With training camp for the 2024-25 season roughly a week away, now's the time to continue looking around the league--specifically the Eastern Conference--and rank the players at each position.Sixers Wirewill rank each projected starter at each position in the East continuing with the small forward spot.
The Philadelphia 76ers will have a new face at the small forward spot in the form of Paul George who is one of the top players in the league. The Sixers were able to lure him over from the Los Angeles Clippers on the strength of a 4-year $212 million deal and Philadelphia's status of being a title contender.
Please note that these starter rankings will be based onHoopsHype's depth chart for each teamin the NBAwith a few minor tweaks.
Here is the ranking of every small forward in the East:
1. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
2023-24 stats:26.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.9 apg, 1.0 spg, 0.6 bpg, 47.1 FG%, 37.6 3P% in 74 games
This is where the tweaks come in. Tatum is projected to start at the power forward spot for Boston to accommodate Jaylen Brown, but he is a small forward by nature. Either way, Tatum is one of the elite players in this league. He can score in his sleep, is an underrated defender, and is a leader on the floor. He has led Boston to the finals twice including bringing home a title in 2024 averaging 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in the finals.
2. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
2023-24 stats:23.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.2 spg, 49.9% FG%, 35.4% 3P% in 70 games
See? Just some tweaks. The Celtics will feature two players on this list because they play the same position and are versatile enough to play multiple ones. Brown was fantastic for Boston in the 2024 finals averaging 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists on his way to winning finals MVP. He and Tatum will team up to continue making Boston the team to beat in the NBA.
3. Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers
2023-24 stats:22.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.5 spg, 0.5 bpg, 47.1 FG%, 41.3 3P% in 74 games
George enters a new situation in Philadelphia as essentially the No. 3 option behind Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in the offense. That should cause opposing coaches to have nightmares trying to scheme up ways to slow down the Sixers. George was hugely efficient on the offensive end in 2023-24 and figures to be one of the top players in the league again in the coming season.
4. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
2023-24 stats:20.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.3 spg, 0.3 bpg, 49.9 FG%, 41.4 3P% in 60 games
2023-24 didn't end the way Butler and the Heat envisioned with his injury in the play-in loss to the Sixers, but nobody wants to face him or the Heat when he's healthy in the playoffs. Butler rises to the occasion whenever the time calls for it as his 2023 run leading the No. 8 seed Heat to the finals is one of the best playoff runs in NBA history. He is a certified closer and somebody who can put the nail in the coffin down the stretch of games.
5. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
2023-24 stats:19.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 6.1 apg, 1.3 spg, 1.5 bpg, 47.5 FG%, 34.1 3P% in 60 games
Barnes can do so much on the floor. He can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. He can lead a fast break and either finish it or make the right pass to an open teammate. He is a pest on the defensive end. He has continued to make improvements to his 3-point shot and he is now the leader of this rebuild for the Raptors going forward. The 2022 Rookie of the Year is on his way to being a multi-time All-Star.
6. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
2023-24 stats:19.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.1 spg, 0.4 bpg, 48.2 FG%, 28.1 3P% in 72 games
Wagner is a consistent 3-pointer away from being an All-Star in this league. He has had one of the fastest rises in the league since being drafted in 2021 and has been one of the keys to Orlando's rise from the doldrums in the East. However, his 3-point percentage fell from 36.1% in 2022-23 to 28.1% in 2023-24 and then 26.5% in the 2024 playoffs. That has to be figured out.
7. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks
2023-24 stats:14.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 0.7 bpg, 48.9 FG%, 38.2 3P% in 50 games
What a difference Anunoby made for New York. Once the Knicks made the trade to acquire him from the Raptors, they took off with Anunoby making a huge difference both as a 3-point shooter and a defender while also being able to do all of the little things that help a team win games. He shot 39.4% from deep in 23 games for New York and was a big difference-maker in the playoffs.
8. Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
2023-24 stats:15.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.3 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.3 bpg, 49.3 FG%, 38.1 3P% in 55 games
It's a shame that Middleton has been hampered by injuries in the past because he is a terrific talent. He was a huge reason Milwaukee was able to bring home the title in 2021 and he had some big moments in the 2024 postseason with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined. Middleton averaged 24.7 points and 9.2 rebounds while shooting 35.5% from deep as the No. 2 option next to Damian Lillard in the postseason.
9. Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards
2023-24 stats:22.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, 0.5 spg, 0.7 bpg, 46.3 FG%, 33.6 3P% in 70 games
Kuzma may be miscast as a No. 1 option, but he has shown that he can play a role on a title team. He can score in bunches, knock down open looks from 3, make the hustle plays that make a difference, and he is a guy teams can turn to when they need a basket and feel confident about it. The Wizards still need to look for a guy who can lead their rebuild, but Kuzma isn't a bad option to keep around.
10. Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets
2023-24 stats:21.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.3 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.5 bpg, 46.2 FG%, 34.9 3P% in 69 games
Bridges can play either the 3 or the 4 which makes him perfect for today's modern NBA that values versatility and an ability to do multiple things on the floor. His outside shooting hasn't been anything to write home about, but overall, Bridges is a more than solid player who can produce in many different ways. Another solid player the Hornets can boast on their roster.
11. Aaron Nesmith, Indiana Pacers
2023-24 stats: 12.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.5 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.7 bpg, 49.6% FG% 41.9% 3P% in 72 games
After a slow start to his career in Boston, Nesmith has turned into a legitimate outside threat which is a perfect piece to put around stars Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam in Indiana. Nesmith can also put the ball on the floor and finish which makes him a terrific piece for today's style of play in the NBA.
12. Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls
2023-24 stats: 12.3 ppg, 4.8 apg, 6.4 rpg, 0.6 spg, 47.5% FG%, 33.7% 3P% in 80 games
Again, tweaks. The Bulls will run out three guards in their projected starting lineup with Giddey, Coby White, and Zach LaVine. None of those names are small forwards in the traditional sense of the word. However, Giddey has the size to defend taller players and his smooth offensive game makes him a good complement next to LaVine and White. He will have to improve his 3-point shot however in Chicago.
13. De'Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks
2023-24 stats: 15.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 0.7 spg, 45.9% FG%, 38.5% 3P% in 57 games
Injuries have slowed Hunter's progression in the league. When he's at his best, he is an explosive wing athlete who can shoot the 3-ball at a high rate and defend well enough to slow down the opposition's top scorer. The issue is, he has been injury-riddled throughout his career and the Hawks did just select Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 overall pick. Hunter's status in Atlanta is in question.
14. Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets
2023-24 stats: 8.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.6 apg, 0.8 spg, 42.1% FG%, 34.8% 3P% in 68 games
Finney-Smith is a prime trade candidate for Brooklyn due to the fact that the Nets are set to begin a rebuild and are looking to focus on the development of the youngsters. He has shown he can help a contending team as was a starter on the 2022 Western Conference finalist Dallas Mavericks and helped the Nets make the playoffs in 2023.
15. Isaac Okoro, Cleveland Cavaliers
2023-24 stats: 9.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.9 apg, 0.8 spg, 49% FG%, 39.1% 3P% in 69 games
Okoro was already considered one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, but his offensive game is a bit raw still four seasons into his career. His 3-point shooting did take a huge jump from 36.3% in 2022-23 to 39.1% in 2023-24 on 3.1 attempts so if he can continue that trajectory with his shot, Cleveland will be in a much better place in terms of their contention.
16. Malik Beasley, Detroit Pistons
2023-24 stats: 11.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.4 apg, 0.7 spg, 44.3% FG%, 41.3% 3P% in 79 games
Beasley is going to be a great addition to the Pistons because he brings an elite skill that the Pistons desperately crave: 3-point shooting. He can knock down tough shots from deep and space the floor for Cade Cunningham which is something coach JB Bickerstaff will be focusing on in the coming season. Beasley will enter Detroit and give the Pistons a legitimate threat from beyond the arc on a cheap contract as well.
