The shooting guards’ main job is to shoot and score the basketball. We’ve seen some of the most gifted scorers in NBA history play the shooting guard position.
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Michael Jordan is the greatest shooting guard we’ve ever seen. He made basketball change from being a big man-dominant game to a guard-focused league.
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Kobe Bryant took what Jordan started and enhanced it further in the 2000s. Now today, we take a look at which five shooting guards are the best heading into the 2025-26 NBA season.
5. Devin Booker
Devin Booker became a household name in 2017 when he scored 70 points in a loss to the Boston Celtics. Yes, Booker sure can score, as he averaged 25.6 points per game last season.
The problem with Booker is that his scoring doesn’t result in winning. As I mentioned, when Booker scored 70 points, his team lost.
Despite having a good season this past year, Booker’s Phoenix Suns won just 36 games, missing the playoffs. If Booker wants to move up on our list, he will have to impact winning much better than he is now.
4. Jalen Williams
Jalen Williams is on cloud nine recently. He won an NBA championship and scored 40 points in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Now, Williams has placed fourth on our list of the top five shooting guards for the 2025-26 NBA season.
Williams averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game last season. On top of his scoring, Williams is an excellent defender, earning a spot on the All-Defensive 2nd Team.
Most importantly, Williams fit perfectly next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, helping the Thunder to become NBA champions.
3. Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown proved his value on the Boston Celtics in 2024. He led the Celtics to an NBA championship, averaging 22.2 points per game during the NBA Finals.
Brown’s play earned him the Finals MVP award, and he was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP, as well. Brown will have to step his game up even more this season as Jayson Tatum is expected to miss it entirely due to tearing his Achilles tendon.
2. Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell has found a home in Cleveland after being traded from the Utah Jazz in 2022. Mitchell averaged 24.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game last season, while earning 1st Team All-NBA honors.
The Cavaliers won 64 games this past season, the best in the Eastern Conference, and it was largely thanks to Mitchell’s play. Cleveland fell apart in the postseason, but it wasn’t because of Mitchell.
He averaged 29.6 points per game in the playoffs. This includes scoring 48 and 43 points in back-to-back games.
Mitchell will need some help from his teammates if the Cavaliers plan to make some real noise in the postseason this year.
1. Anthony Edwards
There’s no doubt who is the best shooting guard in the NBA today. Anthony Edwards is a dynamic player who really hasn’t come close to hitting his true potential.
Edwards was one of just five players last season to put up averages of 27/5/4. He averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals, per game. Edwards’ play earned him a spot on the All-NBA 2nd Team.
After a somewhat disappointing season, winning 49 games and finishing in the sixth seed, Edwards led Minnesota to the Western Conference Finals for the second year in a row. As mentioned, Edwards is yet to hit his peak; when he does, the NBA will be in trouble.
There you have it, the top five shooting guards heading into the 2025-26 season. Which shooting guard will step up and lead their team to an NBA title?
