Who’s #1? Ranking the NBA’s Top 27 Point Guards for ’26-27
NBA’s Top 27 Point Guards for the 2026-27 Season: A Complete Guide for Beginners
Published: August 14, 2026 | Updated: August 15, 2026
Source: HoopsHype Annual Position Rankings Series
What Is a Point Guard? (ELI5 Explanation)
Imagine a basketball team is like a symphony orchestra. The point guard is the conductor—they control the tempo, decide who gets the ball, and make sure everyone is in the right spot. They’re usually the smallest players on the court but have the biggest brains for the game.
Key jobs of a point guard:
- Passing (assists) – Setting up teammates for easy scores
- Ball handling – Dribbling past defenders without losing the ball
- Decision making – Choosing when to shoot, pass, or drive
- Defense – Guarding the other team’s best ball-handler
How This Ranking Works
The experts at HoopsHype watched every game, studied advanced stats, and considered:
- Current ability (not just last year’s stats)
- Health & age (young players improving, veterans declining)
- Team situation (good teammates make point guards look better)
- Contract value (production vs. salary)
- Playoff performance (matters more than regular season)
IMPORTANT NOTE: This list was made before the 2026-27 season started. Injuries, trades, and breakout performances will change everything!
The Cream of the Crop: Top 5 (MVP Candidates)
These five players aren’t just the best point guards—they’re top-10 players in the entire NBA.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
The Current King of the Position
- 2025-26 Stats: 31.1 PPG, 6.6 APG, 55.3% FG, 38.6% 3PT
- Salary: $40.8M (39th highest in NBA)
- Why #1: Back-to-back MVP winner. Think of him as a cheat code—he gets to his spots whenever he wants, draws fouls like a magnet, and shoots 89% from the free-throw line. His stats over 4 years look eerily similar to Michael Jordan’s prime.
FUN FACT: Only 28 years old. Scary good.
2. Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers)
The Slovenian Magician
- 2025-26 Stats: 33.5 PPG, 8.3 APG, 7.7 RPG, 47.6% FG
- Salary: $51M (12th highest)
- Why #2: Led the league in scoring for the 2nd time. He’s not fast or athletic, but he’s smarter than everyone else on the court. Can hit any shot from anywhere. Now has the Lakers to himself after LeBron left.
BIG QUESTION: Can he stay healthy? Missed end of last season with hamstring injury.
3. Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
The 6’6" Unicorn
- 2025-26 Stats: 23.9 PPG, 9.9 APG, 5.5 RPG, 46.1% FG
- Salary: $50.1M (14th highest)
- Why #3: NBA made a special rule exception to let him win awards despite missing 1 game of eligibility. Averaged almost 10 assists while being the #1 scorer on a 60-win team. Only 24 years old!
TRAJECTORY: Still hasn’t hit his ceiling. Could be #1 next year.
4. Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)
The Championship Proven Winner
- 2025-26 Stats: 26.0 PPG, 6.8 APG, 46.7% FG, 36.9% 3PT
- Salary: $37.7M (46th highest — bargain!)
- Why #4: Led Knicks to first title in 50+ years. Won Finals MVP averaging 40.5 points in Games 4-5 of Finals. Only 6’2" but plays bigger than everyone with strength, craftiness, and clutch gene.
BEST VALUE CONTRACT: Produces like a $50M+ player for $37.7M.
5. Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)
The Human Blur
- 2025-26 Stats: 28.3 PPG, 6.6 APG, 1.9 SPG, 46.2% FG
- Salary: $40.8M (41st highest)
- Why #5: Fastest player in the NBA with the ball. 3-level scorer (rim, mid-range, 3PT). Made massive leap to All-NBA. Now playing with LeBron James & Jaylen Brown—will he get enough touches?
SPEED KILLS: Defenders literally cannot stay in front of him.
The All-Star Tier: Ranked 6-10
6. Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
The Greatest Shooter Ever (Aging Gracefully)
- Age: 38 | Salary: $62.6M (highest in NBA)
- 2025-26: 26.6 PPG, 39.3% 3PT in only 43 games
- Reality Check: Still elite when healthy, but Father Time is undefeated. Needs Jimmy Butler healthy to contend.
7. Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)
The Pass-First Maestro (Coming Back from Achilles)
- Age: 25 | Salary: $48.9M
- Missed ALL of 2025-26 with Achilles tear in Finals
- Why ranked this high: Before injury, was Top 5 playmaker ever. Elite pick-and-roll scorer (96th percentile). Clutch gene proven in 2025 Finals run.
MEDICAL GAMBLE: Achilles tears ruin careers. If he’s 90% of old self, he’s Top 5.
8. Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets)
The Playoff Performer
- 2025-26 Stats: 25.4 PPG, 7.1 APG, 43.5% 3PT (career high!)
- Salary: $50.1M
- Breakout Year: First All-Star + All-NBA at age 29. One of only 3 players with 25+ PPG / 7+ APG (with Jokić & SGA). Never had a negative impact season.
9. James Harden (Cleveland Cavaliers)
The Bearded Genius (Age 36)
- 2025-26 Stats: 23.6 PPG, 8.0 APG, 37.5% 3PT
- Reality: Elite regular season player. Playoff struggles continue (19.2 PPG, 30% 3PT in playoffs). Still a master manipulator of defenses.
10. Trae Young (Washington Wizards)
The Logo Shooter (Fresh Start in DC)
- 2025-26: Injury-plagued, traded mid-year, shut down early
- Salary: $49.5M
- Why still Top 10: One year ago: 24.2 PPG, 11.6 APG (led league), All-Star. Now paired with AJ Dybantsa (2026 #1 pick) + Anthony Davis. If healthy, assists title contender.
The "Really Damn Good" Tier: Ranked 11-16
| Rank | Player | Team | Key Stat | Why They’re Here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Dylan Harper | San Antonio Spurs | 50.5% FG as rookie | Playoff star (27 pts/10 rebs in 1st round). Ahead of teammate Fox! |
| 12 | LaMelo Ball | Minnesota Timberwolves | 7.1 APG, 36.8% 3PT | Finally healthy (72 games). Paired with Anthony Edwards = highlight factory. |
| 13 | Darryn Peterson | Utah Jazz | 23 PPG in Summer League | Rookie — compared to "6’6" Kyrie Irving." High upside, health questions. |
| 14 | De’Aaron Fox | San Antonio Spurs | 18.6 PPG, 48.6% FG | Playoff disaster (29% 3PT, clutch turnovers). Still elite speed. Minutes split with Harper? |
| 15 | Derrick White | Boston Celtics | 1.3 BPG (as 6’4" guard!) | Elite defender (1st Team All-D). Shot 32.7% 3PT last year — expect bounce back. |
| 16 | Kyrie Irving | Dallas Mavericks | Returning from ACL tear | 34 years old. Skill set ages well (not athletic-dependent). Pairing with Lively/Gafford = lob city. |
The Solid Starters: Ranked 17-22
17. Damian Lillard (Portland) — 36, Achilles tear, Hall of Famer. History says unlikely All-Star return.
18. Darius Garland (LA Clippers) — 40% 3PT shooter, free from Donovan Mitchell. Health = Top 10 potential.
19. Josh Giddey (Chicago) — 17/8/9 stat line (only 12 ever!). Elite rebounder/passer. Defense & athleticism lacking.
20. Ja Morant (Portland) — HIGH RISK/HIGH REWARD. 79 games in 3 years. Explosive but 23.5% 3PT. Off-court issues.
21. Payton Pritchard (Boston) — $7.7M salary (steal!). 17 PPG, 37.7% 3PT, 50 starts. 6th Man of Year → starter.
22. Immanuel Quickley (Toronto) — 17.3 PPG/6 APG first 63 games. Injury derailed season. Quick trigger, smooth game.
The Developing & Veteran Tier: Ranked 23-27
| Rank | Player | Team | Situation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Jeremiah Fears | New Orleans | 19-year-old rookie! Youngest guard ever with 40-pt game (April 7, 2026). Tunnel vision, needs 3PT work. |
| 24 | Anthony Black | Orlando | 6’7" versatile PG. Broke out (15 PPG). 33% 3PT holds back ceiling. May pass Suggs. |
| 25 | Jalen Suggs | Orlando | Elite defender (2nd Team All-D). Availability crisis: 56% games last 2 yrs. Offense still raw. |
| 26 | Jrue Holiday | Portland | 36 years old. Still +10 pts/100 poss impact. One of THREE PGs on Blazers — trade likely. |
| 27 | Fred VanVleet | Houston | 32, missed ALL last year (ACL + meniscus). Champion, floor general. If healthy → Houston contenders. |
Just Missed the Cut (Honorable Mentions)
- Kingston Flemings
- Andrew Nembhard
- Davion Mitchell
NOTE: These are still NBA starting-caliber point guards who barely missed Top 27. Position is that deep!
Summary: The Big Picture
Tier Breakdown:
- Tier 1 (Top 5): MVP candidates / Franchise faces
- Tier 2 (6-10): All-Stars / All-NBA locks when healthy
- Tier 3 (11-16): Borderline All-Stars / High-end starters
- Tier 4 (17-22): Solid starters / Specialized elite skills
- Tier 5 (23-27): Developing youngsters / Declining veterans
Key Storylines for 2026-27:
- Health Comebacks: Haliburton (Achilles), Irving (ACL), Lillard (Achilles), VanVleet (ACL), Quickley
- Rookie Sensations: Fears (NO), Peterson (UTA), Harper (SA) — all teenagers starting
- Portland Logjam: Holiday, Morant, Lillard = 3 PGs, 1 ball — trades incoming
- San Antonio Duo: Fox + Harper = minutes battle
- Curry’s Last Dance? Age 38, highest paid, needs Butler healthy
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: Why is Stephen Curry only #6? He’s the greatest shooter ever!
A: This ranks projected 2026-27 performance, not career achievement. At 38, coming off a 43-game season, with defensive limitations, the 5 ahead are younger, healthier, and more two-way dominant right now.
Q: How can a rookie (Fears) be ranked above veterans like Holiday and VanVleet?
A: Upside + cost control. Fears showed historic flashes (youngest 40-pt game ever by a guard) on a $7.9M contract. Veterans are declining, expensive, and/or injured. Teams dream of finding a star on a rookie deal.
Q: What does "BPM" and "VORP" mean in the article?
A:
- BPM (Box Plus/Minus): Estimates how many points better a player makes their team per 100 possessions vs. average.
- VORP (Value Over Replacement Player): Wins contributed above a "replacement level" bench player.
- Simple version: Positive = Good. Higher = Better.
Q: Why are there THREE point guards on Portland?
A: Blazers rebuilt around youth, then added veterans (Holiday, Lillard) and traded for Morant. Impossible to play all three. Expect 1-2 moved before trade deadline.
Q: Is this ranking guaranteed to be right?
A: Absolutely not! It’s an educated guess in August. Injuries, trades, coaching changes, and breakout/slump seasons will shuffle this completely by April 2027. That’s why we do it every year!
Final Thought
The point guard position in 2026-27 is historically loaded. We have:
- 2 active MVPs (SGA, Dončić)
- 1 Finals MVP (Brunson)
- 1 Clutch POY (Curry)
- Multiple 25+ PPG scorers
- Teenage phenoms already dropping 40
Buckle up, basketball fans. The conductor position has never been this talented.
Want to track updates? Click any player’s "news & rumors" link in the original article. Rankings will shift — that’s the beauty of the NBA!