What NBA Teams Need a Point Guard?

The NBA season is in full swing and there are a few teams that could really use a quality point guard. Who are the top candidates that could be available?

The Current Point Guard Situation in the NBA

With the NBA season in full swing, all eyes are on the teams and players battling it out for the chance to win the championship. One of the most important positions on the court is the point guard. A good point guard can make or break a team. In this article, we will take a look at the point guard situation for some of the teams in the NBA.

Eastern Conference

The Boston Celtics currently have the best record in the Eastern Conference, but their point guard Kyrie Irving is sidelined with a knee injury. The Cleveland Cavaliers, who are in second place in the conference, are also without their starting point guard Isaiah Thomas because of a hip injury. The Toronto Raptors, who are third in the conference, have been playing well lately despite the fact that Kyle Lowry, their starting point guard, is out with a wrist injury.

With so many teams in the Eastern Conference missing their starting point guards due to injury, there is a great opportunity for other players to step up and fill the void. Players like Delon Wright of the Raptors and Mario Chalmers of the Miami Heat have been taking advantage of their increased playing time and have been putting up good numbers. It will be interesting to see how these players perform over the next few weeks as their teams continue to fight for playoff positioning.

Western Conference

The Western Conference is loaded with talented point guards. While there are a few teams that could use an upgrade at the position, there are also a handful of teams that have more than one quality point guard.

The Golden State Warriors have long been the class of the Western Conference, and their point guard situation is a big reason why. They have two of the best in the business in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Curry is a two-time MVP andThompson is a three-time All-Star. The Warriors also have a solid backup in Shaun Livingston.

The Houston Rockets are another team with a great point guard situation. They have Chris Paul, who is a nine-time All-Star, and James Harden, who is a two-time MVP. The Rockets also have Eric Gordon, who is a former Sixth Man of the Year, coming off the bench.

The Portland Trail Blazers also have a strong point guard situation with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Lillard is a four-time All-Star and McCollum was named Most Improved Player in 2016. The Blazers also have Dwight Felton, who is a solid backup.

There are a few teams that could use an upgrade at point guard, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New Orleans Pelicans.

The Need for a Point Guard

A point guard is a basketball player who plays one of the positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard’s main responsibility is to run the team’s offense by controlling the ball and making sure that it gets to the right players. A point guard is also responsible for making sure that the team’s offense is run efficiently. NBA teams need a point guard who can control the game and make smart decisions.

Teams That Need a Point Guard

There are a few teams in the NBA that could really use an upgrade at the point guard position. Here are a few of them:

The New York Knicks have been trying to find a true point guard for years now. They’ve had a few decent ones, but nothing spectacular. This season, they’re relying on Derrick Rose, who’s been injury-prone throughout his career. Adding a solid point guard would give the Knicks a much needed boost.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been struggling recently, and part of that is due to their lack of a true point guard. They drafted Lonzo Ball to be their point guard of the future, but he’s still raw and has yet to develop fully. In the meantime, they need someone who can come in and provide some stability at the position.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been one of the most improved teams in the NBA over the past few seasons, but they’re still lacking a true point guard. They have a few guys who can play the position, but none of them are true difference-makers. Adding a top-level point guard would take them to the next level.

Teams That Could Use an Upgrade at Point Guard

There are a few teams in the NBA that could use an upgrade at point guard. Here are a few of them:

The Charlotte Hornets have struggled to find consistency at the position ever since Kemba Walker left for the Boston Celtics. Devonte’ Graham has shown flashes of being a good player, but he is still very young and has not been consistent enough to be counted on as a starter.Terry Rozier was brought in to be the starter, but he has not played up to his contract and will likely be gone after this season. The Hornets need to find a long-term answer at point guard.

The Indiana Pacers have been relying on Malcolm Brogdon to be their starting point guard, but he is better suited as a backup. Brogdon is a good player, but he is not a true point guard and the Pacers need someone who can run the offense and take some of the scoring burden off of star forward Domantas Sabonis.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been trying to get by with Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sharing ball-handling duties, but it has not worked out well. Both players are better off with the ball in their hands, so they have been forced to play out of position. The Thunder need to find a true point guard who can take control of the offense and allow Gilgeous-Alexander to play off the ball more.

The Phoenix Suns have been using Tyler Johnson as their starting point guard, but he is better suited as a backup. Johnson is a good scorer, but he is not a true point guard and the Suns need someone who can run the offense and take some of the scoring burden off of star shooting guard Devin Booker.

The Free Agent Point Guards

The NBA’s free agency season is upon us, and that means that all 30 teams are looking to improve their rosters. One position that a lot of teams are looking to upgrade is the point guard position. In this article, we will take a look at the best free agent point guards that are available.

The Top Free Agent Point Guards

The NBA free agency period is upon us, and there are a number of marquee names available on the open market. Among the most sought-after players are point guards, who are always in high demand. This year’s class includes a number of talented players who could make an immediate impact on their new teams. Here are the top free agent point guards available this offseason:

Chris Paul: CP3 is a 10-time All-Star and one of the best point guards in NBA history. He’s a true floor general who makes everyone around him better. He’s an excellent shooter and playmaker, and he’s also a tremendous defender. Paul will be 34 next season, but he’s still playing at an All-Star level. He would be an upgrade for any team in need of a point guard.

Kyle Lowry: Lowry is a five-time All-Star and one of the best two-way point guards in the league. He’s an excellent shooter and playmaker, and he’s also a very good defender. Lowry will be 34 next season, but he shows no signs of slowing down. He would be a great addition for any team looking for a veteran point guard to lead them to victory.

Patty Mills: Mills is an underrated player who doesn’t get enough credit for how good he is. He’s an excellent shooter and playmaker, and he’s also a very good defender. Mills will be 31 next season, but he still has plenty of gas left in the tank. He would be a great fit for any team in need of a solid backup point guard.

The Second-Tier Free Agent Point Guards

When it comes to NBA free agency, the focus is often on the big names. The stars who will command max contracts and change the landscape of the league. But there are also a number of solid role players and complementary pieces who will be signing new deals this offseason.

One group that has flown a bit under the radar are the second-tier free agent point guards. These are guys who are good enough to starter on most NBA teams, but aren’t going to command a huge payday.

Players like Patty Mills, Cory Joseph, Shelvin Mack and Yogi Ferrell will all be looking for new deals this offseason and there should be plenty of interest from teams around the league.

Here’s a closer look at each of these players and what they could bring to an NBA team:

Patty Mills: A veteran backup point guard, Mills has been a key player for the San Antonio Spurs over the past few seasons. He’s a great shooter (career 38 percent from three-point range) and a solid defender. He would be a perfect fit on a team looking for a backup point guard who can provide some scoring punch off the bench.

Cory Joseph: Joseph is coming off a down year with the Indiana Pacers, but he’s still just 27 years old and has shown that he can be a solid starting point guard in this league. He’s a good shooter (36 percent from three-point range for his career) and an above-average defender. He would be a good option for a team in need of a starting point guard who can play both ends of the court.

Shelvin Mack: Mack is coming off his best season as a pro, averaging 10 points and four assists while shooting 39 percent from three-point range for the Memphis Grizzlies. He’s not much of an defender, but he’s a solid offensive player who can provide some scoring punch off the bench. He would be a good fit on a team in need of depth at point guard.

Yogi Ferrell: Ferrell burst onto the scene with the Dallas Mavericks last season after going undrafted out of college. He averaged 11 points and four assists while shooting 42 percent from three-point range in 36 games with Dallas. He’s not much of an defender either, but he proved that he can be a viable scoring option at the NBA level. He would be worth taking a flier on for any team in need of depth at point guard

The Draft Prospects

Although the NBA season is still ongoing, it’s never too early to start thinking about next year. And next year, there are a few teams that are going to need a point guard. Some of the teams that come to mind are the Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, and the Phoenix Suns.

The Top Draft Prospects

With the 2019 NBA Draft quickly approaching, we take a look at the top prospects at the point guard position.

1. RJ Barrett, Duke
The 6’7” Barrett is one of the most versatile scorers in the draft. He can create his own shot and get to the rim with ease. His biggest weakness is his outside shooting, but he has shown improvement in that area over his freshman year. He’s projected to be a top-5 pick in the draft.

2. Ja Morant, Murray State
Morant is an elite athlete with unbelievable court vision. He has great potential as a pick-and-roll playmaker at the next level. His jump shot needs work, but he has all the tools to be a star in the league. He’s projected to be a top-10 pick in the draft.

3. Coby White, North Carolina
White is one of the best shooters in the draft. He’s an excellent scorer and has shown improvement as a playmaker over his freshman year. His biggest weakness is his defense, but he has all the tools to be a valuable player on offense. He’s projected to be a lottery pick in the draft.

4. Tyler Herro, Kentucky
Herro is a very good shooter with range beyond the three-point line. He’s also improved as a playmaker and defender over his freshman year. His lack of elite athleticism could limit him at the next level, but he has all the tools to be a very good player in the league. He’s projected to be a late first-round or early second-round pick in the draft.

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The Second-Tier Draft Prospects

The 2020 NBA Draft is loaded with top-tier talent at the point guard position, with the likes of LaMelo Ball, Cole Anthony, andTyrese Haliburton leading the way. But what about the second-tier of prospects? Who are the guys that NBA teams should target if they miss out on one of the top prospects?

Here are five second-tier point guard prospects that NBA teams should keep an eye on:

Kerry Blackshear Jr., Virginia Tech
A big-bodied point guard at 6’10”, Blackshear is a physical specimen that can really impact the game on both ends of the floor. He’s a strong rebounder for his position, averaging over seven rebounds per game last season, and he’s also a very good shooter from three-point range, shooting over 42% from beyond the arc. Blackshear is still a bit raw as a prospect and needs to work on his playmaking ability, but he has all the tools to be a very good player at the next level.

Isaiah Joe, Arkansas
Joe is one of the best shooters in this year’s draft class, as he proved last season by shooting over 45% from three-point range. He’s also a really good scorer off the dribble and has a nice mid-range game. At 6’4″, he’s a bit undersized for an NBA shooting guard, but he makes up for it with his athleticism and shooting ability. Joe is still raw as a prospect and needs to work on his defense and playmaking ability, but he has all the tools to be a very good shooter at the next level.

Immanuel Quickley, Kentucky
Quickley was one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball last season, averaging over 20 points per game while shooting over 50% from three-point range and almost 90% from the free throw line. He’s not the most athletic player or the best defender, but he makes up for it with his smarts and shooting ability. Quickley is still raw as a prospect and needs to work on his playmaking ability, but he has all the tools to be a very good shooter at the next level.

Tre Jones, Duke
Jones is one of the best defensive point guards in this year’s draft class, as he proved last season by leading Duke in steals (2.4 per game) and being named ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He’s also a very good shooter from three-point range (41%), although he doesn’t take many shots from beyondthe arc. Jones is undersized for an NBA point guard at 6’1″, but he makes up for it with his athleticism and defensive ability. He’s still raw as a prospect and needs to work on his playmaking ability, but he has allthe tools to be a very good defender at the next level.

Cassius Winston, Michigan State
Winston is one of the best passers in this year’s draft class, as evidenced by his 8.8 assists per game last season (second in NCAA). He’s also a very good shooter from three-point range (42%), although he doesn’t take many shots from beyondthe arc. Winston is undersized for an NBA point guard at 6’1″, but he makes up for it with his smarts and passing ability. He’s still raw asa prospect and needs to work on his defense and decision making, but he has allthe tools to be a very good passer atthe next level

Conclusion

In conclusion, the NBA teams that need a point guard are the Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs, and the Toronto Raptors. All of these teams have struggled with injuries and poor play at the position, and could use an upgrade. The Bucks and Raptors in particular could use a star point guard to take them to the next level.