Should He Play Backup PG?

[pacers]

Should He Play Backup PG?
As we all know, players at PG have more volume at the expense of more turnovers. Players can be so OP at PG that there are even special rules as to who can play PG!

Backup PG is therefore one of the most important positions in the DC, as any PG/SG/SF can play backup PG. It's also one of the riskiest because players' turnover tendencies are badly exposed at PG. There are obviously many other factors e.g. rebound rate, scoring efficiency, etc - but turnover tendency is one of the most important factors in picking a backup PG.

As such, I've ranked all PGs, SGs, and SFs in the league by a "should he play backup PG" metric that measures how "risky" it is to play them at backup PG (that is, how likely they are to lose you games due to turnovers.

• "Should Play Backup PG" = combines passing tendency (how many of their possessions end in an assist) and turnover tendency (how many of their possessions end in a turnover)
• Player possessions = FGA + TO + 0.44*FTA
• This metric is adjusted for volume and minutes, so players who have a high absolute turnover number (e.g. MPJ) might look better than expected.
• This metric assumes that players pass more at PG and their handling is exposed more at PG - both of which are fairly safe assumptions.
• The HIGHER this metric is, the "safer" this player is to play at backup PG.

Below are the rankings for all SG/SF and PF/C on this metric. Note that:

• Stats are skewed here by whether the player already plays PG (either because they have the "can play PG" stip or because they already play backup PG).
• This ignores whether the PF/C is eligible to play PG.
• There is some variation in turnover tendency at the other positions (playing at SG tends to induce more turnovers than playing at SF, and playing at PF tends to induce more turnovers than playing at C) but it's minor enough that I don't normalize for that in this metric.
• Metrics below are from the 2026-27 season and filtered for playing over 500 minutes.

Enjoy!

"Should he play backup PG": All SG/SF
Semi Ojeleye SF Hornets 9.04
Josh Okogie SG Suns 8.92
Jaylen Brown SF Grizzlies 8.69
Myles Turner SF Knicks 8.66
Toumani Camara SF Mavericks 8.62
Jaden McDaniels SF Spurs 8.58
Lauri Markkanen SF Trail Blazers 8.44
Aaron Gordon SF Kings 8.36
Jabari Parker SF Celtics 8.33
Trey Murphy III SF Raptors 8.28
Tim Hardaway Jr. SG Jazz 8.26
Kawhi Leonard SF Heat 8.24
Kevin Durant SF Nets 8.24
Shabazz Muhammad SG Trail Blazers 8.22
Malik Beasley SG Knicks 8.22
Isaac Okoro SG Warriors 8.21
Mikal Bridges SG Warriors 8.20
Derrick Jones Jr. SF SuperSonics 8.19
Obi Toppin SF Rockets 8.18
Otto Porter Jr. SF Bulls 8.15
Lonnie Walker IV SG Celtics 8.13
Duncan Robinson SG Pacers 8.10
Julian Champagnie SG Pacers 8.09
Glen Rice Jr. SF Knicks 8.06
Jonathan Kuminga SF Hawks 8.05
Marvin Bagley III SF Magic 8.04
RJ Barrett SG Nuggets 8.04
Ausar Thompson SF Cavaliers 8.03
Cam Whitmore SF SuperSonics 8.00
Andre Roberson SF Suns 8.00
Luguentz Dort SG Bullets 7.97
James Wiseman SF Celtics 7.95
Desmond Bane SF Grizzlies 7.94
Jaylen Wells SG Lakers 7.93
Brandon Miller SG Clippers 7.92
Kon Knueppel SG Grizzlies 7.92
Grayson Allen SG Heat 7.89
Julius Randle SF Timberwolves 7.89
Gradey Dick SG Spurs 7.88
Herbert Jones SF Hawks 7.88
Chuma Okeke SF Raptors 7.87
Collin Sexton SG Heat 7.85
Amen Thompson SF Raptors 7.85
Patrick Williams SF Jazz 7.83
Miles Bridges SF Jazz 7.81
Victor Oladipo SG Bucks 7.81
Nikola Jokic SF Raptors 7.78
Patrick Baldwin Jr. SF Pistons 7.76
Jalen Williams SG Pacers 7.75
Donte DiVincenzo SG Bucks 7.75
Jaime Jaquez Jr. SF Trail Blazers 7.73
Michael Porter Jr. SF Suns 7.70
Benn Mathurin SF Rockets 7.70
Zaccharie Risacher SF Nuggets 7.69
Tre Johnson SG Hornets 7.66
Sam Hauser SF Cavaliers 7.62
Kelly Oubre Jr. SF Kings 7.61
Jayson Tatum SF Warriors 7.60
Keegan Murray SF Nets 7.58
Dorian Finney-Smith SF Celtics 7.57
Devin Booker SG Bulls 7.56
Cade Cunningham SF Pistons 7.53
Caris LeVert SG Pistons 7.53
Jalen Green SG Knicks 7.47
Ace Bailey SG Timberwolves 7.43
Dillon Brooks SF Bucks 7.39
Devin Vassell SF Lakers 7.35
Matas Buzelis SG Mavericks 7.35
Markieff Morris SF Bullets 7.35
Caleb Martin SF Bucks 7.35
LeBron James SF Spurs 7.34
Paul George SF Rockets 7.29
Denzel Valentine SF Clippers 7.28
Anthony Edwards SG Bullets 7.26
Anfernee Simons SG Clippers 7.25
Jalen McDaniels SF Spurs 7.24
Jared McCain SG Lakers 7.18
Zach LaVine SG SuperSonics 7.17
Terence Davis SG Hornets 7.14
Nate Ament SF Mavericks 7.13
OG Anunoby SF Pistons 7.13
Noa Essengue SF Mavericks 7.11
Austin Reaves SG Bullets 7.11
Josh Minott SF Pacers 7.11
Chris Boucher SF SuperSonics 7.05
Franz Wagner SF Cavaliers 7.04
Jalen Brunson SG SuperSonics 7.02
Ron Holland SF Nuggets 7.00
Brandon Ingram SF 76ers 6.95
Cooper Flagg SF Nets 6.85
Deividas Sirvydis SG Lakers 6.84
Dillon Jones SF Suns 6.84
Tyler Herro SG 76ers 6.83
AJ Dybantsa SF Cavaliers 6.82
Scottie Barnes SF Hawks 6.77
Max Strus SG Pistons 6.75
Jeremy Lamb SG Suns 6.72
Donovan Mitchell SG Hawks 6.71
Colby Jones SG Magic 6.70
Shaedon Sharpe SG Cavaliers 6.70
Cason Wallace SG Grizzlies 6.63
Pacome Dadiet SG Rockets 6.62
Jeremy Sochan SF Trail Blazers 6.59
Stanley Johnson SF Lakers 6.59
Jordan Walsh SF Knicks 6.56
Matisse Thybulle SG Nuggets 6.45
LiAngelo Ball SF 76ers 6.42
Jamal Murray SG Magic 6.31
Jalen Haralson SG Jazz 6.22
VJ Edgecombe SG Trail Blazers 6.19
Brady Koehler SF Lakers 6.10
Jalen Suggs SG 76ers 6.03
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander SG Hawks 5.95
Ben McLemore SG Rockets 5.88
Luka Doncic SF Bulls 5.85
Darius Garland SG Pacers 5.71
Josh Hart SF Spurs 5.69
Reed Sheppard SG Celtics 5.55
Tyrese Maxey SG Bullets 5.53
Dash Daniels SG Mavericks 5.37
Dylan Harper SG Suns 5.25
Ben Simmons SF Trail Blazers 5.19
Talen Horton-Tucker SG Bullets 5.09
Jordan Poole SG Lakers 4.95
Brandin Podziemski SG Kings 4.81
Isaac Bonga SF Kings 4.32
Immanuel Quickley SG Timberwolves 4.14
Egor Demin SG Warriors 4.08
Josh Giddey SF Raptors 4.05
Boogie Fland SG Warriors 3.93
Jeremiah Fears SG Bucks 3.45
Dyson Daniels SG Grizzlies 3.37

"Should he play backup PG": All PF/C
Rui Hachimura PF Magic 8.80
John Collins PF Rockets 8.70
Justise Winslow PF Kings 8.70
Henry Ellenson PF Clippers 8.70
Jahlil Okafor C Suns 8.46
Kristaps Porzingis PF Bucks 8.42
Mike Muscala C Jazz 8.40
Anthony Bennett C Pistons 8.40
Tarris Reed C Timberwolves 8.37
Anthony Davis C Bullets 8.24
Sandro Mamukelashvili C Clippers 8.22
Khaman Maluach C 76ers 8.13
Montrezl Harrell C SuperSonics 8.13
Deandre Ayton C Rockets 8.07
Chet Holmgren C Kings 8.03
Andre Drummond C Pacers 8.03
Naz Reid C Trail Blazers 8.02
Evan Mobley PF Pistons 8.02
Blake Griffin PF Grizzlies 8.00
Rudy Gobert C Magic 7.96
Christian Wood PF Jazz 7.95
Victor Wembanyama C Raptors 7.94
Ivica Zubac C Warriors 7.93
Kel'el Ware C Grizzlies 7.88
Moritz Wagner C Jazz 7.88
DeMarcus Cousins C Suns 7.88
Udoka Azubuike C Bullets 7.83
Joan Beringer C Clippers 7.82
Tidjane Sala¸n PF Timberwolves 7.79
Quinten Post C Raptors 7.77
Giannis Antetokounmpo PF Timberwolves 7.71
Domantas Sabonis PF Nets 7.71
Derik Queen C Spurs 7.70
Jaxson Hayes C Nuggets 7.70
Daniel Gafford C Pistons 7.68
Thomas Bryant C Bucks 7.67
Wendell Carter Jr. C 76ers 7.65
Brandon Clarke PF Magic 7.63
Isaiah Jackson C Bulls 7.63
Tarik Black C Bucks 7.61
Mitchell Robinson C Suns 7.59
Jonathan Isaac PF Hornets 7.56
Karl Anthony-Towns PF Spurs 7.56
Alex Sarr C Pacers 7.52
Cameron Boozer PF Hawks 7.44
Michael Ruzic PF Nuggets 7.42
Willy Hernangomez C Spurs 7.42
Luke Kornet C Bucks 7.39
Jalen Duren C Cavaliers 7.39
Robert Williams C Bucks 7.27
Precious Achiuwa C Warriors 7.27
Tari Eason C Hawks 7.26
Walker Kessler C Warriors 7.22
Zach Edey C Magic 7.22
Thomas Sorber PF Cavaliers 7.21
Wenyen Gabriel PF Nuggets 7.19
Alperen Sengun C Heat 7.14
Jaren Jackson Jr. PF Hornets 7.14
Nathan Knight C Spurs 7.12
Pascal Siakam PF Mavericks 7.11
Willie Cauley-Stein C 76ers 7.11
Zion Williamson PF Nets 7.10
Dereck Lively II C Kings 7.10
Day'Ron Sharpe C Celtics 7.05
Alex Len C Suns 7.05
Neemias Queta C Pacers 7.02
Dwight Powell C Magic 7.02
Collin Murray-Boyles PF Raptors 7.01
Clint Capela C Pacers 6.99
Joel Embiid C Rockets 6.99
Jevon Porter PF Nuggets 6.77
Richaun Holmes C Mavericks 6.75
Bam Adebayo C Cavaliers 6.75
Goga Bitadze C Grizzlies 6.69
Zach Collins C Knicks 6.65
Jarrett Allen C Celtics 6.63
Danny Wolf PF Clippers 6.60
Paolo Banchero PF Nets 6.59
Liam Robbins C Jazz 6.58
Darius Bazley PF Pistons 6.54
Thon Maker C SuperSonics 6.46
Trayce Jackson-Davis C Hawks 6.46
Skal Labissiere PF Bullets 6.31
Donovan Clingan C Rockets 6.29
Koa Peat PF Mavericks 6.29
Jakob Poeltl C Spurs 6.25
Alex Condon C Heat 6.21
Nic Claxton C Timberwolves 6.21
Omer Yurtseven C Lakers 6.12
Marquese Chriss C Heat 6.12
Jordan Bell C SuperSonics 6.12
Jusuf Nurkic C Trail Blazers 6.00
Xavier Tillman Sr. C Bulls 5.98
Tristan Vukcevic C Lakers 5.94
Jarred Vanderbilt PF Bullets 5.90
Terrence Jones PF Lakers 5.89
Steven Adams C Bulls 5.86
Ariel Hukporti C Grizzlies 5.81
Dakari Johnson C Celtics 5.78
Bismack Biyombo C Knicks 5.69
Jaylin Williams C Hornets 5.64
Yves Missi C Knicks 5.64
Larry Sanders C Bulls 5.58
Usman Garuba C Hawks 5.54
Jared Sullinger C Warriors 5.50
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist PF Celtics 5.42
Mo Bamba C Knicks 5.41
Kevon Looney C Celtics 5.04
Tacko Fall C Bulls 4.80
Nerlens Noel C 76ers 4.03

[R B]

Super interesting Tong!

I’m surprised to see Bonga so low

[Clinton]

So uhm if the player is at the bottom of should he play PG…i shouldnt be starting him? Asking for a friend

[Matt]

Super cool!

Would be interesting to see the delineation of which players currently are getting PG minutes, which would in theory decrease this metric

[Joe]

Jabari at backup PG feels like sicko stuff but it seems I have to try it

[Josh]

So Dyson should not play backup pg?

[Derek]

“Stats are skewed here by whether the player already plays PG (either because they have the "can play PG" stip or because they already play backup PG)”

[Josh]

It would skew it so much he’d be the worst backup PG?