In the third of our five-part series analyzing the top five National Basketball Association players at each position, now is the time to take a look at small forwards. It should come as no surprise that number one on the list is simply known as “The King.”
5) Kawhi Leonard–Los Angeles Clippers—The four-time all-star made headlines this week when we found out one of the reasons why Leonard left the Raptors for the Clippers last season. He went on the Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and said he could not find a pair of gloves that fit him according to Rogers Sportsnet. This was probably comedy sketch, but this could definitely irk Canadian basketball fans. In 2019-20, Leonard averaged 27.1 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game, and 4.9 assists per game, with a .470 field goal percentage, a three-point percentage of .378, and a free throw percentage of .886. Leonard is also known throughout his career for his steals. He has 932 steals in 524 games.
4) Jayson Tatum–Boston Celtics—The third-year forward moved primarily to power forward with the Celtics in 2019-20, but it is still classified as a small forward in fantasy basketball. Last season he averaged career highs in points per game (23.4), rebounds per game (seven), assists per game (three). Tatum also had a field goal percentage of .450, three-point percentage of .403, and a free throw percentage of .812. He was a major reason why the Celtics reached the Eastern Conference Finals in the Orlando bubble.
3) Bradley Beal–Washington Wizards—Although primarily utilized as a shooting guard, Beal has played small forward on occasion, making him one of the NBA’s most productive swingmen. Beal’s success this season will depend on his chemistry with the new Wizard point guard, Russell Westbrook. Last season in 57 games, Beal averaged 30.5 points per game (career high), 6.1 assists per game (career high), 4.2 rebounds per game, .455 field goal percentage, .353 three-point percentage, and a .842 free-throw percentage (career high).
2) Devin Booker–Phoenix Suns—There was a belief by many that Devin Booker has the chance of being one of the game’s superstars down the road. Why not now at age 24? This past season in the Arizona desert, he averaged 26.6 points per game, 6.5 assists per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, .489 field goal percentage, .354 three-point percentage, and a .919 free throw percentage. The .919 free throw percentage really stands out, as it was the second best percentage in the NBA this past season. Only Brad Wanamaker of the Boston Celtics was better at .926.
1)LeBron James–Los Angeles Lakers—So far this week, James was number three among point guards, but is number one among small forwards. James is extremely useful in fantasy leagues, because he can be utilized in some fantasy leagues not only as a point guard and small forward, but shooting guard, and even power forward as well. I guess that is one of the many reasons why the 16-time All-Star, four-time NBA MVP, and four-time NBA Finals champion, is simply known as “The King.” In 2019-20, James averaged 25.3 points per game, 10.2 assists per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, a field goal percentage of .493, a three-point percentage of .348, and a free throw percentage of .693.
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