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

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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BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 01: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the press conference at TD Garden on September 1, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

6. Gordon Hayward, Boston Celtics

One of the most underrated players on this list is Gordon Hayward. A massive part of Hayward’s underrated-ness was the team he played for. Utah was always a middle of the road playoff team who never really got over the hump during his time as a member of the Jazz.

They hardly ever had primetime games on ESPN or ABC, so outside of the basketball nerds (like me), the nation hasn’t gotten a full appreciation for Hayward’s talents.

Last season Hayward made a big leap by making his first All-Star game averaging 21.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, both career highs. Some of you may have heard, but Hayward was a free agent this offseason and signed with his former college head coach in Boston. With Hayward and Kyrie Irving as Celtics, this new roster has a lot of promise, and looks to be the favorite to be the 1 seed in the weaker Eastern Conference.

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