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The Top 10 Small Forwards in the NBA

By Tom Atkinson

May 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket as Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) defends during the second half in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket as Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) defends during the second half in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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  1. Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz)

Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard D.J. Augustin (12) defends against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard D.J. Augustin (12) defends against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Age: 26

2015-16 Per Game Averages: 19.7 points, 5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.2 steals

Career Per Game Averages: 14.6 points, 4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1 steal

Utah’s Gordon Hayward is one of the NBA’s best shot creators and he doesn’t need to be overly athletic to get his chances. For two consecutive seasons, Hayward has put up almost 20 points per game and that is always a great number for a non-superstar scorer. And it’s not like he’s been inefficient, with a true shooting percentage of .559 last year.

On a Jazz team that has often struggled to find playmaking from the point, Hayward has also become something of a ball-handler and point-forward, albeit out of necessity. Despite his nature, Hayward has put up four assists per 36 minutes and, with hands like his, that could get better.

On defense, Hayward is no Kawhi Leonard but he serves his role well on Quinn Snyder’s team. Matching up against some of the most unguardable players in the league, like LeBron James or Kevin Durant, the 6’8” small forward is quite effective in pressing and not giving the players a great deal of space.

Of course, it helps that he can rely on Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors to dominate the interior, but Utah are among the best defensive teams in the league and Hayward is a part of it.

Gordon Hayward might only be above Giannis because of the uncertainty about position, but Hayward is a dynamite scorer and could easily average 20-5-5 on a Jazz team that many expect to explode this year.

Next: No. 5

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