Philadelphia 76ers: Where Robert Covington ranks among all starting small forwards

3. Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder

George shocked more than a few people this summer, opting to re-sign with OKC on a three-year max contract. He didn’t even give his hometown Lakers, who eventually signed LeBron, a meeting. That was unexpected.

Now he’ll be paired with Russell Westbrook for the foreseeable future, providing elite defense on the wing and elite complementary scoring on the other end. His ability to operate off the ball makes him an ideal fit next to Russ, and another year of chemistry should help things mesh.

2. Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors

Leonard, when healthy, can challenge Durant for the top spot on this list. He’s a massive upgrade for Toronto, offering more spacing, better efficiency and better defense than DeRozan ever did. It might end up being a one-year rental, but that’s a risk worth taking for the Raptors.

In some circles, Toronto is expected to make the Finals. They were the No. 1 seed last year, LeBron has moved west, and Leonard improves their fortunes on both ends. The Sixers will have another formidable foe at the top of the conference.

1. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors

Given the uncertainty surrounding Leonard’s situation, it’s impossible to not put Durant first on this list. He’s arguably the best pure scorer in this generation, possessing a unique blend of size and skill that few players in the league can counter.

Basically a true 7-footer, Durant is a dynamic pull-up threat out to 25 feet. He has smooth handles and an impossibly high release, rendering most defenders useless when contesting his jumpers. He has also grown as a playmaker since joining the Warriors’ pass-happy system.

In addition to his offense, Durant is a versatile athlete whose weak-side rim protection has become an important part of the Warriors’ defense. Lock him into this spot.