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, starting with the point guards.
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.
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There are different flavors of point guards to target — the high points + assists guys in the first three rounds and ones who are efficient, rebound well and/or generate more stocks. With the league so guard-centric, it pays to prioritize grabbing a high-usage point guard early because assists become scarce after Tier 4. Of course, you can opt to punt assists and target the score-first type guards who can help you lean into other categories of interest.
Tier 1: The elites
1. Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks
2. Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
These two MVP candidates are a head above other PGs. Luka is a 30-point triple-double threat every night and made strides in knocking down free throws and upping his steal rate last year. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a flawless fantasy PG because he checks every box for stat production. He’s one of the best blocking guards and is as efficient as they come. Both should be top-five picks in every format.
Tier 2: 20 & 10 potential
1. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
2. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
3. James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers
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Haliburton is the odds-on favorite to lead the league in assists, and his efficiency, defense and scoring make him near elite status. The only things capping his ceiling are injuries and, occasionally, Pascal Siakam.
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Trae Young was the only player to average at least 25 points and 10 assists last season. With Dejounte Murray gone and Atlanta stuck in neutral, Young will put up big numbers in his seventh season.
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James Harden is one of the biggest risers of the offseason. Paul George’s departure and Kawhi Leonard’s health put Harden in a position to thrive in fantasy. Harden should revert to a far more aggressive offensive approach. Age aside, he’s a late-first, early second-round pick.
Tier 3: All-Star caliber anchors
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
2. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
3. Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks
4. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
5. De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
6. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
7. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
8. Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets
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Stephen Curry has a safe floor at 26-5-5 and remains a category winner in 3s and free-throw percentage.
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LaMelo Ball carries considerable injury risk, but he has one of the highest ceilings in this tier. He finally agreed to wear ankle braces, so getting a healthy LaMelo in the mid-to-late second could be good value.
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Lillard’s first season with the Bucks didn’t go well, and his ADP sits near the tail end of the second round. He’s finished as a top-20 player in three of his last four seasons, averaging at least 24/4/7 over that span. Similar to Curry, he can anchor 3s and FT%. Some improved efficiency from the field will bring him right back to his top-20 expectations.
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Don’t be concerned about Brunson’s role or usage dip; he’s the alpha of a championship contender. His heavy minutes and production make him a top-30 player.
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Tyrese Maxey will likely fall to the third round, and that’s perfect. Adding Paul George should help his efficiency and he could flirt with being the next 50/40/90 guy.
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Breakout alert for Cade Cunningham. He’s never finished in the top 80 on a per-game basis, but with a re-tooled roster and more competent coaching staff, Cunningham will have his best season. The top-50 season is coming!
Tier 4: PGs with something to prove
1. Dejounte Murray, New Orleans Pelicans
2. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
3. Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors
4. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
5. Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
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Dejounte Murray is in the driver’s seat of a pretty stacked NO lineup. I’ve been consistent with my views of him, and he offers a safe floor counting stats-wise.
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Few have more to prove this season than Ja Morant and I’d roll the dice on him by the fourth round. He’s an excellent stat stuffer for points leagues but fits well with punt-turnover or punt-free-throw builds in category formats.
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Another breakout candidate is Immanuel Quickley. In 25 games with Scottie Barnes in the lineup, he averaged 17/4/6 with 41/42/82 shooting splits. He’s locked in for a career year as the full-time starter in a fantasy-friendly coaching scheme.
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I’d draft Jamal Murray if he falls, but I’m concerned about his health. He looked terrible in the NBA Playoffs and the Paris Olympics, so hopefully, he’ll be 100% by the start of the season.
Tier 5: Slept on PGs
1. D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers
2. Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics
3. Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic
4. Coby White, Chicago Bulls
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D’Lo has been a top 60 player in three straight seasons, and his ADP is still in the late 70s.
Tier 6: Underrated Point Guards
Jalen Suggs has shown significant improvement in his third NBA season, especially in his 3-point shooting and defensive skills. With Markelle Fultz out, Suggs is set to take on the point guard duties for the Magic and is poised to achieve a career-high in assists. When you consider his ability to make threes and generate steals, he is definitely undervalued.
Meanwhile, Coby White is expected to be the starting point guard for the Bulls, pending any decisions made by coach Billy Donovan during training camp. White had a breakout season last year and is one of the core players that Chicago is looking to build around. He is a solid option for fantasy managers who are not focused on stocks or field goal percentage.
Chris Paul is another player to keep an eye on in this tier. His steals are projected to increase with more playing time, and his assists are always a reliable source of fantasy production. He offers value around pick 100 and can provide a low-end double-double on any given night.
Keyonte George has the most potential among players in this tier. While his efficiency may be a concern, he is expected to see growth in his second year as he takes on a larger role in the offense.
In summary, Tier 6 offers a mix of underrated point guards with the potential to outperform their current ADP. These players can be valuable additions to your fantasy team, especially if you are looking to boost your assists and steals categories. article in a more engaging and informative tone:
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