Discussion 2023-2024 NBA RDT Dream Team Discussion: GW23 Weds 10th April 9:00am AEST
- Thread starter tso
- Start date
This is where such an incredibly weak rookie class starts to hurt, going to feel really weird after last year's group were putting up starter numbers for most of the season and getting that cash gen really humming!
I forget on the price changes on this, is it after 3 games or 3 game weeks that they start moving? Pretty sure it's games but just wanted to confirm!
I forget on the price changes on this, is it after 3 games or 3 game weeks that they start moving? Pretty sure it's games but just wanted to confirm!
So threw up a first draft, this is as much of a G&R strategy as I could really come up with. There definitely could be a midprice madness team this year that actually wins things with how bad the rookies do look...
This was a lot harder than last couple of years to throw together, doesn't help that almost all my favourite premiums have the 2 game week to start with...
Note that no consideration on rookie starters has been applied, more structural than anything so if guys have 2 games and I have them on court, ignore it
Guards
Mitchell - Generally starts strong, perfect fixture to start so hoping no trade here basically, always high risk with a guy like Mitchell.
SGA - Solid fixture to start and is a stud. Basically the extra game in week 1, I think Giddey out is good for him and Hartenstein shouldn't be a big point taker. Chet progress probably the biggest question but do very different things.
Castle/Sheppard/Carrington/Dillingham - I can't say I like any of these 4 but I just can't find the other options to really change it and kind of seems like this is a structural path that will be walked. Knecht and Ellis also definitely in my consideration and will be hawking for anything else.
Watchlist: Doncic (duh), Lillard (preseason), Cunningham (talent), Paul (underpriced), Harden (bigger role), Haliburton (underpriced), Young (bigger role), Simmons (preseason warrior), Giddey (role?), Scoot (improvement), Hield (perfect fit if wins starting gig), Green (minutes), Braun (minutes). Probably a few others as well (the obvious premiums not named for example).
SF
Barnes - Rate him and everyone above him has some very big questions on them except maybe Giannis who is really in a different pricing category anyway. Throw in great early fixture.
Miller - Not in love with this as Ball will hurt him a lot but he's an excellent prospect and hoping natural improvement can trump the worse situation. It's also a barren wasteland for options...
Buzelis - Chance to play basically... There's not even a lot of alternatives here right now.
PF
Wemby - Don't care he has two games, the way he finished last year he's underpriced, he very easily could be the #1 scorer this year and he's got a great schedule after the 2 game week so will cop that spot to have more trades free for corrections if needed.
Risacher - I think he's a pretty rubbish option but he's the best of an incredibly bad bunch.
Sarr - He's even worse and yet still looks better than the rest. There's probably a case for just trashing this spot to a base price guy to upgrade elsewhere...
C
Ayton - Will be my unique play, he finished last year on an absolute tear, is right around the age that most centers start to really explode and I dare say after drafting Clingan they've pretty much given him the "make it your team or create some trade value" chat. Doesn't help that Embiid is a forced trade after week 1, Jokic/Sabonis have a 2 game week and Davis is on the 3/3 schedule that isn't ideal. Portland a great first 3 weeks so will basically either make me some cash or end my season
Edey - There's a case for structuring to start him, depending how productive he is through preseason and if he looks locked into starting C role, then I'll consider it. I have some doubts though as JJJ at center has always been a power lineup for them and I have no idea how that team is going to work in the modern game with Edey/JJ/Morant/Smart all as non-shooters, it almost feels like they've gone with a full zag into old school inside only when every other team is pure outside and the metrics have pretty much crowned the latter as by far a better strategy.
Tough slot otherwise.
Always interested in feedback as I can't say I've been following the o***eason remotely closely this year.
This was a lot harder than last couple of years to throw together, doesn't help that almost all my favourite premiums have the 2 game week to start with...
Note that no consideration on rookie starters has been applied, more structural than anything so if guys have 2 games and I have them on court, ignore it
Guards
Mitchell - Generally starts strong, perfect fixture to start so hoping no trade here basically, always high risk with a guy like Mitchell.
SGA - Solid fixture to start and is a stud. Basically the extra game in week 1, I think Giddey out is good for him and Hartenstein shouldn't be a big point taker. Chet progress probably the biggest question but do very different things.
Castle/Sheppard/Carrington/Dillingham - I can't say I like any of these 4 but I just can't find the other options to really change it and kind of seems like this is a structural path that will be walked. Knecht and Ellis also definitely in my consideration and will be hawking for anything else.
Watchlist: Doncic (duh), Lillard (preseason), Cunningham (talent), Paul (underpriced), Harden (bigger role), Haliburton (underpriced), Young (bigger role), Simmons (preseason warrior), Giddey (role?), Scoot (improvement), Hield (perfect fit if wins starting gig), Green (minutes), Braun (minutes). Probably a few others as well (the obvious premiums not named for example).
SF
Barnes - Rate him and everyone above him has some very big questions on them except maybe Giannis who is really in a different pricing category anyway. Throw in great early fixture.
Miller - Not in love with this as Ball will hurt him a lot but he's an excellent prospect and hoping natural improvement can trump the worse situation. It's also a barren wasteland for options...
Buzelis - Chance to play basically... There's not even a lot of alternatives here right now.
PF
Wemby - Don't care he has two games, the way he finished last year he's underpriced, he very easily could be the #1 scorer this year and he's got a great schedule after the 2 game week so will cop that spot to have more trades free for corrections if needed.
Risacher - I think he's a pretty rubbish option but he's the best of an incredibly bad bunch.
Sarr - He's even worse and yet still looks better than the rest. There's probably a case for just trashing this spot to a base price guy to upgrade elsewhere...
C
Ayton - Will be my unique play, he finished last year on an absolute tear, is right around the age that most centers start to really explode and I dare say after drafting Clingan they've pretty much given him the "make it your team or create some trade value" chat. Doesn't help that Embiid is a forced trade after week 1, Jokic/Sabonis have a 2 game week and Davis is on the 3/3 schedule that isn't ideal. Portland a great first 3 weeks so will basically either make me some cash or end my season
Edey - There's a case for structuring to start him, depending how productive he is through preseason and if he looks locked into starting C role, then I'll consider it. I have some doubts though as JJJ at center has always been a power lineup for them and I have no idea how that team is going to work in the modern game with Edey/JJ/Morant/Smart all as non-shooters, it almost feels like they've gone with a full zag into old school inside only when every other team is pure outside and the metrics have pretty much crowned the latter as by far a better strategy.
Tough slot otherwise.
Always interested in feedback as I can't say I've been following the o***eason remotely closely this year.
So threw up a first draft, this is as much of a G&R strategy as I could really come up with. There definitely could be a midprice madness team this year that actually wins things with how bad the rookies do look...
This was a lot harder than last couple of years to throw together, doesn't help that almost all my favourite premiums have the 2 game week to start with...
Note that no consideration on rookie starters has been applied, more structural than anything so if guys have 2 games and I have them on court, ignore it
View attachment 79095
Guards
Mitchell - Generally starts strong, perfect fixture to start so hoping no trade here basically, always high risk with a guy like Mitchell.
SGA - Solid fixture to start and is a stud. Basically the extra game in week 1, I think Giddey out is good for him and Hartenstein shouldn't be a big point taker. Chet progress probably the biggest question but do very different things.
Castle/Sheppard/Carrington/Dillingham - I can't say I like any of these 4 but I just can't find the other options to really change it and kind of seems like this is a structural path that will be walked. Knecht and Ellis also definitely in my consideration and will be hawking for anything else.
Watchlist: Doncic (duh), Lillard (preseason), Cunningham (talent), Paul (underpriced), Harden (bigger role), Haliburton (underpriced), Young (bigger role), Simmons (preseason warrior), Giddey (role?), Scoot (improvement), Hield (perfect fit if wins starting gig), Green (minutes), Braun (minutes). Probably a few others as well (the obvious premiums not named for example).
SF
Barnes - Rate him and everyone above him has some very big questions on them except maybe Giannis who is really in a different pricing category anyway. Throw in great early fixture.
Miller - Not in love with this as Ball will hurt him a lot but he's an excellent prospect and hoping natural improvement can trump the worse situation. It's also a barren wasteland for options...
Buzelis - Chance to play basically... There's not even a lot of alternatives here right now.
PF
Wemby - Don't care he has two games, the way he finished last year he's underpriced, he very easily could be the #1 scorer this year and he's got a great schedule after the 2 game week so will cop that spot to have more trades free for corrections if needed.
Risacher - I think he's a pretty rubbish option but he's the best of an incredibly bad bunch.
Sarr - He's even worse and yet still looks better than the rest. There's probably a case for just trashing this spot to a base price guy to upgrade elsewhere...
C
Ayton - Will be my unique play, he finished last year on an absolute tear, is right around the age that most centers start to really explode and I dare say after drafting Clingan they've pretty much given him the "make it your team or create some trade value" chat. Doesn't help that Embiid is a forced trade after week 1, Jokic/Sabonis have a 2 game week and Davis is on the 3/3 schedule that isn't ideal. Portland a great first 3 weeks so will basically either make me some cash or end my season
Edey - There's a case for structuring to start him, depending how productive he is through preseason and if he looks locked into starting C role, then I'll consider it. I have some doubts though as JJJ at center has always been a power lineup for them and I have no idea how that team is going to work in the modern game with Edey/JJ/Morant/Smart all as non-shooters, it almost feels like they've gone with a full zag into old school inside only when every other team is pure outside and the metrics have pretty much crowned the latter as by far a better strategy.
Tough slot otherwise.
Always interested in feedback as I can't say I've been following the o***eason remotely closely this year.
This was a lot harder than last couple of years to throw together, doesn't help that almost all my favourite premiums have the 2 game week to start with...
Note that no consideration on rookie starters has been applied, more structural than anything so if guys have 2 games and I have them on court, ignore it
View attachment 79095
Guards
Mitchell - Generally starts strong, perfect fixture to start so hoping no trade here basically, always high risk with a guy like Mitchell.
SGA - Solid fixture to start and is a stud. Basically the extra game in week 1, I think Giddey out is good for him and Hartenstein shouldn't be a big point taker. Chet progress probably the biggest question but do very different things.
Castle/Sheppard/Carrington/Dillingham - I can't say I like any of these 4 but I just can't find the other options to really change it and kind of seems like this is a structural path that will be walked. Knecht and Ellis also definitely in my consideration and will be hawking for anything else.
Watchlist: Doncic (duh), Lillard (preseason), Cunningham (talent), Paul (underpriced), Harden (bigger role), Haliburton (underpriced), Young (bigger role), Simmons (preseason warrior), Giddey (role?), Scoot (improvement), Hield (perfect fit if wins starting gig), Green (minutes), Braun (minutes). Probably a few others as well (the obvious premiums not named for example).
SF
Barnes - Rate him and everyone above him has some very big questions on them except maybe Giannis who is really in a different pricing category anyway. Throw in great early fixture.
Miller - Not in love with this as Ball will hurt him a lot but he's an excellent prospect and hoping natural improvement can trump the worse situation. It's also a barren wasteland for options...
Buzelis - Chance to play basically... There's not even a lot of alternatives here right now.
PF
Wemby - Don't care he has two games, the way he finished last year he's underpriced, he very easily could be the #1 scorer this year and he's got a great schedule after the 2 game week so will cop that spot to have more trades free for corrections if needed.
Risacher - I think he's a pretty rubbish option but he's the best of an incredibly bad bunch.
Sarr - He's even worse and yet still looks better than the rest. There's probably a case for just trashing this spot to a base price guy to upgrade elsewhere...
C
Ayton - Will be my unique play, he finished last year on an absolute tear, is right around the age that most centers start to really explode and I dare say after drafting Clingan they've pretty much given him the "make it your team or create some trade value" chat. Doesn't help that Embiid is a forced trade after week 1, Jokic/Sabonis have a 2 game week and Davis is on the 3/3 schedule that isn't ideal. Portland a great first 3 weeks so will basically either make me some cash or end my season
Edey - There's a case for structuring to start him, depending how productive he is through preseason and if he looks locked into starting C role, then I'll consider it. I have some doubts though as JJJ at center has always been a power lineup for them and I have no idea how that team is going to work in the modern game with Edey/JJ/Morant/Smart all as non-shooters, it almost feels like they've gone with a full zag into old school inside only when every other team is pure outside and the metrics have pretty much crowned the latter as by far a better strategy.
Tough slot otherwise.
Always interested in feedback as I can't say I've been following the o***eason remotely closely this year.
- I currently have Wemby as my first trade in target as his price won't change after round 1
- I also have gone for quite a few less of the higher owned rookies ... want to see their role before jumping on them ...
Last edited:
Looks like the first player price changes will occur after the first 3 weeks, then weekly after that, as long as the player has played 3 games.
Sportsdeck's "Help & Game Info"
FAQs
Q: How do you calculate player prices and how often do players' values change?
A: Each player's price will vary based on their most current performance from week to week. A rolling average is used to determine how a player's value changes and they must have played at least 3 games in order for their value to increase or decrease. Therefore you will see the first player price changes after the first 3 weeks of play and weekly thereafter.
Sportsdeck's "Help & Game Info"
FAQs
Q: How do you calculate player prices and how often do players' values change?
A: Each player's price will vary based on their most current performance from week to week. A rolling average is used to determine how a player's value changes and they must have played at least 3 games in order for their value to increase or decrease. Therefore you will see the first player price changes after the first 3 weeks of play and weekly thereafter.
- Joined
- 3 Jul 2017
- Messages
- 38,963
- Likes
- 126,636
- AFL Club
- Port Adelaide
Giddey out of my team for now ..
- don't like starting a player who may be managed or have a potential flare up ...
https://www.sportingnews.com/au/nba/news/josh-giddey-injury-bulls-olympics/84133933cb64cf5768a56282
- don't like starting a player who may be managed or have a potential flare up ...
https://www.sportingnews.com/au/nba/news/josh-giddey-injury-bulls-olympics/84133933cb64cf5768a56282
Best NBA point guards for 2024-25: Ranking all 30 starters from Luka Doncic to Jalen Brunson and Stephen Curry (msn.com)
Best NBA point guards for 2024-25: Ranking all 30 starters from Luka Doncic to Jalen Brunson and Stephen Curry
Story by Stephen Noh • 44min
Which team has the best starting point guard, and which one has the worst? The Sporting News is ranking every team's starter at each position for the 2024-25 NBA season.
The bar has never been higher to be a starting point guard in the league.
Lead ball-handlers who can create for themselves and others are what drive most NBA offenses. Seventeen of the top 18 point guards on this list have made at least one All-Star game. The lone exception, Jamal Murray, is widely considered to be one of the best players to never make one.
Here are all 30 projected starters at point guard for the 2024-25 season, ranked 1 to 30.
NBA point guard rankings 2024-25
1. Luka Doncic, Mavericks
This is Doncic's first season atop this list. He may be holding onto the top spot for a while.
Doncic earned his first scoring title last season, averaging 33.9 points per game to go along with his 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds. That helped him earn his fifth consecutive First Team All-NBA selection and finish third in the MVP race. He was unstoppable in leading the Mavericks to a surprise Finals berth before running out of gas against the Celtics.
Doncic's 3-point shot has become deadly — he connected on a career-high 38.2 percent of his looks last year. That, combined with his unstoppable 1-on-1 scoring and unreal passing, makes him one of the toughest covers of all time.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
Gilgeous-Alexander finished runner-up in the 2024 MVP race after averaging 30.1 points, 6.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game. The crafty guard led the league in drives per game for the fourth consecutive year, finding a way to slither into the lane with his herky-jerky motion.
Gilgeous-Alexander has become a much-improved defender, garnering some All-Defensive consideration after averaging 2.0 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. He has great anticipation in the passing lanes, and he's now a good two-way player.
3. Jalen Brunson, Knicks
There's no point guard with a deeper bag than Brunson. He uses every move in the book to get to his favorite spots. He's deadly from the midrange, he hit 40.1 percent of his 3s last season and he is a good finisher at the rim.
Despite standing at only 6-2, Brunson loves initiating contact. He's comfortable working in the post and while he can get picked on defensively, he competes hard on that end. He was No. 2 in the league in charges drawn last season.
4. Devin Booker, Suns
Booker earned Third Team All-NBA honors after averaging 27.1 points, 6.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game for the Suns. He's an electric scorer who is dangerous from everywhere on the floor, and he has upped his defense in recent years.
5. Stephen Curry, Warriors
Curry is still arguably the greatest shooter in the league. He led the league with 357 3-pointers made last season, connecting on 40.8 percent of his attempts. His 92.3 percent from the line was No. 2 behind former teammate Klay Thompson.
Curry was the No. 1 player on this list last season, but age has started to catch up to him. He always seems to miss a handful of games and entering his age 36 season, that trend will likely continue. He does save his best for the end of games — he won his first Clutch Player of the Year award last season and was fantastic in the last two games of the Olympics.
6. Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
There isn't a better player in transition than Haliburton. The Pacers have leaned into his free-flowing offensive capabilities, finishing as the No. 2 offense behind the Celtics last season.
Haliburton has great range on his 3-pointer and he's one of the best passers in the league. His 10.9 assists per game led the NBA last season. He's also turned himself into a scoring threat, scoring 20.1 points per game and helping to lead the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2023-24.
7. Damian Lillard, Bucks
Lillard is coming off a down year by his standards. His averages of 24.3 points, 7.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds still don't look too bad, but he's a better shooter than the 35.4 percent he canned from 3. He proved that by winning the All-Star Weekend's 3-Point Contest in convincing fashion.
Lillard should be better with a full training camp to acclimate to Doc Rivers and the Bucks. He did show flashes of brilliance, topping 40 points three times last year.
8. Ja Morant, Grizzlies
Morant has fallen off the collective radar after playing in only nine games last season and facing off-court issues. But he was excellent in that short healthy stretch, averaging 25.1 points and 8.1 assists per game. He's an athletic freak who is one of the best players in the league going downhill.
The Grizzlies were a mess last season, but a healthier roster should have Morant back in the discussion of top point guards in the league.
9. De'Aaron Fox, Kings
Fox has gotten better every year that he's been in the league. He averaged a career-high 26.6 points per game last season, driven in large part by his much-improved 36.9 percent from 3. That shooting has made him even tougher to guard when he uses his blazing speed in transition or off screens.
Fox also made great strides as a defender, leading the league with 2.0 steals per game. He's one of the more underappreciated stars in the league.
10. Tyrese Maxey, 76ers
Maxey had a breakout 2023-24 season for the Sixers, averaging 25.9 points and 6.2 assists per game as the new lead ball-handler for the team. He's a great shooter who developed quick chemistry with Joel Embiid to form one of the best pick-and-roll duos in the league.
11. Jamal Murray, Nuggets
12. Jrue Holiday, Celtics
13. Trae Young, Hawks
14. James Harden, Clippers
15. LaMelo Ball, Hornets
Best NBA point guards for 2024-25: Ranking all 30 starters from Luka Doncic to Jalen Brunson and Stephen Curry
Story by Stephen Noh • 44min
Which team has the best starting point guard, and which one has the worst? The Sporting News is ranking every team's starter at each position for the 2024-25 NBA season.
The bar has never been higher to be a starting point guard in the league.
Lead ball-handlers who can create for themselves and others are what drive most NBA offenses. Seventeen of the top 18 point guards on this list have made at least one All-Star game. The lone exception, Jamal Murray, is widely considered to be one of the best players to never make one.
Here are all 30 projected starters at point guard for the 2024-25 season, ranked 1 to 30.
NBA point guard rankings 2024-25
1. Luka Doncic, Mavericks
This is Doncic's first season atop this list. He may be holding onto the top spot for a while.
Doncic earned his first scoring title last season, averaging 33.9 points per game to go along with his 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds. That helped him earn his fifth consecutive First Team All-NBA selection and finish third in the MVP race. He was unstoppable in leading the Mavericks to a surprise Finals berth before running out of gas against the Celtics.
Doncic's 3-point shot has become deadly — he connected on a career-high 38.2 percent of his looks last year. That, combined with his unstoppable 1-on-1 scoring and unreal passing, makes him one of the toughest covers of all time.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
Gilgeous-Alexander finished runner-up in the 2024 MVP race after averaging 30.1 points, 6.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game. The crafty guard led the league in drives per game for the fourth consecutive year, finding a way to slither into the lane with his herky-jerky motion.
Gilgeous-Alexander has become a much-improved defender, garnering some All-Defensive consideration after averaging 2.0 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. He has great anticipation in the passing lanes, and he's now a good two-way player.
3. Jalen Brunson, Knicks
There's no point guard with a deeper bag than Brunson. He uses every move in the book to get to his favorite spots. He's deadly from the midrange, he hit 40.1 percent of his 3s last season and he is a good finisher at the rim.
Despite standing at only 6-2, Brunson loves initiating contact. He's comfortable working in the post and while he can get picked on defensively, he competes hard on that end. He was No. 2 in the league in charges drawn last season.
4. Devin Booker, Suns
Booker earned Third Team All-NBA honors after averaging 27.1 points, 6.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game for the Suns. He's an electric scorer who is dangerous from everywhere on the floor, and he has upped his defense in recent years.
5. Stephen Curry, Warriors
Curry is still arguably the greatest shooter in the league. He led the league with 357 3-pointers made last season, connecting on 40.8 percent of his attempts. His 92.3 percent from the line was No. 2 behind former teammate Klay Thompson.
Curry was the No. 1 player on this list last season, but age has started to catch up to him. He always seems to miss a handful of games and entering his age 36 season, that trend will likely continue. He does save his best for the end of games — he won his first Clutch Player of the Year award last season and was fantastic in the last two games of the Olympics.
6. Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
There isn't a better player in transition than Haliburton. The Pacers have leaned into his free-flowing offensive capabilities, finishing as the No. 2 offense behind the Celtics last season.
Haliburton has great range on his 3-pointer and he's one of the best passers in the league. His 10.9 assists per game led the NBA last season. He's also turned himself into a scoring threat, scoring 20.1 points per game and helping to lead the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2023-24.
7. Damian Lillard, Bucks
Lillard is coming off a down year by his standards. His averages of 24.3 points, 7.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds still don't look too bad, but he's a better shooter than the 35.4 percent he canned from 3. He proved that by winning the All-Star Weekend's 3-Point Contest in convincing fashion.
Lillard should be better with a full training camp to acclimate to Doc Rivers and the Bucks. He did show flashes of brilliance, topping 40 points three times last year.
8. Ja Morant, Grizzlies
Morant has fallen off the collective radar after playing in only nine games last season and facing off-court issues. But he was excellent in that short healthy stretch, averaging 25.1 points and 8.1 assists per game. He's an athletic freak who is one of the best players in the league going downhill.
The Grizzlies were a mess last season, but a healthier roster should have Morant back in the discussion of top point guards in the league.
9. De'Aaron Fox, Kings
Fox has gotten better every year that he's been in the league. He averaged a career-high 26.6 points per game last season, driven in large part by his much-improved 36.9 percent from 3. That shooting has made him even tougher to guard when he uses his blazing speed in transition or off screens.
Fox also made great strides as a defender, leading the league with 2.0 steals per game. He's one of the more underappreciated stars in the league.
10. Tyrese Maxey, 76ers
Maxey had a breakout 2023-24 season for the Sixers, averaging 25.9 points and 6.2 assists per game as the new lead ball-handler for the team. He's a great shooter who developed quick chemistry with Joel Embiid to form one of the best pick-and-roll duos in the league.
11. Jamal Murray, Nuggets
12. Jrue Holiday, Celtics
13. Trae Young, Hawks
14. James Harden, Clippers
15. LaMelo Ball, Hornets
- Murray averaged 21.2 points and 6.5 assists per game as Denver's No. 2 option. He hit some big shots in the playo***, as has become the norm for him, but nagging injuries limited his effectiveness.
- Holiday has become a rock-solid role player for the Celtics. He's one of the best corner 3-point shooters in the league and a terrific All-Defensive guard who will take on any assignment.
- Young is a wildly productive point guard who averaged 25.7 points and 10.8 assists last season. The departure of Dejounte Murray should allow him to have the ball in his hands even more for a retooled Hawks team.
- Harden's scoring took a big step back last season. His 16.6 points per game were the lowest since his sop****re season as a reserve on the Thunder. He's still a great facilitator and 3-point shooter who will find ways to get to the line.
- Ball has not been able to stay healthy, playing in just 58 games over the past two seasons. He's been great when he has been available, averaging 23.9 points and 8.0 assists last season.
16. Cade Cunningham, Pistons
17. Fred VanVleet, Rockets
18. Darius Garland, Cavaliers
19. Dejounte Murray, Pelicans
20. Jalen Suggs, Orlando
21. Immanuel Quickley, Raptors
22. Mike Conley, Timberwolves
23. Terry Rozier, Heat
24. D'Angelo Russell, Lakers
25. Chris Paul, Spurs
26. Josh Giddey, Bulls
27. Malcolm Brogdon, Wizards
28. Dennis Schroder, Nets
29. Scoot Henderson, Blazers
30. Keyonte George, Jazz
17. Fred VanVleet, Rockets
18. Darius Garland, Cavaliers
19. Dejounte Murray, Pelicans
20. Jalen Suggs, Orlando
- Cunningham averaged 22.7 points and 7.5 assists per game last season. The next step for him is improving his efficiency.
- VanVleet's teams always seem to do a lot better with him on the floor. He helped Houston take a big step forward last season, while the Raptors weren't able to overcome his departure. He's a tough defender and a good 3-point shooter who finds ways to compensate for his lack of height.
- Garland had a bit of a down year last season due in large part to injuries suffered at inopportune times. He's an All-Star talent, though, who can bomb away from 3 and has excellent court vision.
- Murray is in a new home in New Orleans, which may help him unlock more of his potential. He's a good shot creator but he was playing below his defensive capabilities in Atlanta.
- Suggs has turned into one of the best defensive guards in the league. He's tough, gets around screens well and is a ballhawk. He's become a much better 3-point shooter, hitting 39.7 percent from deep last season.
21. Immanuel Quickley, Raptors
22. Mike Conley, Timberwolves
23. Terry Rozier, Heat
24. D'Angelo Russell, Lakers
25. Chris Paul, Spurs
- Quickley gets to star in a bigger role in Toronto now. He's a smart help defender and a do-everything guard whose one weakness is getting all the way to the rim.
- Conley remains one of the smartest guards in the league and a great 3-point shooter even entering his age 37 season.
- Rozier is a good shot creator who averaged 19.8 points per game last season. Injuries prevented him from finding his footing in Miami last season.
- Russell is capable of getting hot from 3 and putting up big scoring outputs, but his defense can be problematic. He has had issues because of that in the playo***.
- Paul is still a genius passer and a midrange master, but entering his age 39 season, he can't be counted on for major minutes.
26. Josh Giddey, Bulls
27. Malcolm Brogdon, Wizards
28. Dennis Schroder, Nets
29. Scoot Henderson, Blazers
30. Keyonte George, Jazz
- Giddey gets a bigger role in Chicago to show he can be a lead ball-handler in the league. He's got great passing vision and rebounding. Turnovers, poor efficiency, bad defense and a shaky jumper all remain question marks.
- Brogdon is two seasons removed from winning the Sixth Man of the Year award. Injuries will always be an issue for him, but he's a great shooter and smart decision-maker.
- Schroder has a blazing first step and can be a defensive menace. Attitude questions and a streaky jump shot are lingering issues.
- Henderson didn't have the rookie year that many had hoped for, but he's still a great athlete who showed flashes of very high potential.
- While George is still learning how to play the point guard role in the NBA, he had a solid rookie year in which he averaged 13.0 points and 4.4 assists per game.