2024-25 Fantasy Basketball Rankings: Shooting guard draft tiers
The 2024-25 NBA season is fast approaching, so in conjunction with my latest points and category rankings dropping, let's dig into my position-by-position tiers. I've covered the point guards, so today is about the shooting guards.
Draft Tiers: PGs | SGs | SFs | PFs | Cs
NOTE: Only some players will have analysis when listed in the tiers below. Players with multi-position eligibility will only appear in the positional tier where they played the most minutes last season or are projected to play this season.
The shooting guard position is diverse, with elite players like Donovan Mitchell and Anthony Edwards leading the pack. Tiers 3-8 feature a mix of risk-reward players, sleepers, veterans and fringe starters, each with unique strengths and potential fantasy value. While it's not a position you have to commit to in the early rounds (especially In points leagues), be mindful that the deeper you go into the drafts, there are sizable dropoffs in efficiency and usage.
Tier 1: The elite SGs
1. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
3. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
4. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
Donovan Mitchell provided first-round value in points and category formats last year. The biggest driver in his rise up the ranks was due to averaging 1.8 steals per game. Hopefully, the injuries that caused him to miss 27 games are behind him.
Few players are equipped to become the face of the league like Anthony Edwards. I made the case for him being a first-round pick and with Towns gone, he's another step closer. He also has the best track record of availability within this tier - an important factor for fantasy success.
I threw Devin Booker (and Bradley Beal a bit later) into the SG tiers because they'll fluidly play a mix of PG, SG and SF this season. Either way, the Suns bringing in Tyus Jones to run point will suppress Devin Booker's potential assists. However, he'll still produce strong efficiency numbers and is among the top scorers in the league. We could also see an uptick in his three-point shooting, playing more off-ball in Mike Budenholzer's offensive scheme.
Kyrie Irving's ADP is falling into the mid-to-late second round because of concerns over his hand injury, which required surgery in the offseason. He will reportedly be 100% by training camp, so I have no reservations about drafting him anywhere throughout the second round.
Tier 2: Early-round value SGs
1. Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies
2. Derrick White, Boston Celtics
The Grizzlies dealt with a ton of injuries last year, but Desmond Bane put up a career-high in points, assists and 3s per game across 42 games. Memphis will have a helluva bounce-back campaign, and Bane is going almost 20 picks beyond his last year's ADP.
Okay, Derrick White is hardly a buy low, but he's going a couple of picks after Bane in most Yahoo drafts, so he fits within this tier. He doesn't offer the scoring output like the others in this group, but his defense belongs in a tier of its own. If his 3-point shooting and efficiency hold with the stocks, he'll be a top-30 player.
Tier 3: Risk-and-reward SGs
1. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
2. Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns
3. Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs
4. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
The Bulls have Zach LaVine in a tough spot. While he's the top-scoring option with DeMar DeRozan gone, his contract and injury history sour his trade value. Still, I'm confident we'll see a rejuvenated and extra-motivated version of him in the upcoming season. He's looks 100% and played well in the preseason, so his sixth-round ADP isn't bad at all.
Bradley Beal's injury profile is baked into his ADP, so I'm good with picking him around the seventh round based on what I saw when he was healthy last year. Eighteen-five-five with 51/43/81 shooting splits is a more than solid mid-round pick.
Surprise to no one, Devin Vassell performs better with Victor Wembanyama on the floor. The 24-year-old has the highest ceiling of this tier and, after shooting 39.5% on catch-and-shoot 3s, Chris Paul is about to make Vassell's life even better. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait-and-see because Vassell is dealing with a rare foot injury and he won't be re-evaluated until November 1.
Tier 4: Punt FG percentage SGs
1. Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets
2. Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers
3. Jordan Poole, Washington Wizards
4. CJ McCollum, New Orleans Pelicans
5. Bogdan Bogdanović, Atlanta Hawks
6. Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
Cam Thomas is one of my breakout stars this season. He'll be the focal point of the Nets' offense — an underrated playmaker and walking bucket.
Jordan Poole was awful last season, but going 90th in Yahoo drafts is an affordable price to pay to buy back some shares. He's starting at point guard which is far better for generating fantasy points on a rebuilding squad.
Bogdan Bogdanović's ADP is the lowest of this tier and I don't get it. He finished 34th in totals and 63rd in per-game ranks last season and he'll replace Dejounte Murray in the starting lineup. Bogdanović is a steal being drafted in the 100s.
Jalen Green was a league-winner in the final two months without Alperen Şengün on the court. The question is, can he play that way for the entirety of the season? Or is Green always going to be a post-All-Star break heat check? He's worth it for points leagues, but I'd tread lightly in category formats.
Tier 5: Sleeper SGs at ADP
1. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
2. Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz
3. Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City Thunder
4. Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors
5. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
6. Norman Powell, Los Angeles Clippers
7. Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota Timberwolves
8. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons
9. Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers
10. Keon Ellis, Sacramento Kings
The Thunder's defense will be crazy, and adding stock specialist Alex Caruso to the mix will only make it better. I'd expect him to continue his menacing ways, plus Caruso is also a good source of 3s for fantasy managers.
The new-look Warriors are giving their young boys a chance to shine. Podziemski played on the USA Select team this summer and, by all accounts, is set up nicely for the starting SG spot sans Klay Thompson. He's one of the better-rebounding guards in the league, so with some improvement from the line and three-point range, he could easily beat his ADP in the 120s.
The Houston Rockets have the wonderful problem of having too much depth. Thompson's athleticism is off the charts and he proved that, even in a bench role, he could make an impact in fantasy. Thompson averaged 29 fantasy points per game in just 22 minutes per night. He is an outstanding rebounder and steal specialist; if he figures out his shot, he'll be a problem.
In wake of Kawhi Leonard being out indefinitely, Norman Powell's value is up. He's looking at a 30-minute-per-night role now, as the Clippers need his scoring in the starting unit. Powell is a reliable 3-point threat and shoots a high percentage from the field. I'd prefer him over many of the guards going in the 11th round.
You can save Andrew Nembhard for the last couple of rounds of drafts as he emerged as the best Tyrese Haliburton insurance policy in the 2024 NBA playoffs. The efficient guard secured a three-year extension and he'll be on the cusp of top-100 status if he can generate more counting stats.
Keon Ellis posted an Alex Caruso-light line of 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 threes and 2.6 stocks with 48/45/85 shooting splits across the final 23 games last season. He's emerging as a candidate to start at SG, which boosts his fantasy appeal if you're looking for a stocks and 3s guy deep in the draft.
Tier 6: Vets who can still produce
1. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Orlando Magic
2. Caris LeVert, Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia 76ers
4. Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
5. Terance Mann, Los Angeles Clippers
6. Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz
7. Gary Trent Jr., Milwaukee Bucks
Caris LeVert reunites with former head coach Kenny Atkinson and, given the injuries to the Cavs' backcourt over the years, LeVert is more than likely going to be fantasy-relevant again this season.
After a solid first campaign, Kelly Oubre Jr. returned to the Sixers on a new deal. Joel Embiid and Paul George's injury history gives a slight bump to Oubre's value. He averaged 15 points with five boards, 1.5 3s and almost two stocks per contest in 30 minutes per night. He's a last-round flier if you need points and stocks and are punting FG%.
Tier 7: Fringe starters and bench depth
1. Gradey Dick, Toronto Raptors
2. Josh Green, Charlotte Hornets
3. Luguentz Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder
4. Buddy Hield, Golden State Warriors
5. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Minnesota Timberwolves
6. Dalano Banton, Portland Trail Blazers
7. Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets
8. Corey Kispert, Washington Wizards
9. Josh Richardson, Miami Heat
10. Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder
11. Luke Kennard, Memphis Grizzlies
12. Kevin Huerter, Sacramento Kings
13. Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat
14. Ayo Dosunmu, Chicago Bulls
15. Malik Beasley, Detroit Pistons
16. Spencer Dinwiddie, Dallas Mavericks
Gradey Dick averaged 13 points with two 3s per contest in 30 minutes per night during the final 22 games of the '23-24 season. They were not eye-popping numbers by any means, but the rookie played meaningful minutes and improved a lot by the end of the season. His defense needs work, but he's shown he can be a decent 3-point threat on the wing. He is likely an eventual waiver pickup, but still someone to monitor (assuming he starts).
Josh Green looks to be the starting two guard on a much improved Hornets roster. He didn't get a chance to showcase much with the Mavs, and I don't think that changes as the fourth option on offense.
Dalano Banton could be the Blazers' sixth man after making waves off the waiver wire to close out last season. I'd give it some time, but if Scoot Henderson or Anfernee Simons goes down, keep Banton on your watchlist.
Christian Braun's fantasy outlook got murkier when the Nuggets signed Russell Westbrook III this offseason. Braun will be in the rotation, but it becomes increasingly difficult to see him as a fantasy option.
Tier 8: Limited burn SGs
1. Tim Hardaway Jr., Detroit Pistons
2. Jaden Hardy, Dallas Mavericks
3. Julian Strawther, Denver Nuggets
4. Bruce Brown Jr., Toronto Raptors
5. Eric Gordon, Philadelphia 76ers
6. Pat Connaughton, Milwaukee Bucks
7. Aaron Wiggins, Oklahoma City Thunder
8. Tre Mann, Charlotte Hornets
9. Alec Burks, Miami Heat
10. Seth Curry, Charlotte Hornets
