Philadelphia 76ers: Ranking starting small forwards in 2021 preseason

Philadelphia 76ers, Danny Green (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers, Danny Green (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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Mikal Bridges (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Mikal Bridges (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

20. Joe Harris

There’s no denying that Joe Harris is one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA. What stops Harris from being higher on this list is the fact is that he’s a defensive liability. It should be noted that despite Kevin Durant naturally being a small forward, the Brooklyn Nets use him as a power forward thus him not being on this list.

19. Norman Powell

The Portland Trail Blazers paid Norman Powell a big contract this offseason and he deserved it because of his two-way play. However, there’s just one problem, Powell is a more natural shooting guard and is undersized at 6-foot-3. Yet despite that, he can go off for 20 points any given night and is a three-level scorer.

18. OG Anunoby

It’s completely possible that OG Anunoby has a big season for the Toronto Raptors and deserves to be in the top-15 of this list. However, until that happens, the 18th spot is just fine for him. He’s developed into a good two-way player with an outside shot, but he’s not the type of guy to create his own offense at this point in his career.

17. Mikal Bridges

If only the Philadelphia 76ers didn’t trade Mikal Bridges for Zhaire Smith. Yet they did and the Phoenix Suns clearly won that trade. Bridges has developed into a very good 3-and-D player, he’s arguably a top-10 player who fills that role. He’s starting to round out his offensive game and this season he could take another to develop into a two-way wing.

16. Harrison Barnes

It’s fair to write that Harrison Barnes is the ultimate role player. He’s a two-way wing and it’s a shame he’s on the Sacramento Kings instead of on a contender. He’s a star in his role and he’s can be the fourth-best player on a title contender. If the Kings have another disappointing season, then Barnes’ name should in trade rumors.