Shooting guard is perhaps the thinnest position in fantasy hoops, with
Dwyane Wade clearly leading the way.
Kobe Bryant has knee issues and isn't getting any younger, while many more of them are also big injury risks. And while there are some young guns waiting in the wings, if you wait too long to take your shooting guard, you'll be gambling. I also included Monta Ellis and Tyreke Evans as point guards, which might have been a mistake. Therefore, they're not included in this list.
1.
Dwyane Wade Heat
Wade was healthy this season, playing in 76 games after playing in 77 and 79 the previous two campaigns. That's a solid three-year streak of health and Wade has the potential to be the best player in fantasy hoops. And he is, without a doubt, the No. 1 shooting guard on the board, worthy of a Top 5 pick.
2.
Kobe Bryant Lakers
Kobe's knee and finger remain ongoing concerns, as well as all the minutes he's put on his aging body. But he's still a force and a Top 20 fantasy player. He should come into the season fairly healthy, and while he's no longer a lock for a first-round pick, he won't be around when Round 3 of your draft approaches.
3.
Kevin Martin Rockets
Martin somehow played in 80 games last season and was a fantasy beast for his owners on most nights. He hits a ton of threes and free throws, and just missed averaging a career high with 23.5 points per game in Houston. If he can stay injury free, he should do it again, but his health will always be a concern. He appeared in just 46, 51 and 61 games in his previous three seasons.
4.
Eric Gordon Clippers
Gordon played in just 56 games last season after missing 20 of them the year before. Injuries are a legitimate concern for Gordon, but if he is able to put in a full season of work next year, he will be a top fantasy option. He scored 22.3 points and hit 1.9 3-pointers per game last year, shoots it well from the field and line, and doesn't have any weaknesses, outside of not blocking shots.
5.
Manu Ginobili Spurs
Ginobili is going to be 34 years old in July and played in 80 games for the Spurs this season, starting in all but one of them. He used to come off the bench, and while he's still a relatively safe fantasy option, age is going to catch up with him sooner than later.
6.
Dorell Wright Warriors
Wright played in all 82 games for the Warriors last season, hit 2.4 3-pointers per game, and averaged 5.3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. His shooting was suspect at just 42.3 percent, and he hit just 37.6 percent of his 3-point attempts. Wright was a waiver-wire jackpot last season (or a well-spent late pick), but will not come so cheaply this season.
7.
Stephen Jackson Bobcats
Jackson missed 15 games last season, mostly due to a hamstring injury, but valiantly played through it until it became clear the Bobcats' season was over. Shooting and turnovers are always an issue for Captain Jack, but he qualifies at guard/forward in most leagues and will score a lot of points again in Charlotte. There has been some talk of trading him, but if he's back in Charlotte, he should easily be a Top 10 shooting guard option.
8.
Jason Richardson UFA Magic
It's impossible to figure out where to rank J-Rich right now, as he's an unrestricted free agent for the Magic. He was putting up very solid numbers in Phoenix, but took a big hit after being traded to Orlando. We'll have to see where he ends up, but he should still be a starting NBA shooting guard wherever it happens to be. He's a great 3-point shooter, a solid rebounding guard and a guy who can score 20 points a night in the right situation.
9.
Joe Johnson Hawks
Simply put, Johnson was a disappointment for the Hawks last season, despite signing a max deal prior to lacing them up. His numbers were well down in every category from the previous season, and while his 18 points, four boards and nearly five assists looks OK on paper, he was frustrating to own given how high he was drafted by owners. The 1.2 3-pointers per game (29.7 percent) was his biggest issue after hitting nearly 2.0 per game for the previous several years, but if he falls toward the middle rounds like we expect him to, his numbers should be much easier for owners to swallow.
10.
Marcus Thornton Kings
I'm a little leery of putting Thornton this high after he was buried on the bench in New Orleans last year. But a mid-season trade to the Kings made him a very hot waiver-wire pickup, as he oddly finished the year as one of the bigger fantasy hoops busts, as well as one of the waiver-wire pickups of the year. For the Kings, he averaged 21.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.0 3-pointers per game, while shooting it well across the board. We'll have to see if he starts for the Kings next season (
Beno Udrih and
Tyreke Evans could be the starting backcourt), but if he does, he
should have a big year in Sacramento.
Shooting guard is perhaps the thinnest position in fantasy hoops, with
Dwyane Wade clearly leading the way.
Kobe Bryant has knee issues and isn't getting any younger, while many more of them are also big injury risks. And while there are some young guns waiting in the wings, if you wait too long to take your shooting guard, you'll be gambling. I also included Monta Ellis and Tyreke Evans as point guards, which might have been a mistake. Therefore, they're not included in this list.
1.
Dwyane Wade Heat
Wade was healthy this season, playing in 76 games after playing in 77 and 79 the previous two campaigns. That's a solid three-year streak of health and Wade has the potential to be the best player in fantasy hoops. And he is, without a doubt, the No. 1 shooting guard on the board, worthy of a Top 5 pick.
2.
Kobe Bryant Lakers
Kobe's knee and finger remain ongoing concerns, as well as all the minutes he's put on his aging body. But he's still a force and a Top 20 fantasy player. He should come into the season fairly healthy, and while he's no longer a lock for a first-round pick, he won't be around when Round 3 of your draft approaches.
3.
Kevin Martin Rockets
Martin somehow played in 80 games last season and was a fantasy beast for his owners on most nights. He hits a ton of threes and free throws, and just missed averaging a career high with 23.5 points per game in Houston. If he can stay injury free, he should do it again, but his health will always be a concern. He appeared in just 46, 51 and 61 games in his previous three seasons.
4.
Eric Gordon Clippers
Gordon played in just 56 games last season after missing 20 of them the year before. Injuries are a legitimate concern for Gordon, but if he is able to put in a full season of work next year, he will be a top fantasy option. He scored 22.3 points and hit 1.9 3-pointers per game last year, shoots it well from the field and line, and doesn't have any weaknesses, outside of not blocking shots.
5.
Manu Ginobili Spurs
Ginobili is going to be 34 years old in July and played in 80 games for the Spurs this season, starting in all but one of them. He used to come off the bench, and while he's still a relatively safe fantasy option, age is going to catch up with him sooner than later.
6.
Dorell Wright Warriors
Wright played in all 82 games for the Warriors last season, hit 2.4 3-pointers per game, and averaged 5.3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. His shooting was suspect at just 42.3 percent, and he hit just 37.6 percent of his 3-point attempts. Wright was a waiver-wire jackpot last season (or a well-spent late pick), but will not come so cheaply this season.
7.
Stephen Jackson Bobcats
Jackson missed 15 games last season, mostly due to a hamstring injury, but valiantly played through it until it became clear the Bobcats' season was over. Shooting and turnovers are always an issue for Captain Jack, but he qualifies at guard/forward in most leagues and will score a lot of points again in Charlotte. There has been some talk of trading him, but if he's back in Charlotte, he should easily be a Top 10 shooting guard option.
8.
Jason Richardson UFA Magic
It's impossible to figure out where to rank J-Rich right now, as he's an unrestricted free agent for the Magic. He was putting up very solid numbers in Phoenix, but took a big hit after being traded to Orlando. We'll have to see where he ends up, but he should still be a starting NBA shooting guard wherever it happens to be. He's a great 3-point shooter, a solid rebounding guard and a guy who can score 20 points a night in the right situation.
9.
Joe Johnson Hawks
Simply put, Johnson was a disappointment for the Hawks last season, despite signing a max deal prior to lacing them up. His numbers were well down in every category from the previous season, and while his 18 points, four boards and nearly five assists looks OK on paper, he was frustrating to own given how high he was drafted by owners. The 1.2 3-pointers per game (29.7 percent) was his biggest issue after hitting nearly 2.0 per game for the previous several years, but if he falls toward the middle rounds like we expect him to, his numbers should be much easier for owners to swallow.
10.
Marcus Thornton Kings
I'm a little leery of putting Thornton this high after he was buried on the bench in New Orleans last year. But a mid-season trade to the Kings made him a very hot waiver-wire pickup, as he oddly finished the year as one of the bigger fantasy hoops busts, as well as one of the waiver-wire pickups of the year. For the Kings, he averaged 21.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.0 3-pointers per game, while shooting it well across the board. We'll have to see if he starts for the Kings next season (
Beno Udrih and
Tyreke Evans could be the starting backcourt), but if he does, he
should have a big year in Sacramento.
11.
Wesley Matthews Blazers
Brandon Roy's chronic knee problems make Matthews an interesting option this season, as it appears that Roy's days as a starter (and superstar) are over. Matthews hasn't missed a game in his two seasons and averaged nearly 16 points and two 3-pointers per game last year in Portland. More rebounds, assists and steals would be nice, but Matthews has proven he is worthy of starting at shooting guard in the NBA.
12.
Caron Butler UFA Mavericks
Butler can start at shooting guard or small forward, but is coming off knee surgery. He was hoping to play in the Finals, but still wasn't ready for Dallas. His numbers weren't great in the 29 games he played for the Mavs last year, but they were serviceable: 15 points, 4.1 boards, 1.0 steals and a 3-pointer per game. It's hard to say how his knee will hold up next season, while there's also a concern about having enough balls to go around in Dallas (if he stays there). But if healthy, Butler should be a nice value pick in the middle rounds of your draft.
13.
Ray Allen PO Celtics
Allen will be back in Boston after exercising his player option and will start at shooting guard again, despite being 36 years old. He's missed just seven games in his last three seasons, should score 16 points per game again, hit a couple threes, and shoot it very well from the field and line. But he doesn't do a lot more than what was just mentioned, and his numbers should continue to fall as he grows older.
14.
Jason Terry Mavericks
Terry had a great NBA Finals and it could cause him to be overvalued in some fantasy circles. And while he should still be a solid option, there are simply too many guards in Dallas, as well as the fact he's going to be 34 at the start of next season. His scoring average has dropped in the each of the last three seasons, coming in at just 15.8 points per game last year. He doesn't rebound, but will hit threes, hand out some dimes and collect some steals, but isn't likely to be a starter for the Mavs (again)
.
15.
James Harden Thunder
Harden, by most accounts, should have been a starter for the Thunder in the playoffs, and there's already been talk about him getting the job over
Thabo Sefolosha next season. He even played some point guard for
Scott Brooks, and put up very solid numbers in the playoffs. He averaged just 12.2 points in the regular season, and while he only upped that number to 13.0 per game in the postseason, he scored 21 or more in three of his last 11 games and knocked down 23 3-pointers in the playoffs. He's not going to be a guy you'll want to draft early, but his stock is rising and he could be a nice sleeper pick in the later rounds.
16.
Jordan Crawford Wizards
Crawford was shipped from the Hawks to the Wizards last season and promptly started putting up big numbers in Washington. He only appeared in 26 games for the Wiz, but averaged 16.3 points, 3.0 boards, 3.9 assists, 1.4 steals and nearly a 3-pointer per game. His 3-point shooting was an atrocious 23.8 percent and contributed heavily to his 39 percent shooting from the floor. But it's important to remember he was a rookie, and that
Nick Young was hurt for most of Crawford's run in D.C. Crawford scored in double digits in 17 straight for Washington, as well as 18 of his last 20 games of the season. He scored 39 points with five 3-pointers on March 30 and scored 29 on April 6. We're going to have to make sure he's going to have a real shot at starting next season, but as of now, he looks like one of the most intriguing sleeper picks in fantasy.
17.
Gerald Henderson Bobcats
Henderson will be another guy worth taking a flier on late in your draft after he started for the final two months of the season in Charlotte. In March and April, as a starter, he averaged nearly 15 points, 1.3 steals, 4.5 boards and 3.5 assists, but also hit just five 3-pointers. Shooting guards who don't hit threes are not fun to own, but Henderson could make big strides next year if he starts, sending
Stephen Jackson to small forward. But also keep in mind he underwent hip surgery and might not be ready for the start of the season.
18.
Paul George Pacers
George showed potential last season as a rookie in Indy and they like him. He should see more opportunities and have a chance to build on last year's eight points per game. He only scored over 20 points one time all season, but he also wasn't a starter until the final 19 games. If he wins the starting job in camp, and I believe he has a very good shot at doing so, he'll be worth a late flier.
19.
O.J. Mayo Grizzlies
Mayo was benched by the Grizz last season and will have to deal with
Tony Allen, who Memphis has a love affair with due to his heart and defensive presence. Mayo's numbers fell far enough last season that he was dropped in many leagues, but he bounced back in the playoffs against the Thunder, starting the final two games and scored between 14 and 18 points in all but two games of the seven-game series. It remains to be seen if he reclaims the starting gig this year, but if he does, he'll likely be ranked higher than this once the season rolls around.
20.
John Salmons &
Carlos Delfino Bucks
Bucks players were very frustrating to own in fantasy last season, and both of these guys were very inconsistent. Delfino was balling until a concussion, and ended up playing in just 49 games, averaging 11.5 points and 2.1 3-pointers per game. Salmons played in 73 games and averaged 15.9 points per game in the month of December. We'll have to see how things shake out in training camp, but there's a pretty good chance both players will be worth drafting in the later rounds. And unfortunately, they'll likely split minutes and hurt each other's production along the way.
Others To ConsiderJamal Crawford UFA Hawks – Where will he end up?
Wes Johnson Timberwolves – Talent is there, will he get opportunity?
Marco Belinelli Hornets – Potential 3-point specialist, but inconsistent.
DeMar DeRozan Raptors – No threes really hurts potential.
Mike Dunleavy UFA Pacers – Injury concerns, could come off bench.
Landry Fields Knicks – Was last season a fluke and will he start again?
Vince Carter Suns – Fizzled in Phoenix, getting old.