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NBA: Ranking the top 10 small forwards entering 2017-18

By Ryan Magdziarz

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 09: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors speak after a foul in the third quarter in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 9, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 09: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors speak after a foul in the third quarter in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 9, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 9: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends adjacent Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter of the game on December 9, 2015 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 9: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends adjacent Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter of the game on December 9, 2015 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

7. Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves

After this past season, Andrew Wiggins has asserted himself a comfortable spot in the top 10 for years to come. His 3-point shooting has developed him into a much more consistent scorer (35.6 percent) and significantly harder to guard. Defenders have to take his perimeter pump fakes seriously and try to contest. His athletic ability has always been there, as he’s able to use a quick burst to blow by bad defensive close outs.

As offense was a huge part in his come up last year (23.6 ppg), the defensive side of the ball is where his next level needs to come from. Wiggins has been a below averaged defender despite his freakish length and athleticism. The main concern for this isn’t athletically, but mentally.

It didn’t help that Minnesota had no shot in making the playoffs last season, which meant the drive to compete on both ends just wasn’t there. With a tenacious multi-time all-star in Jimmy Butler being added to this roster next season, this will change. Jimmy will not allow for young studs like KAT and Wiggins to waste their prime youth and not play defense. Look for a huge jump in competitiveness in both Towns and Wiggins in 2018.

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