Something remarkable has happened over the past couple of seasons. After a solid decade of the point guard ranks being dominated by the same faces, a new generation is beginning to break through. While Chris Paul and Stephen Curry are still at the top of their game, a collection of guards on their rookie deals are demanding attention.
Darius Garland is one such player, breaking out in his third season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Eight point guards since 2000 have made an All-Star Game in their age-22 season or sooner; Garland could become the ninth. So could LaMelo Ball or Ja Morant. This is an exciting time for fans of the court’s smallest players.
Darius Garland is having a breakout season in his third year. Where does the potential All-Star rank among the NBA’s point guards?
How quickly is Garland rising up the ranks of the league’s point guards? Where does he stand among his peers? This may just seem like a fun exercise, and it certainly is, but it is also a necessary one for front office personnel to do regularly. Knowing where a player stands against his peers determines contract offers, trade requests and roster priorities.
Garland will be eligible for a rookie extension this offseason; whether or not he deserves the max is influenced by whether he is the 10th-best point guard or the 25th. Any such list is a prisoner of the moment, subject to change based on each new game of data. That being the case, let’s take a snapshot right now of where things stand.
This list will attempt to identify how each point guard ranks according to helping his team win; we will try to strip away team context or injuries, but both obviously have an influence. Looking at the top 20 or so point guards in the league, we’ve divided them into five tiers. Where does Darius Garland fall? Who else could be pushing him as they climb the ladder? Let’s dig in!