In the latest edition of our NBA Power Rankings, we tier every projected starting small forward in the league heading into the 2023-24 season.
The start of NBA Training Camp is nearly here. Across the league, training camps open on October 3. The NBA’s pre-season slate will run from October 5-20 and then the regular season begins October 24. Basketball is in the air and it’s easy to get excited about what the next season could offer.
As we continue to rank every starting player in the NBA by position, we take a closer look at the small forwards in this article.
Ranking the 30 starting small forwards in the NBA
Tier 8: The unproven small forwards
In this first (or eighth) tier, we’re going to explore a few of the more unproven starting small forwards in the league heading into the start of the season.
30. John Konchar, Memphis Grizzlies
When it comes to the small forward position, the Memphis Grizzlies are not heading into the 2023-24 NBA season in an ideal position. For as much of a headache as he might’ve been for the Grizzlies, there’s no question that they’re going to miss Dillon Brooks this season. Probably more on the defensive end of the floor than offensively, but his depth will need to be filled by someone.
At least to start the season, John Konchar is the projected starting small forward for the Grizzlies. Konchar started 23 games for the Grizzlies last season but didn’t particularly flash. He averaged five points and four rebounds on 43 percent shooting from the field. At this point, you’d have to imagine that he’s more of a stopgap than a long-term starter for the team.
It also wouldn’t be surprising if the Grizzlies experimented with other potential starters at the small forward position throughout the season.
29. Corey Kispert, Washington Wizards
Entering his third season in the NBA, this is kind of a make-it-or-break-it year for Corey Kispert in Washington. He’s likely going to enter the season as the starter for a rebuilding Wizards team. If he can’t carve out a strong role for the Wizards this season, I’m not sure what that says about not only his future in Washington but in the NBA as a whole. Nevertheless, there’s reason to believe that Kispert is set up to have the best season of his career thus far.
During his sophomore season, Kispert averaged 11 points on 42 percent shooting from 3-point range. You’d imagine that he should easily be able to take a step forward from those numbers. Even if he is just a consistent 3-point threat for the team, he’ll be able to carve out a valuable role for the team.
The big question revolves around his ceiling. Even coming out of college, there was no expectation that Kispert was going to have a high ceiling. That’s perfectly fine, but it also helps explain why he’s ranked toward the bottom of this list. Kispert has the talent (and now the opportunity) to be a solid starting small forward for the Wizards.
28. Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves
Jaden McDaniels was one of the most underrated wings in the league last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. McDaniels quietly averaged 12 points and four rebounds on 40 percent shooting from 3-point range. However, it was easy for him to fall under the radar with all the talent the Wolves have on paper. Even though he had an impressive third season in the league, McDaniels has very much to prove.
McDaniels will officially be entering his second full season as a starter for the Wolves and this is the year that he can truly cement himself as a legit force in the lineup for the team. McDaniels is also expected to sign an extension with the team soon. If the Wolves and McDaniels can’t agree to a contract extension before the start of the season, he’ll be able to test restricted free agency next offseason.
With another expected jump in his progression heading into this season, it’ll be interesting to see how the Wolves handle his extension. McDaniels has the talent and potential to swiftly move up this list over the next calendar year.
Tier 7: The solid veterans
In this tier of starting small forwards, we’ll begin to explore some of the solid veterans that you kind of know what you’re getting from. They’re productive by falling short of what is needed to fall in a star tier – whether that be due to having already fallen out of their prime or because they have limited ceilings.
27. Max Strus, Cleveland Cavaliers
After signing a healthy-sized contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Max Strus will be entering the season with plenty of pressure on his shoulders. But with the last two seasons that he had with the Miami Heat, there’s reason to believe that he can be the player that the Cavs need him to be as they attempt to take another step forward in the Eastern Conference.
Here’s the thing with Strus; he has a limited ceiling. Even if Strus plays up to his ability, he’s going to go be this third or fourth star for the Cavs. And the good news is, they probably don’t need him to be to be successful. If Strus can be a good 3-point shooter, this is a signing that will end up being a home run of a move.
26. Tim Hardaway Jr., Dallas Mavericks
It’s almost hard to realize that by the time the NBA Playoffs roll around, Tim Hardaway Jr. is going to be 32 years old. For those who remember Tim Hardaway in the NBA, that’s a tough life pill to swallow. Nevertheless, when it comes to his on-the-floor value, THJ is a solid starting small forward at this point in his career. THJ has seen his production take a bit of a dip over the last two seasons in Dallas but he’s still coming off a season in which he averaged 14 points and four rebounds on 39 percent shooting from 3-point range.
That’s generally what you can expect from THJ. Not known as much of a defender, most of his value at this point in his career is going to come off playing off-ball next to both Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.
Listed as the starter for now, it’ll be interesting to see how Dallas elects to hand this over the course of the season. Not sure he’s the ideal starter next to Luka and Kyrie but Dallas may not have many other options at this point with where the roster stands heading into the start of training camp.
25. Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers
For much of his career in the NBA, Tobias Harris has consistently been one of the most underrated players in the league ever since his breakout season in 2012-13 with the Orlando Magic. However, heading into the 2023-24 NBA season, I’m not sure that’s the case anymore. Harris is kind of what he is at this point in his career – he’s a good starting wing who can excel as the third-best player on a playoff team. That’s what he has been with the Sixers over the last few seasons.
Harris likely isn’t going to have another breakout season and has begun to show signs of taking a step back, at least this past season he did. Still, especially compared to most other players in the league, Harris’ “step back” is still pretty good.
Harris is an effective slasher that offers the Sixers the versatility to play almost anywhere in the frontcourt. That may be his biggest asset for a team at this point in his career. Perhaps what Philly likes most about him is that they know exactly what they’re going to get from Harris night in and night out. He’s a consistent quality wing starter.
24. Dillon Brooks, Houston Rockets
With the way Dillon Brooks has been torn down this offseason, it’s fair to say that he’s evolved into one of the most underrated two-way wing players in the league heading into the 2023-24 NBA season. Signing with the Houston Rockets, Brooks will have the opportunity to quietly rebuild his reputation around the league outside of the limelight. Short of something unexpected happening, because the Rockets are rebuilding, Brooks is going to be out of the spotlight this season. And that may be something that ends up paying dividends for him.
If his performance in the FIBA World Cup for Team Canada was any indication, there’s a chance we could see the best version of Brooks that we’ve seen in a very long time. If Brooks can resurrect into a consistent 3-point shooter, he’s going to emerge as a valuable veteran for Houston.
For all the flack he gets for being an inconsistent offensive player, he’s somewhat of a throwback defender in a league that doesn’t praise players for their ability on that end of the floor. Brooks doesn’t have to be special offensively with the level of talent Houston has; he just can’t be a liability on that end of the floor.
Tier 6: The young star-potential wings
In this tier, we’re going to find some young talent that possesses clear star potential. These are the small forwards that while they have some ground to cover in their development, the early returns are quite promising.
23. Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have one of the most talented rosters in the NBA and Trey Murphy III emerged as potentially the next of their young players primed for a breakout season. However, a summer injury has put all that in jeopardy.
Murphy is likely going to miss the first few months of the season due to injuring his knee in an offseason workout. However, with the promise that he showed last season, it’s easy to see why New Orleans would be high on the young wing heading into this year. Because of the injury, though, you almost have to view this season as a red-shirt year.
The true test to see what Murphy is will likely come next season, a full year removed from this most recent knee injury. The early returns on Murphy are quite promising, however. There’s a good chance the Pelicans may have hit on another effective wing player.
22. Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
Heading into the 2023 NBA Draft, Ausar Thompson was graded as one of the best prospects. In fact, leading up to the draft, there were a few draft prognosticators who believed Ausar was actually a better prospect than his brother, Amen, who went two picks earlier. All in all, it’s safe to say that the Detroit Pistons are getting a player with a very high ceiling. But that could make his rookie season difficult to digest.
For as high of a ceiling as Thompson has, there’s a chance that he will take some time to truly find his footing in the NBA. He didn’t play college ball and, instead, is making the jump to the NBA after spending time with Overtime Elite. The good news is that the Pistons may be a great spot for him to slowly come along. Detroit isn’t under any pressure to win and Thompson will be able to develop around other extremely talented young players.
If Thompson can prove that he can be a consistent 3-point shooter right away, he’ll have the chance to develop into one of the more complete players from this year’s draft class. He can defend, is a good playmaker, and has the size that you want from a future star.
21. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
It’s unfortunate that Brandon Miller is going to always be linked to Scoot Henderson for the remainder of his career. For a player as talented as Miller is, he doesn’t deserve that. Nevertheless, that’s only natural considering he was a player that the Charlotte Hornets probably reached for. In his own right, though, Miller is extremely talented and has the tools that could help him develop into a superstar talent in the NBA one day.
Miller is 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan. He’s already an effective 3-level scorer in the NBA and has the ability to be a standout and versatile defender. In the right system, there’s no reason why Miller can’t develop into an All-Star talent. The big question is whether Charlotte will end up being the right place for him in the long run.
Hopefully so. The Hornets need to be injected with some excitement and there’s reason to believe that if Miller has a good rookie season, he can bring about a revival for the franchise. My biggest concern for Miller isn’t about his raw talent. It’s about whether or not he’ll be able to thrive in Charlotte.
20. Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers
As one of the youngest players in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers took a huge gamble when they selected Shaedon Sharpe with their top 10 pick. In fact, looking back, it could be considered at least part of the reason why Damian Lillard wants to be traded. But I suppose that’s a different conversation or another day. After an up-and-down rookie season, there’s reason to believe that Sharpe could be ready for a breakout sophomore campaign in Portland. Especially with Lillard out the door.
During his rookie season, Sharpe averaged 10 points on 47 percent shooting from the field. He’s extremely athletic and has shown the potential to be a consistent 3-point threat as well. As he continues to develop into a three-level scorer on the offensive end, with the ability to be at least a good defender on the other end of the floor, it’s easy to see why Portland is so high on their guards.
If Sharpe doesn’t make the jump to fringe stardom in the next couple of seasons, something when wrong. That’s the amount of talent and high ceiling that Sharpe possesses as a prospect. It’s on Portland to try to get the best out of the 20-year-old.
19. Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs
After winning the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery and the No. 1 overall pick, the San Antonio Spurs are back in the limelight. While it may take some time for the Spurs to fully bounce back up the Western Conference standings, there’s a reason to be excited about this franchise heading into the start of the season. While Victor Wembanyama is one part of it, another is their already talented young core of players in place.
Keldon Johnson is among that group for the Spurs. Johnson is coming off a season in which he averaged 22 points, five rebounds, and three assists on 45 percent shooting from the field. Johnson appears to be a foundational piece for San Antonio moving forward and is locked in with the Spurs for the foreseeable future.
The Spurs are going to have to make a decision on Johnson pretty soon here, and it’s almost impossible to predict what this franchise will end up doing (especially after they out of the dark traded Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks last offseason). The true test for Johnson will likely revolve around how good he looks playing next to Victor Wembanyama.
Tier 5: Fringe stars
As we enter a new tier of small forwards, we’ll now focus on the fringe stars of the position. These are the players who are trending upward but still haven’t been able to reach star status in the league. This doesn’t mean that these players won’t be able to reach star status in the league, just that they still have some room to develop in order to do so.
18. Lu Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder
Lu Dort may not be a player that is at the forefront of many casual NBA fans but he’s been a difference-maker since he emerged as a consistent contributor for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The big concern for Dort is that he’s never been the most efficient of offensive players and that has ultimately limited his ceiling as a player. At this point, it wouldn’t be surprising if he was viewed as a possible stopgap if he can’t bounce back from this past season. But at just 24 years old, the hope is that Dort will be able to.
The Thunder don’t need him to be amazing, they just need him to find the right balance between aggressiveness and efficiency. There’s still a good chance that he’ll be able to do that.
17. Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers
Buddy Hield may have found his way to the trade block but at least for the time being, he’s still projected to be the starting small forward for the Indiana Pacers. Even though Hield has probably played his best basketball in the NBA, he’s still a very good player at this point in his career. Hield is coming off an impressive season in which he averaged 17 points, five rebounds, and three assists per game on 46 percent shooting from the field and 43 percent shooting from 3-point range.
It’s not an overstatement to say that he may be one of the three best 3-point shooters in the league heading into the new season. That’s an extremely valuable weapon for any team to have on their team, which is why he should emerge as an attractive trade option for many teams.
Hield may be beyond the point where he can develop into an established star player, as a soon-to-be 31-year-old, but that doesn’t mean he still isn’t a player with star talent.
16. De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks
As the Atlanta Hawks continue to retool their roster, De’Andre Hunter appears to be a player who is going to be a key cog for the future. Hunter is likely going to play a bigger role for the team this season, especially with the departure of John Collins. At just 25 years old, there’s hope that he could continue to be a fringe star next to Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. Hunter averaged 15 points and four rebounds per game on 46 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent shooting from 3-point range.
He may not have the ceiling that some other young players on this list have but there is still clear value in him as a player. Where it truly gets a bit blurry is when it comes to his contract. Hunter is due to make $20-plus million per year in each of the next four seasons. In order for his contract to hold value, the Hawks need Hunter to take another step in his progression. That’s kind of what they bet on when they signed him to this extension.
The good news is that there’s a good chance that Hunter is able to do that.
15. Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings
You can make the argument that Harrison Barnes was one of the unsung heroes in Sacramento last season. The Kings made their illustrious return to the postseason and I’m not sure they do it without the contributions of Barnes on both ends of the floor – that’s probably the biggest reason why the Kings ended up signing him to a contract extension this offseason. Even though Barnes is 31 years old, he still has very much left in the tank as a difference-maker.
Coming off a season in which he averaged 15 points on 37 percent shooting from 3-point range while also playing an important role for the team as a versatile defender, it’s easy to see why Barnes was almost the ideal veteran leader that a young and talented Kings team needed.
At this point in his career, I don’t think there are many people expecting Barnes to make the jump into superstardom but he’s without a doubt a fringe star talent at the small forward position in this league. \
Tier 4: The young budding stars
In tier 4, we’ll get to the small forwards that should be considered young budding stars in the NBA. These are the players who have shown the ability and have the potential to be star players in the league one day. Whether or not they eventually get there is an entirely different conversation, but these players have all the talent in the world to become household names in the Association.
14. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Scottie Barnes has somewhat surprisingly become one of the more polarizing players in the NBA. After winning the NBA’s Rookie of the Year away two years ago, the expectation was that Barnes was going to have a huge sophomore season. That didn’t exactly happen this past season. Barnes showed flashes of the palyer that he could be but was unable to consistently put it together.
As you would expect, some of the hype and excitement surrounding Barnes has died a little. However, I don’t think that’s entirely fair. The talent is still there and Barnes is expected to have a bigger role with the team this season.
13. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Over the last couple of seasons, Franz Wagner has quietly been a bit part of the Orlando Magic’s emergence as a young team in the Eastern Conference. Two seasons ago, he was somewhat of a surprising rookie talent. Even though he was taken in the top 10 in the 2021 NBA Draft, I’m not sure there were many people who believed he would be this good this fast. During his second season in the league, he averaged 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists on 49 percent shooting from the field.
Even though Paolo Banchero stole many of the headlines for the Magic this past season, and rightfully so, Wagner is a player who shouldn’t be overlooked as a key cog for Orlando heading into the future. And Wagner is easily one of the better young small forwards in the league today.
The big question is how good can he be? Can he be a star? Could Wagner make the jump to superstardom in a couple of seasons?
12. Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets
When it comes to offensive talent, there aren’t many young players better than Michael Porter Jr. And that was kind of his story when he entered the league. There were questions about his ability to remain healthy and his defensive abilities. But on the offensive end of the floor, MPJ was going to be able to match up and keep pace with almost any other players in the NBA. And that’s what we’ve seen from the first few years of MPJ’s career with the Denver Nuggets.
After a slow first couple of years in the league, MPJ has really come on as a strong offensive force. This past season, as he helped the Nuggets win their first NBA Championship in history, he averaged 17 points and six rebounds on 41 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Because of his defensive inconsistencies, he’s probably never going to be a legit superstar in the NBA. However, it’s become pretty clear that he’s emerged as a key part of the Nuggets’ future. And if they’re going to compete for more championships in the future, MPJ will be a big part of that.
11. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
Coming out of college a few years ago, Lauri Markkanen was an interesting talent. At 7-foot tall, he could stretch the floor and was considered an elite offensive talent. However, through the first few years of his career, he was somewhat underwhelming as a prospect. With the Utah Jazz this past season that all changed.
Markkanen was named to his first NBA All-Star team this past season and took home Most Improved Player of the Year honors. As somewhat of a late bloomer, it’s clear that at 26 years old Markkanen is a budding star in the NBA. If he wasn’t playing for Utah, he’d probably be a bigger name around the league.
But, for one reason or another, it took the Jazz to help Markkanen put it all together. The Jazz was the exact situation that Markkanen needed to turn things around in his career. The big question is, where would Markkanen be right now in his career if he was never traded to the Jazz?
10. Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
It took a few years for Cameron Johnson to find his footing in the NBA. However, over the last two seasons, he’s emerged as a truly difference-making player for first the Phoenix Suns and then most recently, the Brooklyn Nets. After being part of the package that netted Phoenix Kevin Durant, Johnson is now viewed as a key part of the Nets’ future.
I’m not sure what Johnson’s ceiling is in the NBA but there’s a chance he could make the jump to stardom as he continues to take a bigger role with the Nets. Heading into this season, he’s going to be somewhat of a second option on the offensive floor next to Mikal Bridges. There’s a real chance he ends up averaging close to 20 points per game this season.
As one of the better 3-point shooters in the league, his ability from deep will open up almost everything else for him on the offensive end of the floor. In Phoenix, Johnson was viewed as a really good supporting cast player. With the Nets, he could make the jump to stardom.
Tier 3: The clear-cut stars
In this tier of NBA small forwards, we’ll jump into the shortlist of clear-cut stars. These are the players who have established themselves as household names but also players who are a cut below the superstar tier at the position. For the majority of these players, there’s no questioning their game anymore. They’ve arrived.
9. RJ Barrett, New York Knicks
As a new entrant into this tier, RJ Barrett has arrived as a star for the New York Knicks. While he still may be considered somewhat of a polarizing figure among Knicks fans, it’s hard to deny his talent and the overall impact that he has for New York. The Knicks don’t get to the second round of the playoffs without him last season and don’t have as bright of a future without his presence on the roster.
Barrett is coming off back-to-back seasons in which he’s averaged at least 20 points, five rebounds, and three assists per game on pretty good overall shooting numbers. He’s struggled a bit with his 3-point shot but if he can stabilize that this season, there’s no question he could end up having another career year for the Knicks.
8. DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls
Even on what will ultimately be remembered as the backend of a possible hall-of-fame career, DeMar DeRozan is still a really good player. That may have been forgotten since he hasn’t been featured on the big stage in quite a while. DeRozan has been in the playoffs much since his time with the Toronto Raptors but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been an effective player during his stints with the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls.
This past season in Chicago, DeRozan averaged 25 points, five assists, and five rebounds on 50 percent shooting from the field. He’s 34 years old and may only have a couple of truly impactful years remaining. At least for now, he should still be considered a star player in the league.
Entering the season as an expiring contract, it’ll be interesting to see how the Bulls handle this impending decision. With Chicago potentially pivoting away from Zach LaVine, you can’t help but wonder what that could ultimately mean for DeRozan’s future with the team. With not many prime years left, it would be unfortunate if DeRozan was wasted away playing for a team that doesn’t have a great shot of even making the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
7. Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
A bit younger than DeMar DeRozan, Khris Middleton is a star player who doesn’t get his full praise due to the fact that he plays next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, Middleton has consistently been a really good player for the better part of the last six seasons in Milwaukee. He’s been an important part of the Bucks’ success over the last few years and played a huge role in the team’s championship run a few years ago.
Middleton is an underrated two-way player in the league. He’s one of the better mid-range players on the wing and has consistently been a deadly 3-point shooter throughout the course of his career. He may not be a player that can be a No. 1 for a really good team, but he’s emerged as one of the better-supporting stars the NBA has to offer.
I’m not sure the Bucks or Giannis would have the success they’ve had over the last few years without Middleton. He’s one of the most underrated stars in the NBA.
6. Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors
Andrew Wiggins had such an inconsistent start to his NBA career that it’s easy to forget just how good he is. When the Golden State Warriors won the championship a couple of seasons ago, you could make the argument that he was the second-best player on the team behind Stephen Curry. The fact that he’s evolved into such an important player for the Warriors is a testament to his talent and the fact that he was in such a bad place to start his career.
Even while missing more than half the year last season, Wiggins still averaged 17 points and five rebounds per game on 47 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent shooting from 3-point range. And that was considered a season in which he never found his footing in.
We must also remember that Wiggins is still just 28 years old. There’s a very real chance that he still has 4-5 years remaining of high-quality basketball left in him. He should be a key cog for the Warriors for years to come.
Tier 2: The veteran (aging) superstars
In this next tier, we’re going to explore the superstar small forwards that find themselves toward the end of their respective careers. They’re still really good players but are likely beyond their prime years and the best basketball of their careers is likely behind them. Still, because of how talented they were at their peak, they deserve a seat in the top 5. For many of these players, their 80 percent is still better than most other’s 100 percent.
5. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
Somewhat a late bloomer, Jimmy Butler is still playing elite basketball, especially in the postseason. However, as we’ve seen over the past two seasons, he does have some difficulty in consistently playing at an elite level for a prolonged period of time. You can blame injuries if you want, but that’s kind of the point as well.
Jimmy is still an incredibly great player but he can’t be any higher on this list because he isn’t consistently one of the four best small forwards in the NBA. That said, if this was strictly a playoff ranking of small forwards, he’d probably be a few notches higher.
It is amazing how Jimmy almost single-handedly resurrected the Heat franchise post-LeBron James.
4. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
It may come across as a bit shocking to see LeBron James not being in tier 1 but that’s just how the aging process works. For as much as LeBron has defied logic for the majority of his career, he’s going to turn 39 years old later this year and the drop in production and efficiency is going to come. But perhaps the first sign of his aging is coming through injuries. For a player who hadn’t been affected all that much by injury, LeBron has had the injury bug bite him a few times over the last few seasons.
He’s played in less than 60 games in each of the last three regular seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and has pretty much hobbled to the finish line each year. Even after a deep run in this year’s postseason, by the end, you can tell that LeBron was laboring through an injury.
Nevertheless, when he is healthy, he’s still one of the best players in the league. In fact, you can probably make the argument that even when he is hurt, he’s still better than most other players in the league.
Father Time will eventually catch up with LeBron. Will it be this season?
3. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
When Kawhi Leonard is healthy, there’s an argument to be made that he’s one of the best players in the NBA. There aren’t many players still in the league that can impact the game as much as he can on both ends of the floor. He’s still one of the best wing defenders in the league and an extremely underrated offensive player. It’s the injuries that he’s had to overcome in recent years that have hurt his overall stock around the league.
In a “down” year, Kawhi still managed to average 24 points, seven rebounds, and four assists on 51 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent shooting from 3-point range. But again, he’s been limited to injuries and hasn’t played more than 60 games in the regular season since he was a member of the Toronto Raptors.
The hope is that Kawhi can go through the 2023-24 NBA season healthy. If that does happen, the LA Clippers will have as good of a shot as any other team in the Western Conference to win a championship. However, based on Kawhi’s recent history, there’s no guarantee of that happening.
Tier 1: The elite group
This is the best of the best. This is the top tier of the small forwards and it should come as no surprise to be this small. The two players in this tier are clearly the two best small forwards the NBA has to offer and are both in the conversation for the best player in the league. There aren’t many holes in each of these two players’ gams either.
2. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
When he’s playing at his best, there’s an argument to be made that Jayson Tatum is the best player in the NBA. That’s how good of an offensive player that he is. And at just 25 years old, there’s no reason to believe that he won’t be considered the best player in the NBA at some point in the next few years. Tatum is a generational scorer who is doing things we haven’t seen many other players do ever.
Coming off another career year, Tatum averaged 30 points, nine rebounds, and five assists on 47 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent shooting from 3-point range. An NBA MVP award is almost assuredly in his future as is an NBA Title. You can discuss the best wings in the NBA if you don’t have Tatum near the top of the list.
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.