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

Brooklyn Nets Kevin Durant (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
Brooklyn Nets Kevin Durant (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Jimmy Butler
Miami Heat Jimmy Butler (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

4. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat

Stats: 21.5 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 7.1 APG

He didn’t have the best showing in the playoffs this past season, nor did the Miami Heat, but there’s no question that Jimmy Butler deserves to be on this list and in the top 5. He’s just two seasons removed from carrying the Heat to the NBA Finals in the restart bubble in 2020.

Even though he left much to be desired against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs this season, I have a feeling that with a full offseason – for the first time in two years – that we’re going to see a Jimmy that is on a mission, playing with a chip on his shoulder.

The Heat is expected to bounce back this season and I believe that Jimmy will play a big hand in that. As one of the most hard-working players in the game, I would be surprised if we didn’t see a much different Jimmy this season in comparison to the one we saw last year.