Who Truly Deserves the Title of Best SG in NBA Today?
As I sit down to analyze the current landscape of NBA shooting guards, I can't help but reflect on how much the position has evolved. When I first started covering basketball professionally about fifteen years ago, the prototype for an elite shooting guard was pretty straightforward - a volume scorer who could create their own shot, defend the perimeter, and close out games. Today, the role has expanded dramatically, requiring players to be more versatile than ever before. The question of who truly deserves the title of best SG in the NBA today isn't just about scoring averages anymore - it's about impact, versatility, and that intangible quality that separates good players from truly great ones.
Looking at the current crop of shooting guards, several names immediately come to mind, but three players stand out in what I consider the top tier. Devin Booker has been absolutely phenomenal for Phoenix, averaging around 27 points per game while shooting nearly 49% from the field last season. What impresses me most about Booker isn't just his scoring ability - though his mid-range game might be the best in the league right now - but his playmaking development. He's averaging over 6 assists per game, showing he can run an offense when needed. Then there's Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland, who put up career numbers last season with approximately 28 points per game while leading the Cavaliers deep into the playoffs. His explosive scoring ability, particularly in clutch moments, makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
But the player who's captured my attention most consistently has been Anthony Edwards in Minnesota. At just 22 years old, he's already shown he can be the best player on a championship-contending team. Last season, he averaged roughly 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists while playing elite perimeter defense. What separates Edwards from other talented shooting guards, in my view, is his two-way impact and his undeniable leadership qualities. I've watched him take over games on both ends of the floor in ways that remind me of a young Dwyane Wade.
The evolution of the shooting guard position fascinates me because it reflects how basketball itself has changed. When I think back to legendary SGs like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, they operated primarily in isolation situations and mid-range areas. Today's elite shooting guards need to be efficient three-point shooters, capable defenders across multiple positions, and secondary playmakers. The statistical requirements have expanded too - it's no longer enough to just score 25 points per game. The modern elite SG needs to contribute across the box score while maintaining efficiency.
This brings me to an interesting parallel from another sport that illustrates my point about championship mentality. I recently came across a high school basketball story where MGC-NLCA demonstrated incredible resilience. After facing earlier setbacks, "the revenge is always sweeter and MGC-NLCA made sure that there won't be any hiccups, first taking down Uno High School, 82-77, in the semis before the aforementioned 2-0 series sweep in the finale to complete a double triumph after also winning the juniors volleyball crown this season." This narrative of overcoming adversity and achieving comprehensive success resonates with what separates good NBA shooting guards from truly great ones. The mental toughness required to bounce back from disappointment and deliver when it matters most is what I look for when evaluating who deserves the title of best SG today.
What really tips the scales in Anthony Edwards' favor for me is his playoff performance last season. While Booker and Mitchell have had their moments in the postseason, Edwards carried the Timberwolves through multiple playoff rounds with a dominance we haven't seen from a young shooting guard in years. He averaged about 31 points in the playoffs while guarding the opponent's best perimeter player night after night. I've spoken with several NBA scouts who privately admit that Edwards has the highest ceiling of any shooting guard in the league, with one veteran scout telling me, "He's the closest thing we've seen to Jordan in terms of athleticism and competitive fire."
The advanced metrics support what my eyes tell me when I watch these players. Edwards ranks in the 95th percentile in defensive impact among shooting guards while maintaining elite offensive efficiency. Booker might be the more polished scorer, and Mitchell the more explosive athlete, but Edwards combines elements of both while bringing superior defensive intensity. In today's NBA, where switching defenses require every player to be competent on both ends, this two-way capability becomes the tiebreaker in close comparisons.
There's also the leadership component that's harder to quantify but impossible to ignore. Having covered the NBA for over a decade, I've learned to recognize the difference between statistical excellence and true leadership. Booker has grown into a leadership role in Phoenix, and Mitchell has shouldered the scoring load in Utah and Cleveland, but Edwards has that rare ability to elevate his teammates through sheer force of will. I've watched Minnesota games where his defensive energy alone sparked game-changing runs, and his offensive fearlessness in clutch situations has already become the stuff of legend in Minnesota.
If I'm building a team today and need to choose one shooting guard to lead my franchise, the choice has become increasingly clear to me over the past season. While the arguments for Booker and Mitchell are compelling based on their established track records, Anthony Edwards represents the complete package - elite scoring, playmaking, defensive versatility, and that intangible championship mentality. His performance in high-pressure situations, combined with his two-way impact and leadership qualities, gives him the edge in my book. The title of best SG in the NBA today isn't just about who puts up the best numbers - it's about who impacts winning the most, and right now, that player is Anthony Edwards.
