NBA point guard tier list: Where would Raptors’ Scottie Barnes rank?

Tier 2: All-NBA Competitors

8. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

7. Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns

6. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

5. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

Young and Beal are never going to be defenders who are worth a damn in the NBA, but it is hard to find fault in their games with the ball in their hands. While Young tries to get his Hawks back into the contention picture, Beal will try to adapt to a third-star role in Phoenix.

Murray doesn’t have the gaudiest numbers, but last season showed he can be a No. 2 star on a title team who scores on par with Nikola Jokic every single night. Morant needs to get his head on straight off the court, because what he can be on it is a superstar.

NBA point guard tied list: Steph Curry is still a star

Tier 1: Superstars

4. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

1. Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors

Lillard is showing no signs of slowing down despite his age, and he is still the hottest name on the trade market. Miami would love to swap Lowry out for Dame. Gilgeous-Alexander’s presence was so impressive with Oklahoma City that their timeline to contention has been sped up on the back of him alone.

Doncic is the de facto point guard for Dallas, and he is arguably the most difficult non-big offensive player in the league to guard. However, until he possesses the pedigree of Curry, who is still at the top of his game, he needs to take a back seat to the future Hall of Famer.