NBA Player Tiers: Ranking all 30 starting shooting guards
By Cal Durrett
![Devin Booker #1 All NBA (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) Devin Booker #1 All NBA (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/71b12921a47f52541cc02faf77d0ae41b1320f8fc8ff995724c7cee2aa0721bd.jpg)
NBA Tier 3: Borderline all-stars and rising stars
Bradley Beal-Phoenix Suns
Tyler Herro-Miami Heat
Anfernee Simmons-Portland Trail Blazers
Dejounte Murray-Atlanta Hawks
Scottie Barnes- Toronto Raptors
Klay Thompson-Golden State Warriors
Desmond Bane-Memphis Grizzlies
Jalen Green-Houston Rockets
Tyrese Maxey-Philadelphia
Devin Vassell-San Antonio Spurs
Tier 3 is intended for players who have made at least one all-star team or are considered rising stars. Nine players qualify for this tier, and there is a mix of younger and older two-guards.
Beal has fallen off a bit from his peak production in Washington, but now that he is in Phoenix, that might change. His scoring is likely to go down sharing the ball with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, but his efficiency might go way up.
Simons had a breakout season for the Blazers, and his sharpshooting made him an effective offensive threat. With Portland likely to trade Damian Lillard, Simons could feast next season by taking up his share of Dame’s shots. Murray shifted to shooting guard during his first season in Atlanta. His production dropped across the board as a result, but he was more efficient and still a very productive player.
Herro has become undervalued amid trade talks between the Heat and Blazers, but he is still a very good offensive player. He may or may not play on the Heat next season, but no matter where he plays, he will likely play motivated to prove doubters wrong.
Thompson has a resurgent 2022–23 season, his first full season after missing two and a half seasons. He had averaged an impressive 21.9 points per game and led the NBA in threes, and his January was actually the best month of his career. It feels like he is close to being the same player he was before the avalanche of injuries.
Although he had an injury-plagued 2022–23 season, Vassell had a career year for the Spurs. He showed off new dimensions to his game, including creating for himself off the dribble and drilling a high volume of threes.
The results were impressive; he averaged 18.5 points and shot a blistering 38.5% from 3 on 7 attempts per game. With Victor Wembanyama now on the Spurs, Vassell could benefit the most and level up to Tier 2 next season.