Ranking the top 10 point guards in the NBA: Where does LaMelo Ball land?

Trading for LaMelo Ball gives the Minnesota Timberwolves a quality second option and high-end point guard alongside Anthony Edwards. But let's put this into context by seeing where Ball stacks up among the league's best PGs.  

A few things to note before we get into my top-10 list. Firstly, I used Cleaning the Glass to determine positions, especially since I will do a similar list for other position groups. As such, some players you might think are point guards actually qualify as shooting guards (Stephon Castle, Austin Reaves, Amen Thompson, and Dylan Harper), just to name a few. 

Furthermore, my list is based on who I would most want to have on my team if I were to start a new team. To this end, first-option capabilities, proven success, and simply how easy players are to build around are all heavily weighted.

Honorable mentions: Trae Young, De'Aaron Fox, Darius Garland, Damian Lillard, James Harden.

10. Kyrie Irving 

Kyrie Irving is pound-for-pound one of the best NBA players of all-time. Between dazzling ball-handling, crafty below-the-rim finishing, and smooth scoring, he's an easy guy to root for. 

At 34 years old, coming off an ACL injury, there are some fair questions about what he'll look like this season, and admittedly that holds him back on this list. Nevertheless, his absurd skill with the ball should negate some of these concerns. 

9. LaMelo Ball

I'm sorry if this ranking feels underwhelming, Timberwolves fans. Based on sheer offensive talent, LaMelo should be higher. The reality, though, is that the point guard position is deep, and having Ball above players who have proven themselves in the playoffs wouldn't be fair. 

On the bright side, Ball can boost his ranking by proving himself in the playoffs this season. Additionally, having a top-10 point guard will be a massive upgrade for the Timberwolves after years of below-average PG play. 

Few players can match Ball's blend of size, playmaking, and perimeter scoring. LaMelo was one of the most effective drivers of offense last season, ranking third in offensive estimated plus-minus and leading the Hornets to a top-five offense. His ability to play on or off the ball also makes him a fairly malleable player. All of this should help Edwards and the rest of the Timberwolves team immensely.

If he can parlay this into playoff success, Ball will improve his spot and establish himself as an elite second option. Regardless, it's fair to have concerns about Ball's injury history and how he'll adjust to the physicality of the postseason. 

8. Jamal Murray 

Jamal Murray has earned the right to be above LaMelo for now. Murray has long been part of the league's best duo alongside Nikola Jokic. He is an elite three-level scorer and difficult shot maker. And while Murray isn't a top-tier playmaker, he's no slouch in this department, either. 

Last season, Murray averaged 25.4 points and 7.1 assists en route to his first All-Star selection. While this past year's playoff run was a dud for Murray thanks to Jaden McDaniels' lockdown defense, Murray has also proven himself on the biggest stage several times, including during Denver's 2023 title run. What holds Murray back is that he's not a good defender and that everyone above him is a more solidified first option.  

7. Tyrese Haliburton 

Tyrese Haliburton missed all of last season with an Achilles injury, but he deserves the benefit of the doubt after a stellar 2025 Finals run. Haliburton has a strong case to be the league's best passer. He was the engine of the Indiana Pacers' high-powered offense in 2025 thanks to his playmaking and perimeter scoring. In some ways, his pass-first, low-turnover style makes him a throwback player. 

Regarding the injury concerns, Haliburton's lack of reliance on athleticism could make his return seamless, but an Achilles injury is incredibly serious. However, I will say that his occasional lack of aggression as a scorer holds him back from a top-five ranking.  

As jumbo-sized point guards who thrive at creating for others and can make it rain from 3-point range, Haliburton and Ball have clear similarities. If LaMelo can prove himself in high-leverage situations, bumping up to Haliburton's range is possible. Frankly, though, since LaMelo is primed to be a high-end second option, seven is probably the ceiling for him to reach this season.

6. Tyrese Maxey 

Tyrese Maxey is a borderline superstar who doesn't get enough praise. He averaged an absurd 28.3 points and 6.6 assists last season while propelling the Philadelphia 76ers to a playoff berth despite Joel Embiid playing in just 38 games. 

With the Sixers adding Jaylen Brown and LeBron James, we won't see Maxey put up the same numbers as last season. The good news is that Maxey is a malleable player who can thrive off the ball. And despite being 6-foot-2, he is a high-level defensive playmaker. He simply does it all. 

5. Stephen Curry 

Stephen Curry still playing at this elite level despite being 38 is nothing short of remarkable. It's also nothing short of a disservice that the Golden State Warriors haven't added more talent around him. That's beside the point, though. 

Curry's 3-point shooting is still the single biggest weapon in the NBA. His gravity both on and off the ball opens up shots for his teammates. Furthermore, his ball-handling, defense, and finishing will always remain underrated in my book. 

If we are talking about a player I'd want for one game, Curry would be higher on this list. Still, over the course of an 82-game season and playoffs, I unfortunately do have concerns about Curry at this stage of his career. 

4. Jalen Brunson 

After delivering the New York Knicks their first championship since 1973, it's hard not to be in awe of Jalen Brunson. He was the engine of the Knicks' success and made countless clutch shots. Brunson can score from anywhere, has elite poise as a ball-handler, and can thrive off the ball. 

Does he have some limitations on defense with his size? Of course, but he proved, without a shadow of a doubt, that he's a 1A superstar. At the bare minimum, he's done enough to be considered a top-10 player and top-five point guard. 

3. Cade Cunningham 

Hot take, I know, but hear me out. Cade Cunningham has had an impressive amount of success with a less-than-ideal roster context around him. He led the Detroit Pistons to a 60-win season with Tobias Harris as his secondary shot creator. Not many players can do that. 

Likewise, Cunningham is incredibly easy to build around given his size, playmaking, high-end creation, and defense. This skill set makes Cunningham a team-building hack and a complete all-around guard. Frankly, this is what separates him from Brunson, who needs a more specific roster context to succeed. 

If the Pistons ever give Cade the spacing and creation that every other star has, this ranking will quickly become a consensus opinion. 

2. Luka Doncic 

Luka Doncic arguably has the best combination of scoring and playmaking in the league. He is the perfect heliocentric star as a result. Last year, he averaged a league-leading 33.5 points and 8.2 assists. At some point, it feels inevitable that he'll win MVP and a championship. 

Despite some of Doncic's limitations as a perimeter defender and his declining rim frequency, he would be a worthy No. 1 if it weren't for the man above him. 

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a perfect basketball player. He is an elite finisher, a difficult shot-maker, can create for others, and can defend. There are simply no flaws in his game. As such, SGA is the easiest star to build a roster around. 

Saying that Shai benefits from the Thunder's roster context doesn't hold up under scrutiny. Make no mistake: Shai is the Thunder's offense. They were 11 points per 100 possessions better with SGA on the court last season, and they lack creation outside of him. 

If Shai isn't your No. 1 PG, I have to ask: Why? 

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