NBA Draft: Ranking the top 5 shooting guards

The NBA Draft is set to begin Thursday, and with the depth in this year’s class, it is sure to deliver impact players across the league.

Let’s take a look at the top five shooting guards in this year’s class.

5. James Bouknight, Connecticut

Bouknight is high on many draft boards thanks to the improvement he has shown since he returned from an elbow injury, his work ethic, and the overall skill he brings, but his shooting struggles are hard to ignore.

He shot worse than 30% from three-point range last year, a number that will require immediate and marked improvement to be a successful shooting guard in the NBA.

Impressive recent private workouts could mean a top 10 selection.

4. Josh Giddey, Australia

Giddey has shot up the draft boards, as he is the third-youngest player projected to be drafted and has grown three inches in the past three years to currently stand at 6’9”. 

He may develop into an oversized point guard, in a role similar to Kyle Anderson, or a small forward if he fills out, but shooting guard is his likeliest destination in the NBA.

The 18-year-old needs to refine his shooting, but he has already shown an aptitude for assisting and rebounding, and he should continue to develop.

3. Keon Johnson, Tennessee

Johnson spent just one year at Tennessee, but he left a memorable impression.

He posted a mind-blowing 48-inch vertical at the NBA Draft Combine  a number that highlights his athleticism and potential.

Johnson needs to polish his offensive game, but he plays well at both ends of the floor and would be a solid pick for a team like the Orlando Magic. Orlando has a very young team but needs plenty of help on defense. Johnson has the look of a solid piece on that end of the floor, with range and quickness.

2. Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga

Suggs could be more of a hybrid guard in the NBA and has the ability to play off the ball.

At 6’4”, with good strength and great body control, he may be slightly undersized as a shooting guard but has proven capable against bigger bodies in college. He has explosiveness to play above his measurements.

Suggs will need to work on his outside shooting, but the former five-star recruit has an aggressive style and a competitive streak that is sure to make him a successful guard in a league that has relied less, in recent years, on traditional point guards who pass first, in favor of scoring guards who can distribute.

1. Jalen Green, G League

Green is the consensus top shooting guard in this year’s NBA Draft and should go second overall.

Last season, he did something that is fairly unique. He opted out of college to play professional basketball in the G League and ply his trade against fellow professionals.

Green is an incredible athlete and dominated the G League. He averaged 17.9 points per game and shot 36.5% from three-point range, which should only get better over time.

Many top picks in the NBA Draft over the years were taken for perceived potential over proven ability, but Green has both.