Rankings are all well and good, but how close are players in value, really? Is the gap between the top-ranked shooting guard and the fourth-ranked shooting guard chasmic? How about the gap from 17-29? Tiers can help to illustrate a closer approximation of value and show which players share similar ranges of outcomes. This is the second in our series of positional tiers (assume 9-cat format), and we’ll be breaking down each position one-by-one over the next week.
Note: Some of these players play more minutes at PG or SF but are included because they have SG eligibility on Yahoo
Top-150 Player Rankings with Notes
ADP – Average Draft Position
Tier 1: Best of the Best
Steph and Harden are rightfully in a tier of their own among SG’s. Although he’s taken over as Brooklyn’s primary facilitator, Harden is still a SG at heart and a guy who will likely be selected in the top-5 of fantasy drafts this season. The same is true of Curry, who plays at PG but scores first just like a two guard.
Tier 2: Elite Options
Bradley Beal, Jimmy Butler, Fred VanVleet, Kyrie Irving, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LaMelo Ball, LeBron James, Zach LaVine, Jrue Holiday
This tier of guards is just a step down from Curry and Harden, but these guys are no joke. With no Russell Westbrook this season, there’s a good chance we see Beal finish as scoring champ for the second time in three seasons. FVV is expected to take a big step forward this season sans Kyle Lowry, while Jimmy Butler make take a small step in the opposite direction while teaming up with Lowry. Zach LaVine is still an elite SG even after Chicago’s offseason upgrades to the starting lineup.
Tier 3: Star Power & Consistency
Khris Middleton, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylen Brown, Devin Booker, Malcolm Brogdon, Mikal Bridges, Gordon Hayward
This tier features steady consistency from some of the Association’s best. There are few peaks and valleys with the likes of Middleton, Mitchell, and Booker. The only real question mark in this tier is Hayward, as health and a deeper Charlotte roster are his biggest concerns.
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Tier 4: Great Guards
C.J. McCollum, Dejounte Murray, Caris LeVert, DeMar DeRozan, Terry Rozier, Derrick White, Bogdan Bogdanovic
If you missed out on any of the guys in the first three tiers, I’m shocked. But if that’s the case, you can still comfortably hang your hat on the guys in Tier 4. Question marks begin to emerge in earnest with this tier, as San Antonio’s backcourt looks to take the next step forward, DeRozan will play for a new team, and LeVert will play his first full season with the Pacers.
Tier 5: Good (but not great)
Tyrese Haliburton, Collin Sexton, Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, D’Angelo Russell, Marcus Smart, Reggie Jackson, Devonte’ Graham, Buddy Hield, Nickeil Alexander-Walker
To call this group “good but not great” is probably selling them short, though I can’t cluster 20 players into Tier 4. This group features a pair of T-Wolves who will compete with each other for usage and a pair of Pelicans playing in an uncertain backcourt. Haliburton is the biggest question mark for me, after No. 9 pick Davion Mitchell won Co-MVP honors after dominant play in the Summer League.
Tier 6: Serviceable Plays
Kevin Porter, Andrew Wiggins, Evan Fournier, Norman Powell, Jalen Suggs, Jordan Clarkson, Klay Thompson, Joe Ingles
Here’s where outlooks really get dicey. KPJ closed out the season in brilliant fashion, Clarkson won Sixth Man of the Year, and Wiggins was surprisingly efficient and strong on defense. Can those three players replicate last season’s production, or were those performances simply blips on the radar?
Thompson will (presumably) play his first basketball in two years, and Powell will play his first full season for the Blazers after signing a lucrative offseason extension.
Tier 7: Late-Rounders
Joe Harris, Matisse Thybulle, Kawhi Leonard, Dillon Brooks, Derrick Rose, Jalen Green, De’Anthony Melton, Malik Beasley, Jae’Sean Tate, R.J. Barrett, Donte DiVincenzo, Duncan Robinson
This group is filled with category specialists and guys whose minutes may be in question based on surrounding roster. The most surprising appearance in this tier is Leonard, but given his recovery from surgery on a torn ACL, we likely won’t see him until February at the earliest. Draft at your own peril.
Using Early Yahoo ADP & Rankings to Your Advantage
Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.