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

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MEMPHIS, TN – APRIL 22: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs pumps his fist after making a three point shot against the Memphis Grizzlies in game four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 22, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

3. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

This is where things get juicy. The top three small forwards in the league are franchise changers, world champions, and two-way monsters. Kawhi is the best perimeter defender in the league (don’t @ me). He came into the league playing suffocating defense on the worlds best offensive players. What has made Kawhi jump to third on this list is his constant and steady increase of production offensively.

Part of this is due to his slowly but surely shift to a one man wrecking crew in San Antonio. Yes, the Spurs still have incredible ball movement and unselfish play, but Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan and even Lamarcus Aldridge are either gone, or not what they used to be.

Kawhi has emerged as their go to scorer, their main playmaker, and sometimes even their main ball handler in multiple sets. Kawhi averaged 25.5 points and 3.5 assists per game last season which were by far his career highs. Look for these numbers to only go up, the older and older the Spurs keep getting.

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