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NBA point guard tier list: Where does Cavaliers’ Darius Garland rank?

By Josh Cornelissen

Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors and Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers. Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images /

NBA Point Guard Tiers: Tier 3 – All-NBA Players

  • 6. Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks
  • 5. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
  • 4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Jrue Holiday is on the cusp of sliding down these rankings, but for now he maintains his spot in this group. His defense wobbled a little last season; if he plays at his 2021-22 level he’s the best point guard defender in the league, capable to taking on guards or wings. Ja Morant is an offensive force when available, but his self-destruction of his own availability and his defensive issues hold him back from an MVP level.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rises to the top of this tier, and the next step is becoming a top-10 player in the league. He has size and strength to get to his spot and score from anywhere inside the arc; if his shot improves he’ll become an elite offensive weapon. As his roster improves around him, he should get the chance to start proving himself in the playoffs.

Tier 2 – MVP Candidates

  • 3. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
  • 2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

It went underappreciated due to how poorly the Trail Blazers played last season, but Damian Lillard had the best offensive year of his career in 2022-23. He was perpetually on fire from anywhere on the court and led the league in a number of advanced offensive metrics. At some point, his game will start to decline due to age, but that hasn’t started yet. If he gets the chance to play for a contender like the Miami Heat next year it will be a boon for fans of basketball.

Luka Doncic should be in Tier 1, and has been pegged as “next up” for MVP for a few years now. Things keep getting in the way, be they nagging injuries, his conditioning, his inaccurate shooting or even missing the Play-In Tournament entirely last year. He is an elite talent and has been tremendous in the playoffs, but something is missing to make him a Top-5 player in the league.

Tier 1 – MVP

  • 1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

There is only one player to place at the top of these rankings. Stephen Curry is a two-time MVP who is still playing at an elite level. Just 14 months ago he was eviscerating the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals en route to winning Finals MVP. As he ages he is dealing with injuries each year that take him off the court and push the Warriors down the standings, but when he is in the game he’s right there with Nikola Jokic as the best offensive player in the league. His combination of shooting, gravity and savvy are as good as any player in league history.

5 times the Cleveland Cavaliers aced the NBA Draft. dark. Next

Which of the rising young stars will move into these top tiers next season? Can Curry, Lillard, Chris Paul and others stave off Father Time? Can Darius Garland find a way to thrive next to Donovan Mitchell that sees him gain the recognition he deserves? The point guard position has never been stronger and it’s a ton of fun to watch.