The NBA is full of talented shooting guards, featuring exceptional scorers and top-tier two-way players who command attention from the defense and take the spotlight on the offense.
As the 2023-24 NBA season opens on Tuesday, October 24, here are the top five shooting guards across the league expected to make dazzling plays and help their teams pick up victories.
1. Zach LaVine - Chicago Bulls
LaViner had a down season in 2022-23 compared to the prior year, where he made the All-Star game due to a slow start following a left knee surgery in the offseason.
Despite missing out on accolades, the 28-year-old's numbers remained steady from his 2021-22 campaign.
On top of that, he remained healthy, playing in 77 out of the Bulls' 82 regular season, although they were defeated in the play-in tournament by the 2023 NBA Finals runner-up Miami Heat.
2022-23 Stats: 24.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG
2023-24 Salary: $40,064,220
2. Jaylen Brown - Boston Celtics
Following his second All-Star appearance and first All-NBA selection with the Second Team, the 26-year-old was rewarded by the Celtics with the largest contract in NBA history, worth $304 million over five years.
Brown averaged career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and minutes in a solid 2022-23 campaign.
2022-23 stats: 26.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG
2023-24 Salary: $31,830,357
3. Donovan Mitchell - Cleveland Cavaliers
Mitchell, 27, has grown into one of the most consistent players in the league, making the last four NBA All-Star Games.
In his first season with the Cavaliers, Mitchell was recognized with his first All-NBA selection, making it to the Second Team. He posted a career-high average of 28.3 points per game, which included a 71-point game output.
Mitchell was instrumental in guiding Cleveland to their first playoff appearance since LeBron James left the team in 2018.
2022-23 stats: 28.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.4 BPG
2023-24 Salary: $33,162,030
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4. Anthony Edwards - Minnesota Timberwolves
The 22-year-old former first overall pick is poised for a breakout season after leading Team USA in the 2023 FIBA World Cup despite their disappointing fourth-place finish.
Edwards was named to his first-ever All-Star game last season, averaging career highs in all facets of his game except free-throw shooting percentage.
2022-23 stats: 24.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG
2023-24 Salary: $13,534,817
5. Devin Booker - Phoenix Suns
The 26-year-old Suns' star was unable to secure All-Star and All-NBA honors last season due to missing numerous games at the beginning of the 2022-23 season with a groin injury, despite being named to the All-NBA First team in the previous year.
Despite this, Booker notably raised his performance level as the season progressed, delivering outstanding displays during the postseason.
This included tying his playoff career-high with 47 points in the Western Conference Semifinals against the eventual NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, even though they ultimately lost the series in six games.
2022-23 stats: 27.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG
2023-24 Salary: $36,016,200
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