Sixers: Ranking Danny Green and every starting small forward in the NBA
Harrison Barnes. 15. player. 84. . SF. Sacramento Kings
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 15. Harrison Barnes, Kings
Harrison Barnes has been one of the few steady hands for Sacramento this season, averaging 16.3 points and 6.0 rebounds on .451/.415/.833 splits. With intangibles to spare and impressive efficiency across the board, Barnes doesn’t really get the credit he deserves. His contract is probably part of the reason why, but even at great expense, he’s one of the best things about the current Kings team.
Even since his days in Golden State, Barnes has been the 3-and-D poster child — an example of great complementary talent on the wing. He doesn’t dominate possessions (almost to a fault sometimes), he hits a lot of spot-up 3s, he gels with teammates, and he’s an excellent multi-positional defender.
Andrew Wiggins. 14. player. 41. . SF. Golden State Warriors
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 14. Andrew Wiggins, Warriors
We might just get Andrew Wiggins in the All-Star game, which has been a long time coming for those who were ride-or-die fans of the Canadian coming out of Kansas. Wiggins’ NBA journey has been anything but smooth sailing, but the former No. 1 pick has found the perfect niche in Golden State.
With increased efficiency from 3-point range, improved shot selection, and drastically improved effort on the defensive end, Wiggins has thrived in the role that once belonged to the aforementioned Harrison Barnes. He can still score off the dribble and showcase his elite athleticism from time to time, but Wiggins is most impactful when his production comes along the margins of the offense, rather than from its center. He’s averaging 18.2 points on .491/.423/.688 splits.
13. player. 211. . SF. Memphis Grizzlies. Dillon Brooks
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 13. Dillon Brooks, Grizzlies
Ja Morant has been the primary recipient of credit when it comes to Memphis’ ascent in the West this season, and for good reason. Dillon Brooks has conversely been sidelined rather extensively due to injury. That said, Brooks — along with several other members of the Grizzlies roster — deserves his share of the applause. Memphis is a remarkably deep and well-rounded team, and there are few better example of that depth than Brooks’ contributions on the wing.
Even with multiple players making leaps around him (Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr.), Brooks still stands out as a key member of Memphis’ starting five. Not only has his scoring taken another leap (18.4 points on 42.6 percent shooting), but Brooks is quietly an All-Defense caliber wing defender. He plays tough-nosed, winning basketball whenever he’s on the floor, and he is generally Memphis’ answer to the league’s elite perimeter creators.