Top 10 small forwards heading into the 2021-22 NBA season

Positions in basketball are relative. But they have been made popular in the NBA to separate different types of players according to their playing styles and, at times, heights. The small forward position in today's NBA can be described as one with several talented players who can do a lot for their teams.

LeBron James has played the point guard position for most of his career. But he is a small forward who looks less like the other players who have played the position over the years. Nevertheless, his unique abilities have served him well in a lot of roles on the court.

On that note, let's find out if LeBron James, entering his 19th NBA season, makes the list of top ten small forwards entering the upcoming 2021-22 campaign. Without further ado, let's get started:

#10 Michael Porter Jr.

Michael Porter Jr. (#1) of the Denver Nuggets drives to the net.

Michael Porter Jr. endured a long-term back injury that kept him off the court during what would've been his rookie season in the NBA in 2018-19. However, the 14th pick of the 2018 NBA Draft has had two seasons with solid displays, especially in the 2020-21 campaign.

The Denver Nuggets forward had a quiet regular season as a rookie in 2019-20, but came to life in the 2020 NBA Playoffs. He followed that up by averaging a highly efficient 19 points per game in the 2020-21 season with Denver, with 54/44/79 shooting splits and 7.3 rebounds per night.

He definitely has star potential, and the 23-year-old's progression has been rapid.

#9 DeMar DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan is essentially a shooting guard/ small forward. But he makes the cut as one of the ten-best small forwards in today's NBA, mainly due to his offensive work.

There was a lot of noise regarding DeRozan's possible All-Star spot last year, as he played a key role for the San Antonio Spurs offensively. The 32-year-old has been in the NBA since the 2009-10 season, and is a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA player.

He is headed to the Chicago Bulls, where his offense could flourish with the offensive talent there. DeRozan averaged 21.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game last year, while making 49.5% of his field goals and 88% of his free throws.

He had a low 3P shooting percentage (25%) last year. But DeRozan only averaged 1.2 attempts from the three, so it did not really hinder his team.

#8 Brandon Ingram

Brandon Ingram (#14) of the New Orleans Pelicans.

The New Orleans Pelicans had a young, talented roster in the 2020-21 NBA season. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram were at the top of the list, in terms of potential.

Ingram had already been an All-Star in 2020, while Williamson made it to the 2021 event. Although Ingram could not join his teammate in the All-Star Game, he had a good offensive campaign once again. Though the Pelicans eventually failed to make the NBA Playoffs or even the Play-In tournament, Ingram is one of the best small forwards in the league.

In his last two seasons, enjoying a primary role for New Orleans, Ingram has averaged 23.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in 123 appearances with 46/38/86 shooting splits.

#7 Khris Middleton

Khris Middleton (#22) of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots.

Khris Middleton was instrumental in the Milwaukee Bucks' 2021 NBA championship. He has been key for the team in the last few seasons, backing up Giannis Antetokounmpo.

A two-time All-Star, Middleton has not really exploded in the postseason for the Bucks in the last few campaigns. However, he has performed excellently in the regular season. He was also great in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, in moments of high pressure.

Middleton had another efficient regular season last year, averaging 20.4 points, six rebounds and a career-high 5.4 assists per game. He also flirted with a 50/40/90 season once again, putting up a 47/41/89 shooting split.

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#6 Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers slam dunks.

Kawhi Leonard is easily one of the best small forwards in the NBA today, and in the history of the league. However, his knee injury is a big factor why he is not among the top 3 on this list.

The LA Clippers small forward is already a two-time NBA champion. Last season, he put up 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. He also had a decent shooting split, with 51.2% efficiency from the field, 39.8% from the three and 88% from the free-throw line.

Leonard also made his fifth All-Star appearance last season, his fifth All-NBA (third-time in the first team) and his seventh All-Defensive selection. He is likely to miss the entire 2021-22 NBA season, reducing his value and ranking on this list.

#5 Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler (#22) of the Miami Heat brings the ball up court.

Jimmy Butler cemented himself as one of the best small forwards in today's NBA after leading the Miami Heat to the 2020 NBA Finals in the Orlando bubble. However, he failed to replicate his postseason success in 2021, as the Heat got swept in the first round.

Butler struggled mightily in that series against the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 14.5 points per game and a 29% field-goal percentage. Nevertheless, he remains one of the top players in the league. But he has to perform well for the Heat on the big stage more often.

Last season, Butler did not make the All-Star Game, but did earn All-NBA and All-Defensive honors. He played 52 games in the regular season. helping the Heat to a 33-19 record with him on the court, as opposed to 7-13 without him.

#4 Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum (#10) of Team United States goes up for a dunk.

Jayson Tatum has been a player with tremendous potential since he entered the NBA. Continuing his impressive progression during his fourth NBA season in 2020-21, he showed that he could become an NBA superstar.

Tatum averaged 26.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game (all career highs) in the 2020-21 NBA regular season. Those numbers earned him a second All-Star appearance, and Tatum could be one of the most dominant players in the 2021-22 NBA season too.

He had two games of at least 50 points in last year's regular season, and hit 60 once. In the NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics fell in the first round against the Brooklyn Nets. But Tatum had solid performances, including 50 points in the Game-3 win and 40 in the next match.

#3 Paul George

Paul George is one of the most underrated players in today's NBA. But he provided glimpses of his potential when leading a team in the NBA Playoffs in 2021.

George probably had the worst time of his career during the 2020 NBA Bubble. But he came back for the 2020-21 NBA season with solid displays, which he had shown before during his days with the Indiana Pacers and the OKC Thunder.

Last season, George averaged 23.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game with 46/41/86 shooting splits in the NBA regular campaign. In the NBA Playoffs, George averaged 26.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game, though he made only 33% of his three-pointers.

When Kawhi Leonard got injured in Game 4 of the Western Conference semi-finals, George took over and took the LA Clippers to the Finals. He had some free-throw glitches in the NBA Playoffs. But George has proved that he can be a leader on the biggest stages of the postseason.

#2 LeBron James

Yes, LeBron James is only #2 on this list. Considering that he will be playing in his 19th NBA season, the 36-year-old is still playing at a high level. That is a testament to how good he has been throughout his career.

Though some of his physical attributes have diminished, LeBron James is still in the conversation for the best player in today's NBA/ The LA Lakers will be NBA title contenders in the 2021-22 season as long as the team's best players remain healthy.

Last campaign, James averaged 25 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game in the regular season. James was one of the early contenders for the NBA MVP award, before an ankle injury meant he played just 45 games in the regular season.

Nevertheless, he earned his 17th All-NBA appearance and his 17th appearance in the All-Star Game and a record 17th All-Star starting appearance. He did so in his 17th consecutive selection, which is another record.

#1 Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant (#7) of Team United States.

Kevin Durant is considered by many as the best player in the current NBA. The Brooklyn Nets' superstar was hugely impressive in the 2020-21 NBA season, even after missing 18 months due to injury.

Durant struggled with injuries in the regular season. But he played 35 games and averaged 26.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game with an incredible 53/45/88 shooting split.

In the 2021 NBA Playoffs, the heavily-favored Brooklyn Nets fell in the second round. But Durant was impressive despite Kyrie Irving out and James Harden struggling.

In the 2021 NBA Playoffs, Durant averaged 34.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game with 51/40/87 shooting splits in 12 games.

In the second-round loss against the Milwaukee Bucks. Durant produced a series of unbelievable performances. He put up a 49-point triple-double in the fifth game of the series, and then scored 48 points and hit a game-tying shot (almost a game winner) in the closing seconds of Game 7.