is going to be insane, and adding stock specialist Alex Caruso to the mix will only make it better. I would expect him to continue his menacing ways, plus Caruso is also a good source of 3s for fantasy managers.
The Houston Rockets have the wonderful problem of having too much depth. Thompson’s athleticism is off the charts and he proved that, even in a bench role, he could make an impact in fantasy. Thompson averaged 29 fantasy points per game in just 22 minutes per night. He is an excellent rebounder and steal specialist; if he figures out his shot, he’s going to be a problem.
You can save Andrew Nembhard for the last two rounds of drafts, as he has emerged as the best Tyrese Haliburton insurance policy in the 2024 NBA playoffs. The efficient guard has secured a three-year extension and he will be on the cusp of top 100 status if he can generate more scoring stats.
Keon Ellis posted an Alex Caruso-light line of 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 threes and 2.6 shares with 48/45/85 shooting splits through the final 23 games last season. He’s emerging as a candidate to start at SG, which boosts his fantasy appeal if you’re looking for stock and a 3s guy deep in the draft.
Level 6: Vets who can still produce
1. Norman Powell
2. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
3. Caris LeVert
4. Kelly Oubre Jr.
5. Malik Monk
6. Terrance Mann
7. Jordan Clarkson
8. Donte DiVincenzo
9. Gary Trent Jr.
Norman Powell will be the primary scoring option off the bench for the Clippers, but any injury to the starters could push him into a 30-minute-a-night role. He is a reliable 3-point threat and shoots a high percentage from the field. I’d prefer him to other six-man types in this group.
Caris LeVert is reuniting with former head coach Kenny Atkinson and, given the injuries to the Cavs’ backcourt over the years, LeVert will more than likely be fantasy-relevant again this season.
After a solid first campaign, Kelly Oubre Jr. returned to the Sixers on a new deal. He averaged 15 points with five boards, 1.5 3s and nearly two shares per contest in 30 minutes per night. He’s a late-round flier if you need points and shares and throws FG%.
The chances of Donte DiVincenzo returning sixth-round value again are pretty slim considering all the moves the Knicks have made to improve their depth, but should there be an injury, we know what the Big Ragú is capable of from a fantasy perspective.
Level 7: Fringe starters and bench depth
1. Grady Dick
2. Josh Green
3. Luguentz There
4. Buddy Hield
5. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
6. Banton Road
7. Christian Braun
8. Josh Richardson
9. Cason Wallace
10. Luke Kennard
11. Kevin Huerter
12. Duncan Robinson
13. Dalton Knecht
14. Malik Beasley
15. Spencer Dinwiddie
Gradey Dick averaged 13 points with two 3s per contest in 30 minutes per night over the final 22 games of the ’23-24 season. They weren’t eye-popping numbers by any means, but the rookie played significant minutes and improved greatly by the end of the season. His defense needs work, but he’s shown he can be a decent 3-point threat on the wing. He’s likely a potential waiver pickup, but still someone to monitor (assuming he starts).
Josh Green looks like the starting two guard on a much improved Hornets roster. He didn’t get a chance to show much with the Mavs and I don’t think that changes as the fourth option on offense.
Dalano Banton could be the Blazers’ sixth man after making waves off the waiver wire to close out last season. I’d give it some time, but if Scoot Henderson or Anfernee Simons go down, keep Banta on your watch list.
Christian Braun’s fantasy outlook got murkier when the Nuggets signed Russell Westbrook III this offseason. Braun will be in the rotation, but it’s become increasingly difficult to see him as a fantasy option.
Level 8: Limited burns SGs
1. Tim Hardaway Jr.
2. Jaden Hardy
3. Julian Strawther
4. Bruce Brown Jr.
5. Eric Gordon
6. Pat Connaughton
7. Aaron Wiggins
8. Three Man
9. Alec Burks
10. Seth Curry
