NBA Positional Rankings: Top 10 small forwards entering 2021-22

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Boston Celtics Gordon Hayward (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

9. Gordon Hayward, Charlotte Hornets

Stats: 19.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.1 APG

It wasn’t too long ago in which Gordon Hayward probably would’ve been top 5 or 6 at this position, but after a couple of seasons of injuries, he now finds himself on the backend of this top 10 list. Hayward is still extremely productive and is coming off a good season with Charlotte.

In the right role, there’s no question that Hayward can still be an extremely valuable player in the league. For the Hornets, a team that needs some veteran guidance, Hayward is almost the perfect fit. Unless, of course, Charlotte wants to cash in on the asset this season.

Either way, even though he has struggled recently with injuries, Hayward is still a player that deserves some strong recognition for being one of the 10 best small forwards in the league at the moment.