Philadelphia 76ers: 2023 offseason starting small forward rankings

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Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

15. Scottie Barnes, Raptors

After a rough sophomore season, Scottie Barnes will look for a bounce-back season with the Toronto Raptors. With Fred VanVleet gone, Barnes should get the ball in his hands a lot more which should help the 6-foot-9 improve his play. However, even if he does improve it’s more than likely the Raptors are stuck in mediocrity.

14. RJ Barrett, Knicks

RJ Barrett hasn’t lived up to the hype of being a third overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft. The reason is the lack of a consistent 3-point shot for the 6-foot-6 wing. If he can find an outside shot, the Knicks could become a legit contender.

13. Michael Porter Jr., Nuggets

It’s still crazy how the Denver Nuggets were able to steal Michael Porter Jr. in the 2018 NBA Draft. Porter’s a 6-foot-10 wing who can score on all three levels. He was essential to their title run and there’s still room for him to improve if he stays healthy.

12. Keldon Johnson, Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs might start Jeremy Sochan at the small forward spot, but for now, it seems to be the safe bet to go with proven forward Keldon Johnson. The undersized 6-foot-5 Johnson has developed into a legit two-way wing. If he can become more consistent with his outside shot, he’ll be near impossible to guard.

11. Franz Wagner, Magic

It appears that not only was Franz Wagner a steal in the 2021 draft, but he also appears to be the second-best player for the Orlando Magic. The 6-foot-9 wing is a three-level scorer and playmaker. If he just improves a little bit more on defense and can increase his volume as a scorer, Wagner has a chance at being an All-Star.