Where does Darius Garland rank among NBA’s point guards?
Ranking the NBA’s point guards: Tier 5 – Above-average Starters
This is the remainder of the list of point guards who would certainly be above-average starters for their teams. There are other players worth mentioning – up-and-comers like Cole Anthony and Anfernee Simons, solid veterans like Patrick Beverly and Seth Curry, or plus backups like Tyus Jones or Patty Mills. Markelle Fultz could play his way back into this list once he returns from injury.
17. Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers
A solid, do-it-all guard who isn’t elevating teams himself but fits in well alongside other offensive options. He shoots, he defends, he passes – nothing at an elite level, but he has no weaknesses either.
18. Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks
Another breakout star of this season, Jalen Brunson has gone from second-round pick to top backup to solid starter. A pending free agent, he could be in line for a big payday this summer. His change-of-direction is nasty, allowing him to find space while driving inside or get clearance to shoot from outside.
19. De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
Even a season ago Fox would have ranked higher on this list, but right now it’s hard to place Fox given his inconsistent shooting and lackadaisical approach to defense. He can be a plus defender, but all too often he chooses not to be.
20. Ricky Rubio, Cleveland Cavaliers
Another player experiencing a career renaissance this season, Ricky Rubio found his place in Cleveland playing off of Darius Garland and old friend Kevin Love. He is a wizard passing the ball and an intelligent defender, but this season showed he has grown as a shooter too. After tearing his ACL, the Cavs will have a difficult decision to make with Rubio both at the trade deadline and this summer.
21. Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers
Russell Westbrook is still a physical force, juicing his teams in transition and putting stress on defenses with his rim attacks. He is also a terribly inefficient shooter that continues to chuck, a sieve on defense who simply hunts for steals, and overall seems to be a floor raiser who does very little to raise ceilings. He was a reasonable piece on a team like the Wizards last year to help them make the Play-In Tournament, but on a team trying to win a title, he is a huge deadweight even before considering his expensive contract.
22. Spencer Dinwiddie, Washington Wizards
Spencer Dinwiddie looked like a great signing by the Wizards this past offseason, but he has been off to an inconsistent start in the nation’s capital. Of the players above him on this list, Fox and Westbrook are the other two to net out as negative players by some metrics. He has been ice-cold shooting and stiff on defense; the hope in Washington is that he gets his form back and makes good on the contract he signed.
Next. 3 potential trades Cavs can make with the Sacramento Kings. dark
There you are — the top 22 point guards in the NBA. Darius Garland checked in at 10th, although reasonable arguments can be made for him anywhere from 8th to 15th. The bottom line is that he has gone from a young player with potential to a player driving winning on one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. It’s not unreasonable to think Garland places even higher on this list next season.