10 Best Point Guards in the NBA Right Now (Ranked)

For all the complaints about modern basketball, from the moans that it’s too three-point-centric to the lack of defense to the too-long regular season, the NBA is actually in a great place. The new TV deal is signed, there is tremendous parity at the top and middle of the league, and there’s more talent than ever.

If it seems as if even below-average NBA teams are pretty good compared to even 10 years ago, it’s because they are. Every position group in the NBA is deeper than ever before, and point guard is no different.

The point guard spot on a basketball team is arguably the most important, even in a game made for bigger humans, because they get so much control over what happens on each possession. They’re the guys who kickstart the offense each time down the floor, get their team into their sets, and handle the ball against pressure.

In today’s era of space and pace, having an elite decision-maker who can both score and playmake is essential for championship contention. Sometimes it can be a point forward like LeBron James or Jayson Tatum, but the traditional point guard position is still king, even in the modern day.

So, who are the top 10 point guards in the league, heading into the 2025-26 season? If your team has one of these guys, you’re in great shape moving forward.

*Honorable Mentions include Ja Morant, Lamelo Ball, De’Aaron Fox. Kyrie Irving would be on this list, but he’s out for all or most of 2025-26.

10

Tyrese Maxey

The first name here was a tough choice between players who put up great statistics on bad teams, but Tyrese Maxey gets the nod because he bears the least blame for his team’s struggles. Maxey, who’s entering his sixth NBA season (where has the time gone), is coming off consecutive campaigns of phenomenal offensive production and is looking to make the All-NBA leap in ’26.

Over the past two seasons, Maxey has burst onto the scene as a star-level guard, averaging 26.1 points and 6.1 assists on 56.8% true shooting. Yes, the efficiency needs to increase for Tyrese to reach the next tier of PGs, but he’s been dealing with a mismatched roster full of injuries and drama.

In fact, Maxey has been the one constant performer for Philly, appearing in 122 games from 2023-2025. He earned an All-Star appearance as well as the Most Improved Player award in 2023-24. The Kentucky product was also excellent in the playoffs in 2024, posting 29.8 points and 6.8 assists on great efficiency.

9

Darius Garland

At ninth, we have Darius Garland, who’s in a similar age range to Maxey, but has been a part of significantly more winning. Garland, a two-time All-Star in his six seasons, has gone from one of the most inefficient guards in basketball to an elite offensive engine for his Cavaliers.

Most of the credit for Cleveland’s success the past three years has gone to Donovan Mitchell, but Garland is quietly the driving force of their offense. Over that span, Darius has averaged 20.2 points and 7.0 assists on a nice 58.5% true shooting, helping lead the Cavs to 51, 48, and 64 wins.

While his statistics don’t seem eye-popping, Garland is the main advantage creator for Cleveland. His incredible quickness and handle allow him to beat people off the dribble better than almost any guard in basketball, kick-starting their electric offense.

Yes, Garland has struggled in the postseason due to a combination of injuries and poor defense. He’ll need to step up on the big stage to reach the next level of PGs, or the Cavs might have to begin shopping him.

8

Jamal Murray

If this ranking was made before the last two seasons, Jamal Murray would be much higher. Unfortunately, in the two years since his legendary playoff run helped Denver hoist the trophy, Murray has been underwhelming in both the regular campaign and especially the postseason.

Although his regular-season numbers look fine, Denver has needed more out of Murray as their talent has declined. His last two playoff runs, however, have been downright bad by his standards. In 26 postseason games since the title, he’s averaged 21.2 points and 5.4 assists on a brutal 51.6% true shooting.

Compare that to his 2023 outburst, when he posted 26.1 points and 7.1 assists on 58.6% true shooting with some of the greatest playoff games in recent memory.

Jamal is slipping down this list each year that he gets farther away from that player, but he still remains a trustworthy playoff partner for Nikola Jokic. With a reloaded Denver squad for 2025-26, expect a big season for Murray.

7

Trae Young

At seventh is one of the more interesting players for the 2025-26 NBA season, Trae Young. It feels like a put-up-or-shutup year for Young, who is somehow in his eighth campaign in Atlanta. He’s been a four-time All-Star, one-time All-NBA member, and won the 2025 assist title. Young has also led the Hawks to three playoff appearances and a Conference Finals berth.

His 9.8 assists per game ranks third all-time.

Quietly, Ice Trae has accomplished a lot in his early Hawks career. However, it’s been three years since their last postseason appearance, and Young has just not been quite the winner that Atlanta banked on when they dealt him for Luka Doncic in the 2018 draft.

It’s time for Trae to deliver a big season in Atlanta, who restocked the roster with a sneaky amount of talent. He has the talented young wing trio of Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Zaccharie Risacher, as well as Kristaps Porzingis and a variety of good role players.

There’s never been a better opportunity for Young to have a playoff run in the weakened Eastern Conference. If not, tough conversations will be had.

6

Cade Cunningham

The top five guys on this list are in their own tier of players, as well as the 7–10 spots and honorable mentions. At sixth and in his own group is ascending Detroit Pistons star, Cade Cunningham. Cade, who was a first-time All-Star and All-NBA Third Team in 2024-25, had a breakout season in his fourth year.

Cunningham averaged 26.1 and a startling 9.1 assists, leading an undermanned Pistons team to the sixth seed. He almost carried his squad past the more talented Knicks in the first round, but 2025 was a rousing success for both Cade and Detroit. They more than tripled their win total from 2023-24, and it was primarily due to the breakout of their star point guard.

Unfortunately, Detroit didn’t improve much heading into 2025-26, but if Cunningham takes another leap, they’ll be contenders in the East.

5

Tyrese Haliburton

Now, the tier that should be considered the “elite” point guards in the NBA. At fifth is the guy who had the second-best season of any PG in 2025, Tyrese Haliburton. While his statistics have looked relatively pedestrian since his absurd beginning of the 2023-24 season, when he averaged 24-plus points and 12-plus assists, Hali is an awesome offensive engine for his Pacers.

Haliburton drives everything for Indiana, who made it to within one win of their first title with one of the craziest underdog playoff runs ever. While he only averaged 17.3 points and 8.6 assists in the postseason, Tyrese is simply the best advantage creator in basketball.

He beats his defender off the dribble better than almost anyone, is a stellar pick-and-roll operator, and pushes the ball in transition. Haliburton sees passing angles that only very few can, and has the talent to get the ball through small gaps. He’s arguably the best playmaker in the league right now.

Unfortunately, Haliburton is out for the season with his infamous NBA Finals Game 7 Achilles injury. Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard are off this list with their serious injuries because it’s uncertain whether they’ll be great again after. At just 25 years old, this feels more like a speed bump for Tyrese than a career-ender.

4

Stephen Curry

Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

This is a controversial choice for the fourth spot, as Stephen Curry is probably still a top-three PG for one playoff game due to his experience and track record. However, the three guys above him have proven to be more durable, consistent performers in both the regular season and postseason, capable of carrying their offense regardless of surrounding talent.

Curry’s decline as a top-tier superstar offensive engine should be expected, as he turned 37 last March. Still, he’s one of the best players in the league as he enters his late-30s, and is capable of a shooting explosion on any night. After Golden State acquired Jimmy Butler at the deadline, Curry posted 27.0 points and 5.8 assists on a stellar 65.1 TS%.

It remains to be seen whether a reinvigorated Curry can find his old form, as he did in the 27 games after bringing in another star teammate. His playoff run was cut short by an injury in the second round. As NBA fans, everyone is hoping that the Chef has at least one more legendary moment left in him.

He’s still a top-ten player in basketball, but the three ahead of him have proven more recently.

3

Jalen Brunson

Jalen Brunson had a better year from start-to-finish than the guy above him in this ranking, but third feels right for New York’s captain. Brunson gets the nod over the legend Stephen Curry because he’s simply been a better player than him in the regular and postseason for three straight years.

Since arriving in New York, JB has averaged 26.4 points and 6.7 assists on incredible 48.5/39.9 splits. He’s been one of the most durable scorers and playmakers, regardless of his surrounding talent, which has fluctuated in his three seasons in the Big Apple.

He’s earned two straight All-Star appearances and All-NBA Second Team honors, as well as finishing in the top ten in MVP voting in both campaigns. Brunson also won the 2025 Clutch Player of the Year, which is a silly award but showcases how unfathomably great he’s been when his team needs him most.

However, the playoffs are where Brunson has made his imprint. In the nine seasons prior to Jalen’s arrival, the Knicks had one playoff appearance and zero series wins. Since then, they’ve made it in three straight years, won four playoff rounds, and made their first Conference Finals in 25 years.

Through 42 playoff games as a Knick, Brunson has averaged 29.9 points and 6.8 assists, featuring some of the clutchest moments in franchise history. His Knicks are poised to compete for an Eastern Conference title this year.

2

Luka Doncic

© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Luka Doncic had an extremely rough 2024-25 campaign. He was injured and missed 32 games, was traded unceremoniously from his home in Dallas, and was embarrassed in a playoff exit for his second straight season (this time in the first round). However, while Brunson, Curry, and Haliburton all had better years, Doncic’s resume is too strong to rank him any lower than second.

Doncic, who appears to have gotten into the best shape of his career this off-season, is poised for a revenge campaign in his first full year as a Laker. He’s just 26 years old, and has arguably the best individual resume ever of any player that age. Doncic has compiled five All-NBA First Teams in his first seven seasons, finishing top five in MVP voting three times in that span.

The Slovenian’s statistical profile is simply insane: 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists for his career. He’s the best offensive engine in basketball from a scoring plus playmaking perspective. Doncic has upped his averages in the playoffs to 30.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 7.8 assists.

One bad year doesn’t define a 26-year-old generational talent, and we should all expect the best year of his career in 2025-26.

1

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Topping this list for the first time in his career is the current King of the Hill in the entire NBA, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA is coming off a league MVP and Finals MVP in 2025, becoming one of just eleven guys to ever accomplish that feat. He’s the best scorer and defender of any player on this list, and just completed one of the best seasons ever.

Since 2022-23, Shai has averaged 31.4 points, 6.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He’s the best half-court scorer in basketball because of his reliable mid-range jumper and silky handle, and seems to have a unflappable demeanor that carries him through playoff environments.

SGA had some playoff bumps this past year, but ultimately figured it out, averaging 29.9 points and 6.5 assists in 23 postseason games. He has a claim as the best player in the league, though Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo probably still get a slight edge. However, Shai is undoubtedly the best point guard in basketball.