LeBron James is reigned supreme at the top of my top 30 small forwards list for the last decade. Whether you consider him a guard or a forward, there is no denying that the king is the best at any position he plays. Despite some players previously on this list moving to the guard and power forward positions, there is still a lot of depth at the top 30 small forwards for the 2020-2021 NBA season.
Here are the top 30 small forwards in the NBA heading into this season.
30. De’Andre Hunter- Atlanta Hawks
Although fans of struggling franchises should be optimistic when they have an abundance of young talent, they should also be cautious when they continue to lose.
Hunter has shown flashes of a player that could last in this league for a while.
29. Landry Shamet- Brooklyn Nets
Shamet should compliment the Nets roster well this season. The Nets needed another player to add depth to a team that is expected to rest two of several games this season. Shamet’s willingness to defend is a welcomed addition to the Nets’ roster.
28. Marcus Morris Sr. – Los Angeles Clippers
As Celtics fans already know, I am not a fan. However, his ability to play multiple positions, combined with his toughness, makes him a valuable addition to any franchise.
27. Otto Porter Jr.- Chicago Bulls
Were you also shocked to hear that he is still in the NBA?
26. Jae Crowder- Phoenix Suns
Crowder brings a similar skillset to Morris Sr. He can play both forward positions, shoot the ball, and defend at a high level. Just don’t cheer for Gordon Hayward in front of him.
25. Joe Ingles- Utah Jazz
Joe Ingles.
24. OG Annunoby- Toronto Raptors
Annunoby did not take the next step that Raptors fans were hoping he would take after Kawhi Leonard’s departure. However, he remains a tenacious young small forward that is continuing to improve.
He may not be an all-star caliber scorer, but he is a necessary piece to the Raptors puzzle.
23. Terrence Ross- Orlando Magic
If it weren’t for his occasional dunk highlights, would you know he’s still in the NBA? Ross is a scoring forward that has been lost in the forgotten pit of the Orlando Magic.
He joins the several forwards I mentioned on my top 30 power forwards list that I’d like to see traded.
22. Luguentz Dort- Oklahoma City Thunder
Lu Dort is one player I’m surprised more teams did not inquire about this off season. Dort put basketball fans on notice during the 2020 playoffs, when he managed to somewhat slow down James Harden.
Dort is a top tier perimeter defender and a developing three point shooter. As a Celtics fan, I would love the idea of trading for him.
21. Will “The Thrill” Barton- Denver Nuggets
Barton’s absence was heavily felt during the Lakers series in the playoffs. Will’s ability to score the basketball makes him a much needed addition for any franchise in the NBA.
If the Nuggets are going to go deep in the playoffs again, they’re going to need everyone healthy, including Barton.
On to the top 20 small forwards in the NBA this season.
20. Luke Kennard- Los Angeles Clippers
If there is one addition that Lakers fans are underestimating, it’s this one. Kennard is a very capable shooter who is going to make the lives of everyone on the Clippers a lot easier.
You can never have enough shooters, and Kennard is one of the better ones.
19. Harrison Barnes- Sacramento Kings
He can score. He can defend. Unfortunately for Barnes, he is also on the Kings.
18. T.J. Warren- Indiana Pacers
If the NBA was still in the bubble, would it be unfair to rank him no.1 on this list?
17. Carmelo Anthony- Portland Trail Blazers
Going through and ranking the top 30 small forwards in the NBA was a real eye opener to me. I still don’t understand why GMs were so hesitant to sign Anthony. I also do not understand why the media painted his return as a retirement tour.
Carmelo Anthony is still better than most small forwards in the NBA. In a limited role, he continues to be a clutch shooter for the Portland Trail Blazers.
I think Portland is a great fit for Melo. I am excited to watch him this season.
16. Malik Beasley- Minnesota Timberwolves
If we were ranking him based on I.Q., he would be the last in the league. How you gonna cheat on Montana Yao with Larsa Pippen man?
15. Joe Harris- Brooklyn Nets
Although he was not one of the players Kyrie Irving mentioned last season as an important piece of the puzzle, the Nets’ confidence in him was on display this off season when they offered him a lucrative contract.
Because the Nets deploy a combo guard system, essentially two ball handlers at any given time, the catch & shooting Joe Harris finds himself often playing the small forward position.
Harris is one of the best shooters in the NBA. He is a welcomed addition to any of the thirty teams in the association.
14. Kyle Kuzma- Los Angeles Lakers
Kyle Kuzma, yes Kyle Kuzma, has become one of the most underrated players in the NBA. Do not mistake toxic Lakers fans bullying Kuzma for him not being extremely talented.
It is not easy to survive playing along side LeBron James, never mind being a third option on a championship team. Nonetheless, Kuzma remains one of the few players on the Lakers who is capable of creating his own shot.
Should any of the Lakers stars require load management days off, Kuzma is fully capable of scoring thirty points on any team in the NBA.
Although his production has dipped last season, I believe Kuzma remains one of the top 15 small forwards in the NBA this season.
13. Davis Bertans- Washington Wizards
Bertans is another highly underrated forward in the NBA. His ability to shoot the basketball makes him a great fit on any roster.
Similar to Hachimura on my top 30 power forwards list, I believe Bertans will only benefit playing alongside Russell Westbrook. NBA fans will soon find out just how much young talent is on that Wizards team.
12. Andrew Wiggins- Golden State Warriors
Although he is not the second coming of Kobe Bryant that Minnesota Timberwolves hoped he would be, he is still a very gifted scorer. Most NBA analysts criticize his motor and effort as the reasons why Wiggins never reached his star potential.
Surrounded by Draymond Green and Steph Curry, Wiggins won’t have any option other than to give max effort.
If there was ever a season for Wiggins to earn NBA fans’ respect, it would have to be this season.
11. Danilo Gallinari- Atlanta Hawks
Gallinari’s height and skillset make him a valuable addition to the Atlanta Hawks. Not only can he score at will as a small forward, he can rotate over to the power forward position if need be.
Gallinari’s close to 20 point average makes him a much needed addition for the Hawks, who are in pursuit of the playoffs for the first time in years.
Here are the top 10 small forwards this season.
10. DeMar DeRozan- San Antonio Spurs
DeRozan is one of the many gifted small forwards who is also capable of playing the shooting guard position. He is one of the best finishers and mid range shooters in the NBA.
If DeRozan was a solid three point shooter, he might be regarded as one of the best players in the NBA.
If DeRozan is going to move up this list, he is going to need to shoot the three ball a lot more, and efficiently.
9. Michael Porter Jr.- Denver Nuggets
Porter Jr. is one of the most gifted young forwards we have in the NBA. Whether he plays the small or power forward position, Porter Jr. is an offensive threat against any lineup in the NBA.
Now that he is healthy and given the minutes necessary to be productive, Porter Jr. has shown us flashes of just how special of a player he really could be.
As long as health is on his side, there is no reason why Porter Jr. can’t climb up the top 30 small forwards list.
8. Bojan Bogdanović- Utah Jazz
Bogdanović’s absence was missed during last seasons’ playoff run for the Utah Jazz. The Jazz were a team that struggled throughout the year to gel their new roster together.
At their best, the Jazz looked like they could make an argument for the best team in the NBA. Bogdanović’s scoring ability will be a necessary piece to the Jazz puzzle, if they are to go deep in the western conference playoffs.
7. Brandon Ingram- New Orleans Pelicans
After being traded to the Pelicans, Ingram was finally able to flourish and have his break out season. When put in a position to handle the basketball, there is no denying Ingram’s offensive talent.
Ingram is one of the players I have the most difficult time evaluating. I’ll be paying attention this season to what he adds to his offensive arsenal. In addition to that, he and the Pelicans are going to need to improve on the defensive end if they are going to go far in the playoffs.
Ingram has the potential to climb, and vastly fall, on the top 30 small forward rankings.
6. Khris Middleton- Milwaukee Bucks
If we were ranking Middleton’s performances solely by how he plays vs the Boston Celtics, he would be ranked as the greatest player of all time.
I’ve watched Middleton torch my Celtics time and time again. He is a two way player with an incredible mid range game. His length makes him a versatile player that can play multiple positions.
The addition of Jrue Holiday should only make his life easier as the Bucks pursue an NBA finals run.
5. Gordon Hayward- Charlotte Hornets
Hayward has not been able to catch a break ever since he landed in Boston. It felt like every time he had an opportunity to remind us how special of a player he was, an injury would soon follow.
When healthy, Hayward truly is a special player, capable of shooting, finishing, and passing the basketball. He is a versatile player that can play four positions in the NBA at any given time.
Hopefully for him, and the Hornets, his tenure in Charlotte will be met with better luck than that of which he experienced in Boston.
4. Jayson Tatum- Boston Celtics
Deuce’s dad has continued to improve every year ever since being drafted by the Boston Celtics. He is committed on the defensive end just enough to be considered a decent defender. However, where he really shines is on the offensive end.
Whether you need Tatum to cut to the basket, put on a dunk show, shoot off the dribble, catch and shoot, or anything else, Tatum can do it. As he and Brown continue to develop, expect the Boston Celtics to be a threat in the eastern conference for years to come.
3. Jimmy Butler- Miami Heat
Where do I even begin? Jimmy Butler is not only a phenomenal all-star, he is everything I want in a franchise player. He makes his teammates better off and on the court. Butler’s humility enables him to get the most of young stars like Herro and Robinson.
He is also intelligent enough to know when to take over the game. I watched him single handedly bully teams at times late in the fourth quarter of playoff games.
He may not be the perfect fit for every team, but he is the perfect fit for the Miami Heat. The Miami Heat enabling Butler was not only the right decision, but also helped Butler ranked the highest he ever has on my top 30 small forwards list.
2. Kawhi Leonard- Los Angeles Clippers
Leonard is the closest thing we have seen to the late great Kobe Bean Bryant. If you were to copy paste Kobe’s offensive game, you would get Kawhi Leonard.
As if having Kobe’s offensive arsenal wasn’t dangerous enough, Leonard is also one of the most effective perimeter defenders in NBA history.
Despite the Clippers struggles, there is no denying Leonard’s greatness. Replace Leonard with 99% of the league and the Clippers are not considered contenders. With him, they are one of the favorites.
1.LeBron James- Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James is the biggest reason why the Lakers remain at the top of my NBA power rankings list. The Space Jam actor remains at the top of my NBA player rankings as well.
LeBron James has continued to do so well, what he has done for over a decade. He is not only one of the most gifted and talented players in NBA history, he also is an extraordinary leader.
Keeping your teammates focused on a normal year is no easy task, neverminded in a bubble during a pandemic.
James’ superior skillset, ability to make his teammates better, and leadership, have kept him and the Los Angeles Lakers at the top of any legitimate rankings.
Honorable mentions.
I’d like to start by mentioning Kevin Durant. I ranked him on my top power forwards list because I predict that he will have to play the power forward position due to his injury. \
Once again, I hope that I am wrong and Kevin Durant remerges as one of the top players in the NBA, at the small forward position.
I’d also like to mention the incoming rookies, as well as veteran Andre Iguodala.
Last but not least, I must mention the great Cedi Osman.
Care to debate my top 30 small forwards rankings? Tweet me @TPRx11.