NBA: Ranking all 30 starting point guards for 2018-19

26. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Los Angeles Clippers

A healthy Patrick Beverley might be Doc Rivers‘ preference, allowing the Los Angeles Clippers to ease their new rookie into the action. However, given Beverley’s shaky health, age and the fact that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the floor general of the future, there’s a chance he gets the majority of the starts, especially if the losses start piling up in the tough Western Conference.

Aside from shooting up draft boards with a revelatory freshman year at Kansas, Gilgeous-Alexander looked the part of franchise pillar in NBA Summer League, posting 19.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.

Rookie point guards typically struggle, especially if they’re thrust into the role too soon, but SGA is the rare combination of rookie who looks ready while still having plenty of room to grow. Thanks to the quality talent and mentors around him, as he plays on a team that’s likely heading for the lottery, he should benefit from ample opportunities to grow in a competitive setting.