Ball safety and playmaking effectivity are two of essentially the most beneficial expertise in in the present day’s NBA. Whereas scoring grabs the headlines, the power to constantly create for teammates with out coughing up possessions is what separates good guards from really elite flooring generals. On this article, we break down the top-10 gamers averaging greater than six assists and fewer than three turnovers per recreation, highlighting the guards and playmakers who’re unselfish on offense this season.
Andrew Nembhard, Pacers
Nembhard had the chance to take the reins of the Pacers’ offense this season as a result of absence of Tyrese Haliburton. Regardless of the squad struggling to the purpose of sitting final place within the East, he has accomplished nicely to ship stable manufacturing throughout the board, together with averaging 7.5 assists, in comparison with simply 2.4 turnovers in 32.1 minutes per recreation. Though he has not been capable of coordinate the assault to the identical degree as Haliburton, he continues to show himself as a dependable ball handler and conscientious distributor. The expertise of being within the driver’s seat this season ought to assist his growth in the long term, as this marks simply his fourth NBA season.
Jamal Murray, Nuggets
Murray has been delivering elite manufacturing for years now, however he’s at the moment engaged on profession highs throughout the board, with 25.6 factors, 4.3 rebounds, and seven.5 assists per recreation. His spectacular numbers are complemented by the truth that he’s limiting himself to only 2.3 turnovers in 35.5 minutes per recreation, regardless of typically being a vital focus of opposing defenses. He has by no means averaged greater than 2.3 turnovers per recreation in his profession, which proves that this season isn’t any fluke, and mixed along with his different stats, he deserves point out among the many prime level guards of his technology.
Davion Mitchell, Warmth
Mitchell has accomplished an awesome job of incomes and sustaining a beginning function over the past couple of seasons. A part of the explanation for his success is his potential to distribute at a excessive degree whereas additionally displaying nice diligence in caring for the ball. With a career-high 7.3 assists per recreation, which is a significant leap from his earlier excessive of 4.9, and simply 1.6 turnovers per recreation, he boasts among the best assist-to-turnover ratios within the league, and the perfect on this record by a notable margin.
Isaiah Collier, Jazz
Collier moved up a spot on this record after an unbelievable efficiency on Tuesday evening, the place he racked up 22 assists, with solely two turnovers in 48 minutes of motion. He’s averaging seven assists and a couple of.3 turnovers per recreation this season, making him one of many league’s most reliable ball handlers in simply his second season. Regardless of his spectacular play, he’ll doubtless stay behind Keyonte George within the Jazz’s rotation at level guard. Nonetheless, there will probably be loads of alternatives for him to proceed to rack up the assists whereas enjoying alongside a gaggle of offensively gifted massive males.
Tyrese Maxey, 76ers
Maxey has turn into one of many league’s prime scorers, however his potential to get teammates concerned with environment friendly distribution can be on the rise. He’s averaging a career-high 6.8 assists and limiting himself to 2.4 turnovers in a whopping 38.9 minutes per recreation. The sixth-year level guard is undoubtedly working in elite territory and sure nonetheless has room to point out enchancment at simply 25 years previous. To not point out, he has not had the good thing about enjoying with a constantly wholesome lineup over the past couple of seasons.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
Final season’s MVP is most frequently touted for his elite scoring potential, however he additionally stands out as one of many league’s most dependable ball handlers. He’s averaging 6.4 assists per recreation, which ties his profession excessive from final season, whereas additionally limiting himself to only 2.1 turnovers per recreation, which is his lowest mark since his sophomore marketing campaign. His potential to push the tempo and draw a number of defenders on his drives to the basket is vital to creating nice move alternatives to open teammates.
Dyson Daniels, Hawks
Daniels is unquestionably one of many extra sudden gamers to search out on this record, as he’s the one one who doesn’t line up at level guard. Nonetheless, he has been an awesome stabilizing presence within the backcourt for his squad as they’ve handled damage bother and roster modifications. He’s averaging a career-high 6.3 assists with simply two turnovers per recreation, standing out as one of the crucial accountable passers within the league this season. Nonetheless, he’s principally recognized for his defensive presence, averaging 1.9 steals per recreation, which is fourth-most within the league.
De’Aaron Fox, Spurs
Fox has been a stable contributor since becoming a member of the Spurs, regardless of producing barely much less throughout the board when in comparison with earlier seasons. Nonetheless, he’s enjoying with effectivity, not solely by taking pictures 47.9 p.c from the sector but additionally by averaging 6.2 assists with simply 2.5 turnovers per recreation. He has the good thing about a top-tier goal to feed in Victor Wembanyama, however the ninth-year guard can be getting into the “wily veteran” stage of his profession, the place he is ready to navigate opposing defenses with confidence and poise.
Jalen Brunson, Knicks
Brunson has been one of many league’s prime level guards for a couple of seasons now. He continues to shine in nearly each method, together with averaging 27.1 factors per recreation, which is the second-most of his profession, together with a career-best 2.9 made 3-pointers per recreation. Moreover, his six assists and a couple of.2 turnovers per recreation make him one of the crucial dependable playmakers. However, his six assists per recreation is his lowest mark since becoming a member of the Knicks.
Immanuel Quickley, Raptors
Quickley could typically be ignored as an elite level guard, as he’s solely in his second season as a clear-cut starter and continues to wrestle along with his field-goal effectivity, having by no means shot higher than 45 p.c from the sector in a season. Nonetheless, his 6.1 assists with simply 1.7 turnovers per recreation give him the second-best assist-to-turnover ratio on this record. At 26-years of age in his sixth NBA season, there may be nonetheless a small window of time during which he doubtless continues to construct on his talents.
