Sept. 12, 2026, 3:31 p.m. CT
HoopsHype ranked Rockets star Kevin Durant as the fifth-best small forward for the 2026-27 season.Jayson Tatum and Cooper Flagg secured the top two spots in the small forward rankings.Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder was controversially ranked fourth, ahead of Durant.Kawhi Leonard, Deni Avdija, Franz Wagner, Brandon Ingram, and Brandon Miller completed the top-10 list.
Ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season, HoopsHype is releasing rankings at every position. While Fred VanVleet was rated rather low as a point guard, Rockets star Kevin Durant was recently ranked as one of the best in his position. In a list of the top 27 small forwards in the NBA, Durant placed fifth after averaging 26 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.9 blocks in 78 appearances last season.
The Duke duo of Jayson Tatum and Cooper Flagg were ranked first and second, respectively, before the newest member of the Philadelphia 76ers (Jaylen Brown) came in at No. 3. No. 4 is a much more controversial choice, as Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder was given the nod over Durant despite playing in just 33 contests last year. Kawhi Leonard (Raptors), Deni Avdija (Trail Blazers), Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic), Brandon Ingram (Clippers) and Brandon Miller (Hornets) rounded out the top-10.
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