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It’s a stacked group that’s filled with versatility, but who leads the pack? Here are the top 10 shooting guards entering the 2025-26 NBA season:<\/p>\n
OKC Thunder schedule release 2025-26: See all 82 NBA games, dates for reigning champions<\/a><\/p>\n Top 10 shooting guards entering 2025-26 NBA season<\/p>\n Stats consist of points (PTS), rebounds (REB), assists (AST), steals (STL), turnovers (TO), games played (GP), field-goal percentage (FG) and 3-point field-goal percentage (3FG).<\/p>\n Honorable mentions<\/p>\n Dyson Daniels<\/a> was the first player who missed the cut. The 22-year-old guard landed on the All-Defensive first team and was named the Most Improved Player last season, and he could certainly crack the top 10 with another strong showing. Other standout defenders such as Alex Caruso<\/a> and Christian Braun<\/a> received consideration.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Norman Powell<\/a> also narrowly missed the cut. The 32-year-old guard averaged a career-high 21.8 points per game last season, but it’ll be interesting to see if he can replicate that success with Miami. Other bucket getters such as Coby White<\/a> and CJ McCollum<\/a> were in the conversation.<\/p>\n Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) celebrates after making a 3-pointer during Game 5 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 13, 2025.<\/p>\n 2024-25 stats: 10.1 PTS, 4.1 REB, 1.6 AST, 1.1 STL, 0.7 TO, 71 GP, 43.5% FG, 41.2% 3FG<\/p>\n Every team needs someone like Dort.<\/p>\n The 6-foot-4 guard landed on the All-Defensive first team last season. And according to Crafted NBA<\/a>, he faced the second-toughest defensive assignments in the league. Dort also shined on offense, where he shot a career-high 41.2% from deep on 5.8 attempts per game.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n After going undrafted in 2019, Dort has developed into an elite 3-and-D guard with championship experience. Even if his stats don’t jump off the page, he needs to be on this list.<\/p>\n Lu Dort report card: Thunder lifer turns in best 3-and-D season of career<\/a><\/p>\n 2024-25 stats: 21.2 PTS, 5.1 REB, 3.5 AST, 1.1 STL, 1.9 TO, 53 GP, 45.4% FG, 36.1% 3FG<\/p>\n Trey Murphy III has struggled to stay on the floor lately. After playing in 57 games in 2023-24, the 25-year-old guard made just 53 appearances last season.<\/p>\n But he definitely didn’t struggle when he played. Murphy averaged 21.2 points last season as a 6-8 sharpshooter, and he looked more comfortable scoring off the dribble. He also used his size on defense to guard multiple positions.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Murphy should have an even larger role this upcoming season following the departure of Brandon Ingram<\/a>. If he can stay healthy, he should have no problem staying on this list for years to come.<\/p>\n 2024-25 stats: 23.3 PTS, 4.3 REB, 4.2 AST, 0.8 STL, 2.8 TO, 74 GP, 51.1% FG, 44.6% 3FG<\/p>\n Zach LaVine has become one of the most underrated stars in the NBA.<\/p>\n LaVine was one of only four players who averaged over 20 points per game last season while shooting at least 50% from the field and 40% from deep. He was also the only guard on that list, which consisted of Nikola Jokic<\/a>, Kevin Durant<\/a> and Karl-Anthony Towns<\/a>.<\/p>\n LaVine’s shortcomings on defense shouldn’t be overlooked when talking about his game, but neither should his career arc. Once known for his dunking, the 30-year-old guard has developed into a lethal scorer. He has earned the eighth spot on this list.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n More: Ranking top 10 OKC Thunder players of all time: Where does Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rank?<\/a><\/p>\n 2024-25 stats: 19.2 PTS, 6.1 REB, 5.3 AST, 1.2 STL, 2.4 TO, 69 GP, 48.4% FG, 39.2% 3FG<\/p>\n Orlando ranked dead last in 3-point attempts (11.2) and 3-point percentage (31.8%) last season, so it pulled off a blockbuster trade this summer to acquire Memphis’ Desmond Bane.<\/p>\n The 6-5 guard averaged 19.2 points last season on 39.2% shooting from deep, and he has shot 41% from deep throughout his career. He’s also a strong playmaker and a physically-strong defender who can hold his own against larger opponents.<\/p>\n Will Bane provide enough floor spacing for new teammates such as Paolo Banchero<\/a> and Franz Wagner<\/a> to operate? That remains to be seen. But his shooting, playmaking and versatility on defense is enough to claim the seventh spot on this list.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 2024-25 stats: 20.2 PTS, 4.5 REB, 5.8 AST, 1.1 STL, 2.4 TO, 73 GP, 46% FG, 37.7% 3FG<\/p>\n Austin Reaves doesn’t need to be the star of the show. Since he joined the Lakers as an undrafted guard in 2021, that role has been reserved for the likes of LeBron James<\/a>, Anthony Davis<\/a> and Luka Doncic<\/a>.<\/p>\n But Reaves still shines in his role. He averaged career highs of 20.2 points, 5.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds last season, all while sharing touches with some of the biggest superstars in the NBA.<\/p>\n Reaves is a high-IQ player who can score both off the catch and off the dribble. He’s an excellent passer who can give glimpses of the Showtime era with flashy dimes. And he’s adaptable. Even if Reaves doesn’t need the spotlight, he deserves to be highlighted as one of the NBA’s best shooting guards.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n More: How Austin Reaves made ‘crazy’ leap from OU basketball to Los Angeles Lakers<\/a><\/p>\n HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 27: Amen Thompson #1 of the Houston Rockets shoots against Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half at Toyota Center on December 27, 2024 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2024-25 stats: 14.1 PTS, 8.2 REB, 3.8 AST, 1.3 BLK, 1.4 STL, 2 TO, 69 GP, 55.7% FG, 27.5% 3FG<\/p>\n It’s hard to place a ceiling on just how good Thompson can be.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old sophomore started in 42 of his 69 games last season, and he showed flashes of brilliance. Thompson averaged 16 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.6 blocks as a starter. No other player in NBA history has averaged or exceeded those numbers in a full season, according to Rockets Collective’s Bradeaux<\/a>.<\/p>\n Thompson is already an elite defender with an All-Defensive first team selection under his belt. He’s also a top-tier athlete who thrives in transition, and he has plenty of time to improve his shooting. His potential is truly through the roof.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 2024-25 stats: 16.4 PTS, 4.5 REB, 4.8 AST, 1.1 BLK, 1.7 TO, 76 GP, 44.2% FG, 38.4% 3FG<\/p>\n Boston saved over $300 million this offseason by parting ways with Jrue Holiday<\/a>, Kristaps Porzingis<\/a>, Al Horford<\/a> and Luke Kornet<\/a>. But it kept White, and it’s not hard to see why.<\/p>\n The 31-year-old guard does it all for the Celtics<\/a>. He’s a pesky perimeter defender with two All-Defensive second team selections under his belt. He’s also a knockdown shooter, a trusted ball handler, a willing passer and a strong cutter.<\/p>\n But most importantly, White is a champion who makes winning plays. He can thrive on any team with any combination of players on the floor, and it’s hard to put a price tag on that.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Ranking NBA City Edition uniforms: Which OKC Thunder jersey is best?<\/a><\/p>\n 2024-25 stats: 25.6 PTS, 4.1 REB, 7.1 AST, 0.9 STL, 2.9 TO, 75 GP, 46.1% FG, 33.2% 3FG<\/p>\n Durant is now with Houston. Bradley Beal<\/a> is now with the Los Angeles Clippers<\/a>. That era of Suns basketball is over, and yet the Booker era is still going strong.<\/p>\n With a career average of 24.4 points per game, Booker is one of the NBA’s most well-rounded scorers. Whether it’s finishing at the rim, pulling up for mid-range jumpers or knocking down shots from deep, the 28-year-old guard is a walking bucket. He even showed an ability to be a lead guard alongside Durant and Beal.<\/p>\n Phoenix will likely be competing for a play-in tournament spot this upcoming season. But you should expect a big year for Booker, who’ll surely put up even stronger numbers now that his co-stars are gone.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 2024-25 stats: 24 PTS, 4.5 REB, 5 AST, 1.3 STL, 2.1 TO, 71 GP, 44.3% FG, 36.8% 3FG<\/p>\n At 28 years old, Mitchell has quite the r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/p>\n He’s a six-time All-Star with and a two-time All-NBA guard. He’s a stat stuffer who once dropped a 71-point double-double in 2023. And he’s a big-game riser who ranks seventh all-time in playoff scoring average (28.3 points).<\/p>\n Despite Mitchell’s individual postseason dominance, he hasn’t reached a conference finals yet. A deep playoff run is the biggest thing missing in his r\u00e9sum\u00e9, which is still good enough to claim the second spot on this list.<\/p>\n Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots a 3-pointer over Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) in the first quarter during an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025.<\/p>\n 2024-25 stats: 27.6 PTS, 5.7 REB, 4.5 AST, 1.2 STL, 3.2 TO, 79 GP, 44.7% FG, 39.5% 3FG<\/p>\n When Edwards flies through the air, there’s no telling what dunk he’ll go for. He’s an elite athlete who has been punishing rim protectors since the day he entered the NBA as the top pick in the 2020 draft.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n But there was also no way of predicting the improvement Edwards made to his game last season. The 24-year-old guard led the league in made 3-pointers (320) and shot 39.5% from deep while doing so, making him a true threat from both inside and outside the arc.<\/p>\n Edwards is also a better defender than Mitchell. And while Mitchell has yet to reach a conference finals in his career, Edwards has done so in each of the last two seasons. In my eyes, there’s no guessing which player is the best shooting guard in the NBA. It’s Edwards.<\/p>\n More: Top 10 Thunder games to watch for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC in 2025-26 NBA season<\/a><\/p>\n Justin Martinez covers sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X\/Twitter at\u00a0@JTheSportsDude. Sign up for the\u00a0Thunder Sports Minute newsletter<\/a>\u00a0to access more NBA coverage. 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