The Top 10 Small Forwards in the NBA

Honorable Mentions

Ben Simmons/Brandon Ingram (Philadelphia 76ers/L.A. Lakers)

Going first and second in the draft, these two are going to be players to watch this year. Ben Simmons’ position is not yet clear but he will either play at the three or the four and his passing skills, along with the Sixers’ depth in bigs, likely pushes Simmons to the SF. For Ingram, he shoulders the burden of replacing Kobe Bryant and that cannot be an easy task. Some way into the season, these two might earn higher berths but, with no NBA experience or evidence, I cannot warrant putting them in the top-10.

Tobias Harris (Detroit Pistons)

Tobias Harris is a big, strong man and he has a really solid game. However, we still don’t know what is Harris’ best position and that leaves him with what feels like an unrefined game. He has the strength to dominate small forwards and battle with the power forwards and he has the offensive arsenal to play both, especially if he can limit how often he turns to the mid-range jumpshot. It seems as though Harris is made for small-ball PF duty but until his position is decided this is as high as he goes.

Chandler Parsons (Memphis Grizzlies)

If he can stay healthy, Chandler Parsons is a legitimate threat to be in the top-8 in his position. However, frequent knocks have ruined his rhythm and he struggled somewhat in his last year in Texas. Hopefully, a fresh start in Memphis and some better luck with injuries will see Parsons return to what he could be.

Rudy Gay (Sacramento Kings)

Really strong scorer; that is Rudy Gay. He might struggle a bit on defense and struggle a lot to stay consistent or find his rhythm, but Gay’s offense keeps him in consideration for the best of his position. Also, he’s been playing for the Kings for a while, so that can’t be easy.

Harrison Barnes (Dallas Mavericks)

A victim of success. Harrison Barnes was the fourth option in Golden State and that did not do him many favors. In fact, according to Grantland, Barnes was used in only 15 percent of the Warriors’ possessions; numbers which are more in line with a “limited role-player.” Barnes knows it and he is ready to take advantage of a new scenario in Dallas, where he will become a key weapon. He can shoot the three, cut to the rim on sleeping defenses and defend both the three and four. Barnes will be higher than this soon.

“It just may not be in the cards for me to create more here,” Barnes said to Grantland, “but I can do it, and maybe this season there will be more opportunities.”

Kent Bazemore (Atlanta Hawks)

If you’re looking on this site, you have probably heard enough about how good a player Kent Bazemore is. He is filled with infectious energy and enthusiasm and has solid game that continues to develop. Bazemore defends hard, scores well from the three and uses his athleticism and work ethic to defy what has been expected from him. I would love to put him higher and hopefully, with another season of development, I could put Bazemore in the top-10.

Nicolas Batum/Andrew Wiggins (Charlotte Hornets/Minnesota Timberwolves)

These two were included in the top shooting guards.

Next: No. 10

1. Andre Iguodala (Golden State Warriors)

Age: 32

2015-16 Per Game Averages: 7 points, 4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.1 steals

Career Per Game Averages: 13.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.6 steals

This is the very highest I can put a non-starter but Andre Iguodala earns his place in the top-10 through his shut-down defense and offensive versatility. How can a player who has been so key in the last two NBA Finals not be here? The 2015 Playoff MVP has to be here, despite the role he has been reduced to.

"“He’s always kind of our unsung hero,” Warriors Coach Steve Kerr said of Iguodala, via NBA.com. “He never has the numbers that jump out at you in the box score, so people don’t write about him or show him much on the highlights. But he’s a phenomenal defensive player and he’s an incredibly intelligent player.”"

His defense alone gets him some consideration here but his offensive game has become underrated recently. He shot threes at a .351 percentage last year, the fourth best of his career, and his two-point jump-shot percentage was at a career-high .570.

All in all, that gave Iguodala a career-best .552 effective field goal percentage and, despite his limited role, Iggy is a really good passer and playmaker for his position.

Iguodala’s per-game statistics might not look great but they do not do his game justice, especially considering how well he has assimilated into the role his team needs from him. Andre Iguodala is a legit top-10 small forward.

Next: No. 9