Ranking 76ers’ Tobias Harris and the top 30 NBA small forwards
With the NBA trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the NBA contenders have mostly reached their final form. It was a busy deadline, with 27 of 30 teams working themselves into the fray. Kevin Durant is a Phoenix Sun! A lot has changed, but then again, all the players are still the same.
Last week, we ranked the top 30 point guards and the top 30 shooting guards in the NBA. Now, it’s time to tackle the small forward position — and, for the Philadelphia 76ers, that means Tobias Harris.
The NBA is a wing’s league nowadays. The small forward position has never felt more important. Harris’ development as a shooter and decision-maker has been paramount to the Sixers’ evolution as a genuine contender in the East.
Let’s dive in.
Ranking Tobias Harris and the top 30 NBA small forwards
86. . SF. Minnesota Timberwolves. Jaden McDaniels. 30. player
Jaden McDaniels has stepped up in the Wolves’ starting five, especially since KAT’s injury. He’s an efficient floor-spacer and finisher who provides rangy defense on the perimeter. It will be interesting to see how his role evolves over time.
SF. Indiana Pacers. Bennedict Mathurin. 29. player. 100.
Bennedict Mathurin has cooled off considerably since his red-hot start to the season, but Indy has to be happy with the reigning No. 6 pick. A fearless slasher with impressive burst, Mathurin does a great job of getting a step on his defender before jerking them out of their shoes with sudden shifts in momentum. He needs to round out his skill set, but Mathurin is already a very capable bucket-getter.
Oklahoma City Thunder. Jalen Williams. 28. player. 149. . SF
Jalen Williams has very quietly been the best rookie not named Paolo Banchero for the past couple months. With OKC starting to look more like burgeoning contenders, Williams’ wide-ranging connective skill set and versatile defense should continue to prove valuable for years to come.