Unquestionably, each draft of the 2010s produced many excellent guards, some of whom will be in the Hall of Fame someday. Each point guard in this article has accomplished much in their career and is among the best at their position. Nevertheless, in judging their individual play and achievements, a hierarchy of the top point guards can be made. Let’s dive into a ranking of the top point guards drafted in the 2010s.
Ranking The Top 10 Point Guards Drafted In The 2010s
#1: Luka Doncic (2018)
Unquestionably, the decision between choosing Luka Doncic and the player after him for first was a difficult one. Nevertheless, Doncic ranks first in this list for his continuous individual success from the start of his NBA career. For every season besides his rookie year and this past one, Doncic has made the All-Star team and the All-NBA first team for five consecutive seasons. Also during that time, Doncic has led his teams to multiple playoff appearances as the main option. That includes a Western Conference Finals run and an NBA Finals appearance. While Doncic had to deal with injuries and his surprising trade to the Lakers this recent season, he has still retained his status as a top-five player in the league.
#2: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2018)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is easily one of the best guards in the league and has an argument to be first on this list. While he hasn’t had the same early success and accomplishment as Doncic, he has made up for it these past three seasons. He has an All-Star nod and All-NBA First Team selection in each of the past three years. Furthermore, he has been in the top five of MVP voting until he won this year. Not only has he blossomed into an outstanding regular-season player, but he has also found ultimate success in the postseason. He made multiple playoff appearances and led the Thunder to their first championship in franchise history. He was named Finals MVP for that run as well. Given his accomplishments, it is hard to argue that Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t deserve to be among the top of this list.
#3: Damian Lillard (2012)
As Damian Lillard returns to Portland, it is time to reflect on his career. Lillard has put together a Hall of Fame resumé despite his lack of postseason success. His career is one of the most decorated among all the guards on this list, earning many achievements since it began in 2012. He won Rookie of the Year and has since made nine All-Star appearances across his time in Portland and Milwaukee. He has also received seven All-NBA selections and made the NBA’s Top 75 list. His ability to score and stretch defenses to well beyond the arc has made him one of the most dangerous guards in the league. Not only that, but Lillard has demonstrated the same scoring in the playoffs as well. Considering his long and distinguished career as Portland’s main option, it is a no-brainer for him to be here.
#4: Kyrie Irving (2011)
Kyrie Irving is, without a doubt, one of the premier second options in the NBA today. Despite dealing with several injuries and off-court drama throughout his career, Irving has consistently proven himself as one of the top scorers in the league. He has dazzled crowds with his handle and offensive feel on the court. Those qualities helped Irving achieve Rookie of the Year honors in 2012. Across the years, Irving racked up nine All-Star appearances spanning four teams. Furthermore, he made three All-NBA teams to go with them. Most importantly, Irving hit one of the most important shots in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals. With that shot, he helped secure Cleveland’s first-ever NBA championship. While he didn’t find much success as a first option, Irving still deserves to be in the upper echelons of this list.
#5: Jalen Brunson (2018)
As the only second-round pick on this list, Jalen Brunson has blossomed into a real superstar. He successfully transitioned from being a sixth-man scorer to an offensive savant serving as New York’s first option. His excellent efficiency as a scorer has led him to two All-Star appearances over the last two years. Not only that, but he also made two All-NBA selections in that timeframe as well. Similar to other players listed here, Brunson also won the Clutch Player of the Year award. Brunson is a major reason why the Knicks have been a true championship contender during his tenure. In particular, he has been a monster in the playoffs and has led the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals. He is, without a doubt, one of the league’s best scorers and one of its best point guards.
#6: Trae Young (2018)
Rounding out the last of the 2018 guards is Trae Young, who is one of the league’s best playmakers. His scoring and playmaking skills have helped lead the Hawks to multiple postseason runs, including one to the Eastern Conference Finals. Additionally, as an individual, Young’s abilities have also led to four All-Star appearances throughout his career and an All-NBA selection in 2022. Plus, Young recently won the Assist title for this past season. Despite his overall high turnover averages, it will be difficult to find a playmaker of the caliber that Young is. Overall, Young has proven himself to be an offensive engine for the Hawks and one of the best point guards in the league.
#7: John Wall (2010)
As the earliest drafted player on this list, John Wall has recently retired from basketball. Unquestionably, the former number one overall pick in 2010 put together an impressive career. He had multiple All-Star appearances for the Washington Wizards and took them to four playoff runs. Additionally, in that time, Wall also made an All-Defensive team and an All-NBA team. As one of the most dynamic and athletic guards in the 2010s, Wall helped push the Wizards to actual playoff contention during his tenure there. While he never had real playoff success, it’s difficult to argue against his individual accomplishments as a player.
#8: Ja Morant (2019)
While injuries and off-court issues have slowed his career, Ja Morant is undoubtedly the best guard from his draft. Like other players on this list, Morant won Rookie of the Year. As his career progressed, Morant also made two All-Star teams, which he earned by leading an ascending Grizzlies roster to the playoffs. Plus, Morant also led the Grizzlies in 2023 to the second seed in a tough Western Conference. Morant also made the All-NBA second team and won Most Improved Player in 2022. His athleticism and rim scoring have made him one of the most electric and exciting players in the league.
#9: De’Aaron Fox (2017)
De’Aaron Fox earned his place here for the level of play he has risen to for the past few seasons. He had multiple All-Star worthy seasons, making one in 2023 alongside an All-NBA third team selection. As the main option for the Kings, Fox helped lead Sacramento out of their 16-year-long drought of missing the postseason. While they lost in the first round, Fox led a heroic effort that took the series to seven games. The speedy guard’s ability to score made him one of the best clutch scorers in the league. In fact, he won Clutch Player of the Year in 2023. Fox can be considered as one of the best guards of the 2017 NBA Draft and in the 2010s.
#10: Jamal Murray (2016)
Despite being the only player on this list to have not made an All-Star team, Jamal Murray still belongs to this group. Not only has Murray been a great second option behind Nikola Jokic in the regular season, but he elevates his level of play in the postseason to superstar levels. In particular, his increased production in the 2023 playoffs was one of the major reasons why the Denver Nuggets won the championship that year. Considering his postseason success as the second option behind Jokic, Murray is certainly one of the top point guards drafted in the 2010s.
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