Sixers: Ranking Danny Green and every starting small forward in the NBA
. SF. Detroit Pistons. Saddiq Bey. 27. player. 64
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 27. Saddiq Bey, Pistons
He’s playing a bigger role than he probably should at this stage in his career, but the rebuilding Pistons have given Saddiq Bey ample opportunity to prove his mettle and test the expanses of his skill set. So far this season, Bey is averaging 14.9 points and 6.0 rebounds on .377/.328/.831 splits.
The obvious red flag there is efficiency, but more broadly over the course of his career (professional and amateur) Bey has been an elite shooter. The percentages will creep back up, but he has a long way to go as a self-creator and mid-range scorer. His best attributes are still the 3-and-D traits that got him drafted.
149. . SF. Oklahoma City Thunder. Luguentz Dort. 26. player
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 26. Luguentz Dort, Thunder
Luguentz Dort is another player who gets plenty of offensive reps due to his status on a rebuilding team. The Thunder don’t have a ton of firepower right now outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, so a lot falls on Dort’s shoulders. He’s an aggressive slasher with the frame to absorb contact and finish at the rim. He’s also plenty confident from 3-point range, even if the efficiency isn’t always there yet.
With averages of 16.6 points and 4.1 rebounds on .403/.321/.847 splits, the surface-level production is there for Dort, who went undrafted just a couple years ago. He’s also an elite on-ball defender with an impressive resumé locking up the James Hardens and Trae Youngs of the world.
player. 156. . SF. Cleveland Cavaliers. Lauri Markkanen. 25
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 25. Lauri Markkanen, Cavaliers
The Cavaliers have found success running three 7-footers this season, with Lauri Markkanen adjusting admirably to his new surroundings. The numbers don’t jump off the page — 13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, .426/.325/.866 splits — but Markkanen is a uniquely successful floor spacer for a player his size, and he is a functional leg of one of the NBA’s top defenses.
Markkanen’s skill set has always resembled a wing more than a big, so in a way, Cleveland was the perfect fit all along. He helps them smother the perimeter with length, and he’s a generally reliable spot-up guy who can do the other things well enough offensively.