Ranking The 5 Best NBA Players At Every Position For The 2023-24 Season (January 2024)

The 2023-24 NBA season is approaching its halfway mark, with most teams hovering around 35-40 games played. To this point, we have seen numerous players at every position insert themselves into MVP, All-Star, and even Most Improved Player conversations. This shakeup in talent in the running for certain accolades has also shifted the hierarchy when it comes to the best players at every position on the court. 

Below, we have broken down which five players rank at the top of their respective positions based on both stats and overall impact on team success. The results will both shock you and leave you wanting more as the season unfolds.

The 5 Best Point Guards In The NBA Right Now

1. Luka Doncic

2023-24 Stats: 33.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 9.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.6 BPG

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

2023-24 Stats: 31.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 6.4 APG, 2.4 SPG, 0.7 BPG

3. Tyrese Haliburton

2023-24 Stats: 24.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 12.7 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG

4. Stephen Curry

2023-24 Stats: 27.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.6 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG

5. De’Aaron Fox

2023-24 Stats: 28.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG

The point guard position has been one of the popular topics so far this season with a complete change at the top of their positional rankings. The race at the top currently has Luka Doncic ahead as he has taken an even bigger leap in his sixth NBA season. Doncic is currently averaging a career-high 33.7 points per game, shooting 48.7% overall and a career-high 38.3% from three. His defense has improved immensely as well which in turn has led the Mavericks to a 22-15 record through 37 games and Doncic into the thick of an MVP race.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has built on a breakout 2022-23 season that has carried over to 2023-24 on both an individual and team level. Gilgeous-Alexander is currently averaging over 31.0 points per game for the second straight season and shooting 54.7% from the field. He is also the NBA’s leader in steals to this point, averaging 2.4 steals per game. Thanks to his leadership, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 24-11 and sit second in the Western Conference.

Tyrese Haliburton has had an extraordinary start to the season for the Indiana Pacers. It all started leading up to the In-Season Tournament Finals in which Haliburton led Indiana to upset wins over the Bucks and Celtics, two powerhouses in the Eastern Conference. Currently, Haliburton is averaging over 24.0 points per game and is the NBA’s assists leader at 12.7 assists per game. Haliburton’s play has led Indiana to a 20-15 start to their season, good for seventh in the East and right in the thick of playoff contention.

Stephen Curry’s spot as the fourth-best point guard in the NBA is unfamiliar territory for the four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP. Curry has played well individually but has done little to help the Warriors as a unit. Curry is currently sporting 45/39/92 shooting splits while averaging 37.1 points per game. Unfortunately, the Warriors have struggled mightily, going 17-19 through 36 games, and currently find themselves out of the playoff picture in the Western Conference.

To round out the top five at the point guard position, there are plenty of names who could be on this list. Tyrese Maxey and Jalen Brunson have been tremendous for their respective teams but just edging them out is De’Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings. Through 29 games played, Fox is averaging a career-high 28.3 points per game while shooting 46.9% overall and 38.7% from three. The NBA’s reigning Clutch Player of the Year has led the Kings to a 21-14 record through 35 games, sitting tied for the fifth spot in the West.

The 5 Best Shooting Guards In The NBA Right Now

1. Anthony Edwards

2023-24 Stats: 26.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.7 BPG

2. Devin Booker

2023-24 Stats: 26.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 7.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG

3. Donovan Mitchell

2023-24 Stats: 27.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG

4. Kyrie Irving

2023-24 Stats: 23.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.5 BPG

5. Tyler Herro

2023-24 Stats: 22.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.1 BPG

The shooting guard position has been an exciting position to keep up with this season, loaded with both veteran and young talent. Stealing the No. 1 spot up to this point has been Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards who has the Timberwolves atop the Western Conference standings with a 25-10 record through 35 games. Edwards has led the charge for his team on both sides of the floor, averaging a career-high in points (26.8) and assists (5.0). He also has recorded a career-high 58.5% true shooting percentage and has the best defensive rating among shooting guards in the NBA (108.8).

Devin Booker has fallen just behind Edwards at the shooting guard position for the time being. Booker has had to go back and forth between shooting guard and point guard some nights, proving to be the playmaker the Suns need on more than one occasion. Booker’s 26.1 points per game and career-high 7.8 assists per game have done little to prevent the injury bug from taking its toll on the Suns, leading to a 19-18 record through 37 games for the preseason Finals contenders.

Donovan Mitchell remains in the third spot at the shooting guard position much like where he ended his 2022-23 All-NBA campaign. Mitchell is currently averaging 27.2 points per game this season through 27 games played while shooting 45.5% from the field. He is averaging a career-high in assists (5.7) and steals per game (1.9) as well. Despite injuries to starters Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, Mitchell has kept the Cavaliers afloat with a 21-15 record, good for sixth in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Kyrie Irving has had his struggles this season due to an unfortunate heel injury that caused him to miss 16 games. Despite the injury, he and backcourt partner Luka Doncic have found common ground on the court together and have the Mavericks playing extremely well as a team. Through 21 games played, Kyrie is averaging 23.5 points and 5.1 assists per game but Irving is shooting 42.0% from three and committing the fewest turnovers of his career with just 1.4 per game.

The final spot for the top five at the shooting guard position could have gone to plenty of candidates. Derrick White, Desmond Bane, and Dejounte Murray have all been exceptional this season. However, Tyler Herro has done a tremendous job for the Miami Heat in the wake of Jimmy Butler’s injury to claim the fifth spot. Herro is currently averaging 22.7 points per game and a career-high 42.0% shooting from three. Thanks to his elevation of play, Herro has the Heat at 21-15 and right in the thick of an Eastern Conference playoff chase.

The 5 Best Small Forwards In The NBA Right Now

1. LeBron James

2023-24 Stats: 25.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.6 BPG

2. Kawhi Leonard

2023-24 Stats: 23.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG

3. Paul George

2023-24 Stats: 23.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG

4. Jaylen Brown

2023-24 Stats: 23.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 BPG

5. Jimmy Butler

2023-24 Stats: 21.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG

As we had into our forward positions in 2023-24, 39-year-old LeBron James still reigns supreme among the small forwards. James has been one of the few bright spots for a struggling Lakers squad looking to get back into the thick of the playoff picture in the West. James has led Los Angeles with his elite all-around play that has seen him average 25.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game on 52.7% shooting. The Lakers are currently just 18-19 on the season and sit in 10th in the Western Conference.

Kawhi Leonard has been incredible for the Los Angeles Clippers this season, leading them to a 23-13 record through 35 games and 14-3 over their last 17. While injuries were a concern for him heading into the year, Leonard has missed only four games in 2023-24 while leading the Clippers in both scoring and steals. Right now, the Clippers are fourth in the Western Conference thanks to Leonard and just two and a half games out of first place.

Paul George is another member of the Los Angeles Clippers directly responsible for their success this season. Most importantly, he has been healthy, playing in 34 of 36 games so far this season for the Clippers after missing 26 games in 2022-23. George is shooting 46.0% from the field overall and 40.9% from three as the Clippers have gotten off to a 23-13 start and are fourth in the Western Conference.

Taking the fourth spot in our shooting guard group is the second option on the best team in basketball, Jaylen Brown. Through 36 games, the Celtics are 28-8 with Brown averaging 23.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Brown is shooting 49.2% from the floor overall and 35.3% from three while also committing his fewest turnovers per game since 2020. Brown is having yet another All-Star-worthy season which would be his third selection in the last four years.

Jimmy Butler is always going to find himself in the middle of the conversation for the best small forward in the NBA both for his play and the impact he has on his team. Butler has struggled with injuries this season but remains one of the NBA’s top small forwards with 21.0 points per game on 46.4% shooting. Despite the injuries, the Heat are 14-10 with Butler in the lineup and 20-15 overall for the season, meaning they are just 6-5 without him in the lineup.

The 5 Best Power Forwards In The NBA Right Now

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo

2023-24 Stats: 31.4 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.2 BPG

2. Jayson Tatum

2023-24 Stats: 27.5 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG

3. Kevin Durant

2023-24 Stats: 29.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.1 BPG

4. Anthony Davis

2023-24 Stats: 25.2 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, 2.6 BPG

5. Paolo Banchero

2023-24 Stats: 23.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG

The top of the power forward rankings in the NBA right now look the same as they have since 2019. Giannis Antetokounmpo sits comfortably in the top spot once again averaging over 31.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game while playing elite defense on the other end. Giannis is among the top MVP candidates so far this season as well, leading Milwaukee to a 25-12 record while playing 36 of 37 total games. Despite recent hurdles they have had to face as a team, Milwaukee has turned to their leader who has them just 3.5 games out of first place in the East.

The top spot in the Eastern Conference currently belongs to the Boston Celtics led by their superstar and MVP candidate Jayson Tatum. Through 33 games, Tatum has averaged 27.5 points per game while shooting 47.9% overall and 36.7% from three, better numbers than his 2022-23 season. The Celtics have reaped the benefits of Tatum’s more efficient play, boasting a 28-7 record, the best in the NBA to this point.

Despite his great individual numbers, Kevin Durant has slid in the NBA’s power forward rankings as of late. Durant is currently averaging 29.6 points per game on 52/47/87 shooting splits but the Phoenix Suns are struggling to say the least. Despite his great individual play, his team is just 19-18 on the season and eighth in the Western Conference playoff race.

Anthony Davis comes in at the fourth spot with Defensive Player of the Year honors well within his grasp. Davis and the Lakers have been in a slump as of late but that is at no fault of his. He has played elite basketball on both sides of the court and done so in a healthy manner appearing in 35 of 37 games so far this season. Davis is having his best defensive season since 2016 while shooting over 55.5% from the field including 32.4% from three.

I have no problem putting second-year forward and reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero in the top five for power forwards this season. Banchero has helped inject life into the Orlando Magic and their fanbase, averaging 23.1 points per game while shooting 46.1% overall and 38.5% from beyond the arc. Banchero’s play has led Orlando to a 21-15 record through 36 games and a fourth seed in the East way ahead of schedule in their rebuild.

The 5 Best Centers In The NBA Right Now

1. Nikola Jokic

2023-24 Stats: 25.5 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 9.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG

2. Joel Embiid

2023-24 Stats: 34.6 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 2.0 BPG

3. Domantas Sabonis

2023-24 Stats: 19.7 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 7.6 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG

4. Bam Adebayo

2023-24 Stats: 22.0 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG

5. Alperen Sengun

2023-24 Stats: 21.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG

The big man is back in the NBA and the five best players at the center position have represented that fact extremely well. Sitting atop the rankings for centers right now is the NBA’s reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic. At this moment, Jokic is just 0.8 assists per game shy of averaging a triple-double for the entire season, leading Denver to a 26-12 record just 0.5 games out of first in the West. Jokic has held onto his title for the best player in the world but there is another fellow center hot on his heels for that distinction.

For the third consecutive season, Joel Embiid is leading the NBA in scoring, averaging 34.6 points per game on 53.5% shooting. Embiid has shown his vast skill set aside from scoring the ball, playing elite defense averaging over 1.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per game. Embiid’s play has been fascinating to watch as the 76ers dealt with yet another drama-filled offseason this past summer. Led by their reigning MVP, Philadelphia has gone 23-12 through 35 games and is currently third in a loaded Eastern Conference.

Domantas Sabonis is quietly having yet another All-NBA caliber season with the Sacramento Kings. Sabonis is doing everything a modern-day NBA center should do and then some, leading the NBA in rebounds once again with 12.8 rebounds per game while also contributing 19.7 points and 7.6 assists per game. Sabonis’ play has helped the Kings go 21-14 through 35 games and reach the fifth spot in the Western Conference.

Bam Adebayo is certainly among the five best centers in the NBA right now for his complete two-way game keeping the Miami Heat afloat despite injuries and depth being an issue. Adebayo is averaging a career-high 22.0 points per game, 10.3 rebounds per game, and is providing elite defense as he often does. With Miami 21-15 and tied for fourth in the East, the team has been able to rely on Bam Adebayo more than ever before when it comes to his play on both ends of the court.

Wrapping things up for our top five centers in the NBA right now is a player who has been dubbed “Baby Jokic” for his breakout 2023-24 campaign. Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets, in just his third season, has taken the league by storm showcasing his all-around skills perfect for the modern-day NBA. Sengung is currently averaging 21.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game while shooting 53.8% from the floor. Sengun’s leadership on the court and growth under new coach Ime Udoka has helped the Rockets stay competitive ahead of schedule, going 18-17 through 35 games and sitting ninth in the Western Conference.