With the 2021-22 NBA season approaching its midpoint, we have decided to re-rank every starter at every position. With point guards and shooting guards in the rearview mirror, we now turn our attention to Danny Green and the league’s starting small forwards.
You could argue Green isn’t even the Sixers‘ starting small forward. Matisse Thybulle has started in 17 of 32 appearances this season, but when everyone is healthy (and Green has very rarely been healthy this season), he still stands well above Thybulle in terms of production and fit with the other starters.
So, for now, we will act as though Green is the Sixers’ starting three, even if there’s some doubt as to his long-term status in the starting five. That said, here is every starting small forward in the NBA, ranked from worst to best.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 30. Avery Bradley, Lakers
The Lakers continue to run what amounts to three guards, LeBron James, and a big man. Anthony Davis’ eventual return shouldn’t change that, even if Avery Bradley’s long-term status in the starting five is tenuous at best. Bradley is a veteran with a lot of experience league-wide, but the production and impact have not matched the reputation for several years now. He’s hitting 3s at a healthy clip (38.3 percent), but the Lakers would be better off phasing him out of the rotation.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 29. Patrick Beverley, Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are also sticking with three guards at the moment, and role-wise, Patrick Beverley is essentially a plucky undersized wing. He’s supplying 9.6 points and 5.1 assists while playing his trademark brand of gritty on-ball defense. The scoring efficiency isn’t there right now, but Beverley is a winning play by sheer force of will (and admittedly an oddball on the “small forwards” list, but alas…)
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 28. Danny Green, Sixers
Danny Green is on the decline, but he gets too much grief from the Sixers fanbase. He has been really solid in year 13, averaging 6.7 points on .407/.381/.900 splits and, more importantly, racking up 1.3 steals per game. Green’s quick hands and excellent off-ball awareness make him a positive defender, even if his deteriorating athleticism makes him vulnerable in certain one-on-one matchups.
There’s momentum toward Matisse Thybulle eventually taking over as the Sixers’ starting small forward, assuming Ben Simmons is out for the season. That said, Green has been the far more consistent player this season and remains a much more prolific fit next to Joel Embiid, which is all that really matters most nights.
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.
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.
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.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 24. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Wizards
The Wizards’ decision to trade Russell Westbrook yielded improved depth across the roster, but few have been more impactful than Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Stepping into a starting five that has never had issues scoring the ball, Caldwell-Pope’s versatile shooting and solid wing defense have made him a natural fit.
Washington is built around two ball-dominant guards (more or less) in Bradley Beal and Spencer Dinwiddie. It then falls to Caldwell-Pope to space the floor, make strong cuts, and pick his spots wisely as the No. 3 or 4 scorer. He still has some real juice off the dribble too when called upon. For the season, KCP is averaging 11.6 points on .414/.382/.873 splits.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 23. Royce O’Neale
Royce O’Neale is the forgotten cog in Utah’s machine. He doesn’t get much shine for any number of reasons, but he continues to provide excellent two-way production for one of the NBA’s most consistent two-way teams. He’s the best perimeter defender on the team at 6-foot-7, and he hits 41.2 percent of his 3s.
With season averages of 7.6 points and 5.0 rebounds, it’s not hard to recognize why there’s not much chatter about O’Neale around the league. But he gets the job done every night. He’s extremely efficient in his role, and he does the little things — sharp cuts, quick passing reads, confident 3-point trigger — that make a role player great.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 22. Dorian Finney-Smith, Mavericks
Dorian Finney-Smith has carved out a significant role in Dallas, where he’s the linchpin of the team’s surprisingly successful perimeter defense, as well as a productive complement to Luka Doncic offensively. At 6-foot-7, Finney-Smith’s versatility is key to what Dallas accomplishes on a nightly basis.
For the season, the 28-year-old is averaging 10.7 points and 4.8 rebounds on .450/.377/.660 splits. He’s an excellent spot-up shooter, but also a fruitful slasher with the skill and touch to beat closeouts and take his defender to the cup.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 21. Keldon Johnson, Spurs
Keldon Johnson has improved drastically in each of his first three NBA seasons. The stats paint the picture of an excellent complementary talent. The 6-foot-5 Johnson can defend all over the floor, with the offensive skill set to play on the wing or operate as the small-ball four. His season averages of 14.8 points and 6.3 rebounds on .460/.446/.708 are difficult to poke holes in. He is the quintessential 3-and-D talent.
There is still plenty of room for Johnson to grow moving forward too. He’s still somewhat limited off the dribble, but has the foot speed and shooting touch to become a real weapon — especially when matched up with more slow-footed forwards. He’s not quite the flawless two-way master his staunchest supporters suggest, but Johnson is on the precipice of a long, fruitful NBA career.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 20. De’Andre Hunter, Hawks
The biggest hurdle for De’Andre Hunter to overcome at this stage in his career is his inability to stay on the floor. Injuries have rattled Hunter two years in a row, but when healthy, his flourishes of production are impossible to ignore. Hunter is not only a 41.5 percent 3-point shooter, but also a crafty in-between scorer with the strength, footwork, and soft touch to take defenders off the dribble.
For the season, Hunter is averaging 12.8 points and 3.0 rebounds for the (perhaps too deep) Hawks. He has struggled to find a rhythm, playing in only 16 games so far, but Hunter’s two-way versatility and perfectly suited skill set next to Trae Young make him a prime breakout candidate over the season’s second half.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 19. Eric Gordon, Rockets
Eric Gordon has been remarkable for an extremely young Rockets team, looking flat-out like the team’s best player for long stretches this season. He’s still the same player who feasted off of James Harden passes for so many years, but now he’s being asked to produce more off the dribble — both for himself and for teammates. The results have been nothing short of eye-opening, both for fans and, I’m sure, contenders around the league looking to make a trade deadline splash.
For the season, Gordon is averaging 14.9 points and 3.2 assists on .507/.461/.738 splits. His efficiency both inside and outside the arc has been essential for a Houston team full of young players who haven’t quite learned to make the best decisions with the ball. The Rockets have a lot of guys struggling from the field right now, with poor shot selection being the team’s primary malady most nights. Gordon can only do so much, but he is thriving in subpar circumstances.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 18. T.J. Warren, Pacers
T.J. Warren played in four games last season and we haven’t seen him since. It has been a long, winding road back to the court for Warren, and we still don’t have a clear timeline on when exactly he will make his return. That said, before the injury, very few players shared Warren’s upward trajectory.
Think back to the Bubble, where Warren was one of the handful of best players on the court. Once a mid-range specialist, he was all of a sudden hitting over 40 percent of his 3s, with deep range and plenty of pull-ups mixed in. At his peak, Warren was a diverse and uber-talented wing scorer who could defend multiple positions to boot. Now, we’ll have to see if he can return to that form — and how long it takes him. But, there’s a good chance Warren is higher on this list when next season rolls around.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 17. R.J. Barrett, Knicks
The Knicks have struggled mightily in lieu of last season’s success, and everyone’s to blame. R.J. Barrett’s production is down across the board, and for much of this season, we were left to question if last season was the height of Barrett’s power. Now, however, Barrett (if not the Knicks) is starting to get back on track.
For the season, he’s averaging 16.9 points and 5.7 rebounds, which is by no means bad. His efficiency is down, but with league-average success from deep, even the floor is high for Barrett. He’s one of the strongest wings in the NBA, and he puts that strength to good use driving downhill and finishing through contact at the rim.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 16. Franz Wagner, Magic
Franz Wagner is essentially running neck-and-neck with Evan Mobley in the Rookie of the Year race right now. We have a long way to go, but the Magic forward has exceeded even the highest preseason expectations. He is very clearly a special two-way presence, and at the very forefront of what Orlando is building long-term.
For the season, Wagner is averaging 15.3 points and 4.8 rebounds while slashing .449/.337/.841 from the field. He’s one of the smartest rookies, making quick reads as a passer and already flashing real value scoring off the dribble, which was not always his strength in college. Wagner can score capably at all three levels, and at 6-foot-9, he’s already a well above average defender.
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.
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.
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.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 12. Norman Powell, Trial Blazers
The Blazers are hot garbage these days, but Norman Powell continues to produce admirably in less-than-ideal circumstances. He doesn’t fulfill the most essential role on Portland’s roster due to the abundance of self-creation split between Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, but even so, Powell still averages 18.6 points in characteristically efficient fashion (.455/.399/.820).
With injures abound on the roster, Powell will continue to step up when called upon. You won’t find too many more rock-solid offensive players in the NBA. You know what you’re going to get with Powell — elite 3-point shooting, explosive slashing, and some useful secondary creation.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 11. Joe Harris, Nets
Joe Harris is lucky to occupy the best possible roster for his particular skill set, but simply put, he is a star in his role. Harris may not have the same explosive potential as some players listed behind him, but he’s one of the NBA’s best 3-point shooters and a true wizard moving off the ball. Harris elevates those around him with his gravity, and he can expertly calibrate his game to complement the creators around him.
In 14 games this season, Harris is averaging 11.3 points on .452/.466/.833 splits. The list of shooters who can out-shoot Harris is slim (probably the Curry brothers and Klay Thompson). His dynamism off the ball outstrips even the most explosive on-ball efforts from some of his small forward peers. It’s easy for him to get lost in the shuffle in Brooklyn, but it’s frankly absurd that he’s the No. 4 option on a reasonable contract for that team. You could not find a better fit between player and teammates.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 10. Gordon Hayward, Hornets
Gordon Hayward doesn’t really get the respect his deserves. Charlotte is probably the most fun League Pass team in basketball, and yes — Hayward doesn’t exactly match the highlight reel potential of his core teammates. That said, Hayward is one of the best glue guys in the NBA, and his skill set goes a long way towards elevating the likes of Miles Bridges and Terry Rozier, who do populate the NBA highlight reels.
For the season, Hayward is averaging 17.0 points and 3.7 assists on .470/.392/.845, providing balanced offense as the No. 3 or 4 option every night. He can still get to his spots and provide some juice in isolation, but Hayward has never quite reached the star heights of his Utah days. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t impact winning in a major way still.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 9. Michael Porter Jr., Nuggets
Michael Porter Jr. played nine extremely poor games this season before undergoing major back surgery, casting doubt upon his future in the NBA. It’s therefore difficult to peg down his spot on this list with any certainty. To make matters simple, we will fall back on Porter’s healthiest production, which was certainly top-10 worthy.
In 61 games last season, Porter averaged 19.0 points and 7.3 rebounds for a burgeoning contender in Denver. He was an absolute sniper from the field (.542/.445/.791), emerging as one of the NBA’s best shooters at 6-foot-10. Porter needs to improve his defense and his decision-making, but he’s already a special scorer.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 8. Mikal Bridges, Suns
Mikal Bridges is the perimeter player most deserving of Defensive Player of the Year consideration this season. He continues to get better and better on that side of the ball, using his 7-foot-1 wingspan to force turnovers (1.2 steals per game) and bottle up ball-handlers. Bridges’ instincts stretch well beyond those of your typical 25-year-old, and he’s not half-bad offensively either.
For the season, Bridges (who just signed a lucrative and well-earned extension) is averaging 12.0 points on .506/.386/.849 splits. He doesn’t have to worry much about creating off the dribble next to Chris Paul and Devin Booker, but Bridges is an excellent complementary talent, making sharp cuts, hitting spot-up 3s, and swinging smart passes to his heart’s content.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 7. OG Anunoby, Raptors
An underrated candidate for NBA’s Most Improved Player, OG Anunoby has taken yet another leap in production for the plucky Raptors, who refuse to fade into irrelevance despite significant roster turnover and a lot of youth. Anunoby is a big reason why, combining his trademark defensive dominance with newfound productivity on the offensive end.
Anunoby has long shown flashes of self-creation on offense, but now he’s regularly destroying defenders one-on-one. Listed at 6-foot-7 and sporting one of the NBA’s strongest frames, Anunoby can bully his way to practically any spot on the floor, and he has feather-soft touch on his jump shot. For the season, the 24-year-old is averaging 19.1 points and 5.1 rebounds on .433/.353/.782 splits.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 6. Brandon Ingram, Pelicans
With Zion Williamson continuing to miss time, the Pelicans have needed Brandon Ingram as much as ever, and he continues to deliver. With season averages of 22.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists, Ingram is once again squarely in the All-Star conversation, even if New Orleans’ team-wide struggles will probably prevent him from earning the second nod of his career.
Ingram continues to do just about everything for the Pelicans’ offense. He leads the team in scoring and in assists, which is rare for a player with his size (6-foot-8) and length (7-foot-3). Ingram sees the floor extremely well, which makes for a pretty dominant player when combined with an unguardable jump shot. He’s also a disruptive and often underrated defender.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 5. DeMar DeRozan, Bulls
DeMar DeRozan has exploded into the MVP conversation as the main catalyst behind Chicago’s rise to the top of the Eastern Conference. He’s ultimately not the best player in the NBA, but even so, it’s hard to knock DeRozan’s prolific production across the board. He had a long list of doubters in the summer, and every single one has been proven wrong.
For the season, the 32-year-old is averaging 25.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.9 assists on .489/.347/.850 splits. Not only is DeRozan building on the playmaking acumen he developed in San Antonio — he’s doing it while posting career-best numbers behind the 3-point line and meshing seamlessly with two capable (if vastly different) playmakers in Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 4. Khris Middleton, Bucks
Khris Middleton has long been the unsung hero for a consistently dominant Bucks team. Now he has a championship ring to show for it. Injuries have slowed Middleton down this season, but it’s only a matter of time until he’s back in the swing of things. With averages of 19.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists, there is still plenty to look favorably upon.
There aren’t many better mid-range scorers in the NBA. Middleton has truly mastered the in-between game, and he’s quietly one of the most consistent 3-point shooters in the league too. The main drawback with Middleton has always been a lack of designed plays within the offense, not really anything on his part. He does just about everything well, and he’s a plus defender too.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 3. Jayson Tatum, Celtics
Jayson Tatum has cemented himself as a top-20 NBA player at the very least, with plenty of room (and time) to grow into a perennial MVP candidate. He’s already one of the NBA’s most polished isolation scorers at 23 years old, blending size, trickery, skill, and plain ol’ shooting touch like very few players can. For the season, he’s averaging 25.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on .415/.317/.844 splits.
It hasn’t even been a particularly dominant season for Tatum, who is the centerpiece of a Celtics team that looks dead in the water. It’s not for lack of trying on his part, of course. Tatum carries a large burden for a team that can’t always get out of its own way. His percentages should creep back up over time, and at 6-foot-8, it’s important to remember Tatum’s capacity for elite defense on top of his prolific scoring output.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 2. Jimmy Butler, Heat
Jimmy Butler continues to defy Father Time. At 32 years old, Butler is still a borderline top-10 player, leading one of the East’s primary contenders on both sides of the ball. Butler can carry an offense by himself, or blend into the background, using his elite court vision and feel to elevate teammates. On defense, very few players are more disruptive. He’s averaging 1.9 steals per game, right back near the top of the NBA leaderboard.
With season averages of 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists on .485/.234/.877 splits, Butler has been his typically dominant self. The 3-point shot remains a glaring hole, but it’s pretty much his only hole. Butler is automatic inside the arc, with the patience of a grizzled veteran point guard and the explosive scoring capacity of the NBA’s foremost MVP candidates. He is also perhaps the most clutch player on the planet, depending on who you ask and which stats you look at.
Ranking NBA starting small forwards — 1. Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
Kawhi Leonard probably won’t play this season, and if he does, we can hardly expect a full workload. That said — even with a surplus of injuries on his resumé and severe durability concerns both short and long-term — the top spot is essentially Leonard’s to lose. Until further notice, we cannot in good conscious count him out. Whenever Leonard is healthy and engaged, he has as good a case as anyone for the title of NBA’s best player.
Last season, the 30-year-old averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists on .512/.398/.885 splits. Leonard is strong, with a jumper that no one can quite reach up top and virtually unmatched footwork. He just finds ways to get loose for points, even against the NBA’s most ardent wing defenders. To make matters more impressive, he is also arguably the NBA’s top wing defender on the other side of the ball. There isn’t really a weak point in his game. It’s all a matter of health moving forward.