National Basketball Association

NBA Position Rankings: Evan Fournier and the Shooting Guards

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) drives against Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting guard remains one of the most important and versatile positions in the NBA. Evan Fournier is still growing there. Has he cracked the top 10?

Shooting guard has been a key position in NBA history. Many superstars have played that position. Michael Jordan, the best basketball player of all time, was a shooting guard. Recently retired NBA legend Kobe Bryant was a shooting guard.

In a league where shooting has become a critical part of the offense, most elite teams have a star shooting guard who can both attack the basket off the dribble and step out and shoot jumpers effectively.

The Orlando Magic have a young and very talented guard in Evan Fournier, whom they believe can be a highly productive player at the position. So much so, they financially committed to him this summer by giving him a lucrative five-year, $85-million deal.

With Victor Oladipo traded away, Fournier now takes full control of the starting job as shooting guard for the Magic. He no longer has to share playing time with Oladipo, and will have more opportunities to continue his development during game action.

The Magic are banking on Fournier becoming a better player moving forward with more experience. In each of his four seasons that he has been in the league, his overall stats have improved.

With Fournier signed long term, he is a franchise cornerstone for the Magic and they are expecting big things from him.

However, how does he compare against the all the other shooting guards in the NBA?

Honestly, Fournier may very well be a top-15 shooting guard. His numbers stack up well against his fellow colleagues at the position outside the top 10.

Fournier is known more for his offense than his defense. He is an above-average jump shooter, who can knock down 3-pointers and is not a liability on the free-throw line.

As a shooting guard, being a skilled shooter is in the position title, so you would hope he is able to make shots.

Although Fournier has a better offensive game, on the defensive side of the ball he can hold his own. He still needs work in that area. But he has shown signs of being more than capable of defending opposing shooting guards. Fournier has the ideal size at 6-foot-7 to cause havoc defensively.

There is still time for Fournier to continue developing his defense and become a solid two-way player for the Magic.

With a strong season in 2017, Fournier can cement himself as a top-15 shooting guard with the potential to eventually crack the top 10 in future years.

Let’s take a look at the top-10 shooting guards in the league.

Oct 28, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) defends during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

10) Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards

This young and talented shooting guard can score with the best of them, the only problem is he cannot stay on the court.

Bradley Beal was the third overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, and since then he has not played in more than 73 games in a season. He played in his fewest games last season, 55, while only starting in 35 of them because of injuries.

Beal has averaged at least 14 points per game every season. In his limited playing time last season he averaged a career-high 17.4 points per game. Beal would be higher on this list if he could stay healthy and play better defensively. He still has time to play up to his potential.

The Washington Wizards think very highly of Beal and have committed to him long term by giving him the largest deal in franchise history at five years, $128 million. Beal and point guard John Wall form an athletic scoring tandem in the Wizards backcourt.

Apr 3, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) drives the ball against Milwaukee Bucks guard O.J. Mayo (00) in the second half at TD Garden. The Bucks defeated the Celtics 110 to 101. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

9) Avery Bradley, Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics were one of the surprise teams the last two seasons. Expected to be a rebuilding team, Boston finished in a three-way tie with the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks with the third best record in the Eastern Conference.

Even though Avery Bradley is a natural point guard, he plays the shooting guard position for the Celtics since they have All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas.

Bradley set a career high in points at 15.2 per game and steals at 1.5 per game last season. He is known as a solid two-way player. The first three years of his career were a struggle offensively, as he averaged fewer than 10 points per game. But the last three seasons he has averaged at least 14 points per game, and has developed an accurate jump shot.

He was recognized for his defensive performance last season, getting the honor of NBA All-Defensive First Team. Bradley is a lock-down defender.

If Bradley can develop a three-point shot, he would take the next step in his game ranking him a few slots higher in the shooting guard rankings.

Jan 7, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) guards Denver Nuggets guard Nate Robinson (5) in the fourth quarter at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Magic 93-90. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

8) Victor Oladipo, Oklahoma City Thunder

This might sting to Magic fans, but the team recently traded away a top-10 shooting guard. Although Evan Fournier could become one, Victor Oladipo is more established in the league and fills up the stat sheet for the position.

Oladipo can do it all on the court and is a very athletic versatile player excelling both offensively and defensively, which made him appealing for the Magic to draft him with the second overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

He finished in the top 10 for his position in scoring, assists and steals. He was also top five in rebounds and blocks per game as a shooting guard for the Orlando Magic last season.

With Oladipo not on the team anymore, it is Fournier’s job to pick up the slack and essentially replace what Oladipo brought to the table. The trade gives Fournier more playing time, but it’s never easy to trade away a young talented player like Oladipo.

May 8, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Redick (4) shoots a three point basket against the Houston Rockets during the second half in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

7) J.J. Redick, Los Angeles Clippers

Orlando Magic fans are familiar with this sharp shooter too.

J.J. Redick has had a productive career since beginning his career as a first round pick for the Magic 10 years ago in 2006. He now starts for the Los Angeles Clippers and is known as a skilled 3-point shooter that excels at the free-throw line.

The last two seasons for the Clippers, he has averaged at least 16 points per game. He stretches the floor for their floor general Chris Paul and strong perimeter players Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

Redick led all starting NBA shooting guards in 3-point shooting percentage at 47.5 percent last season and also had the best field goal percentage at 48 percent among starting shooting guards.

Going back to his college days at Duke, Redick has maintained his shooting touch and has made himself into a respectable and lethal shooting guard. Emphasis on the shooting.

Mar 12, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) drives to the basket against Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

6) C.J. McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers

C.J. McCollum had a breakout season for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2016 and averaged a career-high 20.8 points per game. The former top-10 pick from tiny Lehigh is making a name for himself as a premiere shooting guard in the NBA.

Last season was McCollum’s first time being a full-time starter, by starting in all 80 games he played in. He and teammate point guard Damian Lillard are forming a formidable 1-2 scoring punch in the backcourt for the Trail Blazers.

As a result of his strong performance throughout the season, McCollum was named the NBA Most Improved Player in the league for 2016. He will look to build on that to prove last season was not a fluke.

5) Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks

Speaking of breakout performances, Khris Middleton made his presence felt around the league last season and has become the best player on the Milwaukee Bucks. He averaged a career-high 18.2 points, 4.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game during 2016.

The former second-round pick is coming into his own and made the most of his opportunity. Middleton played and started in a career-best 79 games. He has the size of a small forward at 6-foot-8, so he causes mismatches on the court both offensively and defensively.

Middleton has improved each of the last four seasons he has been in the league. Once he got traded from the Detroit Pistons to the Bucks after his rookie year, he has been a fixture in the Bucks young core. In the summer of 2015, the Bucks committed to him financially by awarding him a five-year, $70-million deal, a bargain in today’s NBA free agent market.

Middleton will try to take the next step in his young career and plenty of time to develop, since he is only 24 years young.

Dec 20, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) dribbles the ball against the Portland Trailblazers at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports

4) Dwyane Wade, Chicago Bulls

Ever since Dwyane Wade entered the league, he has been one of the best shooting guards in the NBA. Although he is getting up there in age, Wade can still play at a very high level and was nicknamed “Father Prime” by fans.

The Miami Heat’s face for the last two decades has a new team this year as Wade will be playing for his hometown Chicago Bulls. It will take some time to get used to seeing him in a different uniform.

Talent has never been an issue for Wade, his health has.

He played in the most games during last season, 74 games, than he did the last five seasons. Wade leaves it all on the court and sacrifices his body, which caused him to suffer injuries throughout his career.

He is known as an amazing two-way player, achieving a NBA scoring title and making numerous NBA All-Defensive first teams, while also going to 12 NBA All-Star games during his legendary career.

The future hall of famer and three-time NBA Champion, still has some great years left in his career. He will look to prove the doubters wrong in his new city playing in front of his hometown fans. Wade may very well be the best shooting guard to play for the Bulls, since NBA legend Michael Jordan.

November 17, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

3) DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors are the biggest threat to the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference, and a big reason for that is their starting backcourt that includes point guard Kyle Lowry and features shooting guard DeMar DeRozan.

The two-time All-Star had a productive summer both on and off the court.

As a free agent, he received a max contract for five years, worth a whopping $139 million. He also earned a gold medal for Team USA Basketball at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games in Brazil.

DeRozan averaged a career-high 23.5 points per game last season, which ranked him second among NBA starting shooting guards. Although he can score, he needs to work on his defense.

If DeRozan continues getting better, he could become the greatest Toronto Raptor of All-Time.

May 28, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the third quarter in game six of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

2) Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

The best starting backcourt in the NBA belongs to the Golden State Warriors, the team that won a NBA-record 73 games last season. Splash Brothers: point guard Stephen Curry and shooting guard Klay Thompson are both the top shooters in the league. When they shoot, you expect it to go in.

Thompson averaged a career-high 22.1 points per game last season. He has been an All Star the last two seasons, while also being honored on the All-NBA Third Team.

Thompson holds several NBA scoring records, such as having a 37-point quarter during a regular season game in the 2015 season. Recently, during the 2016 NBA playoffs Thompson made a NBA-record 11 threes in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals.

He was a member of Team USA Basketball during the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic games in Brazil, helping the team win a gold medal.

Statistically, Thompson is a very accurate shooter having the second highest field goal percentage. He made the most 3-point shots among shooting guards in the NBA last season.

1) James Harden, Houston Rockets

Fear the beard.

Since James Harden has been a Houston Rocket, he has led the shooting guard position in scoring the past four seasons averaging at least 25 points per game. Last season, he had career highs in points per game (29), assists (7.5) and rebounds (6.1).

Harden as a Rocket has made the All-Star team the last four seasons. With Dwight Howard not on the team anymore, Houston is now completely the James Harden show.

Offense has never been an issue for Harden, it is his defense that is subpar to say the least. If he can improve on that side of the ball, then Harden could become unstoppable at the shooting guard position.

Apr 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) looks to pass as Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) defends in the third quarter at Amway Center. The Orlando Magic won 119-107. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Evan Fournier’s Ranking

In my shooting guard rankings, I had Fournier rated as a top-15 shooting guard by just making the cut at 14 overall. Nevertheless, he is definitely top 20 at his position.

Ranked outside the top 10 is sharp shooter Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs at 11, dynamic and high-volume bench scorer Jamal Crawford of the Los Angeles Clippers at 12, the lethal shooter Monta Ellis of the Indiana Pacers at 13, Fournier at 14, and solid veteran, as well as former Magic player, Courtney Lee of the New York Knicks at 15.

If Fournier has a breakout season this year, he could push close to the top 10 for shooting guards in the league.

He has the offensive talent. Fournier just needs to become more polished defensively. Having a defensive-minded coach in Frank Vogel will help with his development.

Fournier has the potential. The Orlando Magic are expecting big things from Fournier moving forward after giving him a lucrative five-year, $85 million this summer.

He had a breakout season last year for the Magic, having career highs in points (15.4), assists (2.7) and rebounds (2.8) per game in 2016. Fournier also played in (79) and started in (71) the most games in a season for his young career.

He will look to build off of that this upcoming season. No pressure.