Cavs: Where does Collin Sexton rank among the NBA’s shooting guards?

Cavs: Where does Collin Sexton rank among the NBA’s shooting guards? Tier 2 – All-Stars

Bradley Beal

Bradley Beal finished second in the league in scoring for the second consecutive year, at times dragging along a Washington Wizards team that didn’t find its mojo until late in the season. He has been an All-Star in three of the last four seasons, and was named to the All-NBA team last year.

Devin Booker

The former Kentucky player was once thought to be an empty calories scorer on a bad team, as many likely think of Sexton. As the team around him improved Booker continued to do the same, honing his shot and becoming a more comfortable playmaker. That culminated in last year’s run to the NBA Finals where Booker showed he can handle the increased challenge of the postseason. He made his second All-Star team last year, and has averaged at least 24.9 points per game for each of the last four years.

Zach LaVine

The most unexpected rise of any player in this tier comes from Zach LaVine, who was simply an athletic marvel who struggled to do more than score early in his career. His time in Chicago has honed his game, as LaVine has improved his efficiency while adding playmaking ability. He was a deserving All-Star a season ago, and the Bulls are now building around him as if he is a number one option.

Donovan Mitchell

One common thread among the guards in this tier is their draft position; while Bradley Beal was taken third overall, the rest of these players were taken outside of the Top 10 picks. Donovan Mitchell is the youngest addition to this list, going 13th in the 2017 NBA Draft, one year ahead of Sexton.

Mitchell was asked to be the leading scorer for his team from Day One, and he has responded to the call. In two consecutive postseasons he has likewise stepped up in a major way, proving himself one of the best shot-makers in the league. He is now a two-time All-Star and continues to grow as an offensive force.

Klay Thompson

This ranking is somewhat speculative, as no one knows for sure how Klay Thompson will look coming back from two consecutive catastrophic injuries. Thompson has not played since the 2019 NBA Finals, 24 months and counting. Yet if he is healthy and even close to his former level of play he belongs here, as one of the greatest shooters of all time, a three-time champion, five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA shooting guard. He is also by far the best defender of any player in these top two tiers.