NBA Power Rankings: Tiering all 30 projected starting small forwards for 2023-24

Phoenix Suns Kevin Durant (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)
Phoenix Suns Kevin Durant (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)
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Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns Kevin Durant (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

1. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns

Kevin Durant, at least for now, is still the best small forward in the NBA. KD is the original unicorn and doesn’t get enough credit for completely changing the game for near-7-footers everywhere. KD may not want to be listed as a 7-footer but there are not even any 6-foot-10 or 6-foot-11 players that have had the ability to do what he does every night. He’s arguably the best three-level scorer in the NBA and one of the best clutch players.

You can not like how KD handles his business or the way he invests too much in the social media world, but when it comes to his pure basketball talent, there are no others like him. He’s such a generational talent that even after suffering a torn Achilles injury, it seems like he hasn’t missed a beat.

Now that he’s with the Phoenix Suns, it would be shocking if he didn’t in himself back in the NBA Championship picture.

Whether you like him or not, there’s no denying that KD effectively changed the game. And when he calls it a career, we may never see another player with his size and skill set again.