Position labels aren’t what they used to be. Point guards score, shooting guards initiate offense and wings occasionally play center because apparently positions are merely suggestions now.
Still, rankings are rankings, and Frank Urbina of HoopsHype put together an extensive list of the NBA’s top 27 shooting guards entering 2026-27.
We trimmed it to the top 25, added some Hoops Wire context and fully expect everyone to agree with every selection. Or something like that.
Here’s the countdown.
25. Reed Sheppard, Rockets
Sheppard jumped from 4.4 points as a rookie to 13.5 last season while shooting 39.4 percent on threes. Year 3 should reveal how high his ceiling goes.
24. Alex Caruso, Thunder
The offense comes and goes, but Caruso remains among the league’s best guard defenders. He also shot 44.6 percent from deep during Oklahoma City’s playoff run.
23. Keaton Wagler, Clippers
The No. 5 overall pick brings size, shooting and scoring craft. Whether his average athleticism limits him against NBA defenders is the rookie-year question.
22. CJ McCollum, Hawks
McCollum slipped below 20 points per game for the first time in more than a decade. He remains a polished scorer and may handle more playmaking after Trae Young’s departure.
21. Cedric Coward, Grizzlies
Coward finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting and projects as a smart, versatile two-way contributor. Memphis could use more of those.
20. Ajay Mitchell, Thunder
Mitchell averaged 13.6 points before raising his production during the playoffs. Oklahoma City’s tax-driven roster changes should create an even larger role.
19. Jalen Green, Suns
Green remains explosive and capable of enormous scoring nights. Health, efficiency and winning impact remain the concerns after he played just 32 games.
18. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Hawks
Alexander-Walker erupted for 20.8 points per game while shooting 39.9 percent from deep. Now he must prove it wasn’t a one-season detour from his previous career.
17. Zach LaVine, Kings
LaVine can still score efficiently at all three levels. His availability, enormous salary and uncertain future in Sacramento drag him down the list.
16. Dejounte Murray, Pelicans
Murray returned from an Achilles injury to play only 14 games. His fit alongside Jeremiah Fears will depend heavily on whether his outside shooting improves.
15. Cason Wallace, Thunder
Wallace earned second-team All-Defense honors and finished seventh in Defensive Player of the Year voting. His modest scoring numbers don’t reflect his overall impact.
14. Ausar Thompson, Pistons
Thompson led the NBA with 2.0 steals per game and is already an elite defender. Shooting 25 percent from three remains a fairly substantial “but.”
13. Keyonte George, Jazz
George averaged 23.6 points and 6.1 assists while making 37.1 percent of his threes. Another season like that will make his next contract considerably more interesting.
12. Josh Hart, Knicks
Hart averaged only 12 points, but also contributed 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and countless winning plays. Some players are more valuable than their scoring column.
11. Desmond Bane, Magic
Bane supplied 20.1 points per game and 39.1-percent perimeter shooting. Orlando needs that offense to translate into a deeper postseason run.
10. Tyler Herro, Bucks
Herro returns home to Milwaukee as the likely No. 1 offensive option. Big numbers should follow, provided he stays healthy.
9. Derrick White, Celtics
White’s shooting fell sharply last season, but his defense remained elite. With Jaylen Brown gone, Boston needs considerably more from him offensively.
8. VJ Edgecombe, 76ers
Edgecombe’s athleticism and two-way upside were evident immediately. Finding enough touches alongside LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid could be tricky.
7. Kon Knueppel, Hornets
Knueppel shot an absurd 42.5 percent from three on nearly eight attempts per game as a rookie. That’s not merely promising. That’s already elite.
6. Stephon Castle, Spurs
Castle averaged 16.7 points and 7.4 assists while improving his outside shot. His ability to defend, create and play multiple roles makes him particularly valuable.
5. Austin Reaves, Lakers
Reaves is coming off career highs of 23.3 points and 5.5 assists. With LeBron gone, he becomes Luka Doncic’s clear running mate.
4. Amen Thompson, Rockets
Thompson can defend nearly anyone, rebound, create and overwhelm opponents athletically. His 21.6-percent three-point shooting is the one giant obstacle separating him from superstardom.
3. Devin Booker, Suns
Booker remains one of basketball’s smoothest scorers and averaged 26.1 points with 6.0 assists. Phoenix’s roster may not be championship caliber, but Booker still is.
2. Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers
Mitchell averaged 27.9 points and finally reached the conference finals. The only unanswered question involves whether he can lead Cleveland all the way.
1. Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
Edwards averaged 28.8 points while shooting career highs from the field and from three. At 25, he is the list’s clearest championship-caliber No. 1 option.
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