With the NBA season just around the corner it’s time to take a look at the best fantasy players for this season. With most fantasy drafts set to take place this week it’s important to dissect the players and break down the pre-season rankings for each position.
This particular article will explore the top small forwards that can help your fantasy team out this season. There’s no doubt that some of the best players in the entire NBA are on our small forward list, so landing one of these top players could be the difference between winning and losing for your fantasy team this season.
Another thing that is convenient about the small forward position is that many of these players can fill other holes on your roster as well. Small forward is one of the most versatile positions on the court, and often times players are used to plug other holes as well. That’s one thing to consider when drafting your small forwards this season. While it may be beneficial to pick a highly skilled player that is limited to small forward, towards the later stages of your draft you may be able to draft a more hybrid player that you can use in other positions as well when needed.
15. Danilo Gallinari: SF, PF, Denver Nuggets
2011-12 Projections: 15.7 PPG, 1.7 APG, 5.0 RPG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG
After being traded to the Nuggets from the New York Knicks last season Gallinari found his shooting touch and put up rather successful fantasy numbers. He averaged 15.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, but nagging injuries really limited him throughout the season. Now that he’s had an extended off-season to heal up and get ready to play, as well as study the Nuggets offense, he could have a breakout fantasy year in 2011-12. Gallinari will be a good mid to late round draft choice for your fantasy team this season.
14. Wesley Matthews: SG, SF, Portland Trail Blazers
2011-12 Projections: 14.3 PPG, 1.9 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Heading into the season I was really high on Wesley Matthews as a fantasy prospect. With the retirement of Brandon Roy his stock raised even higher. But after the Blazers signed Jamal Crawford it seems that Matthews might not be quite as productive as we initially thought. Regardless, Matthews should still put up decent numbers on a Portland team that could make a splash in the Western Conference. While Matthews isn’t going to rack up a lot of assists or rebounds, he should still get plenty of open looks with the defense focused on players like LaMarcus Aldridge and Gerald Wallace.
———————————————–
Join our $500 Fantasy Basketball Tournament – It’s FREE
———————————————–
13. Stephen Jackson: SG, SF, Milwaukee Bucks
2011-12 Projections: 18.4 PPG, 3.8 APG, 5.1 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Stephen Jackson is a bit on an anomaly in the NBA. He has played for six different NBA teams and will be joining his seventh when he takes the court for the Bucks this season. However, despite bouncing around the league Jackson has still been a valuable fantasy player for nearly a decade. He’s a fantasy owner’s dream because he contributes in nearly every category on the board. This allows him to be useful as both a small forward and a shooting guard for your team. As one of the top scoring options on the team Jackson should be able to put up another solid season for fantasy owners.
12. Luol Deng: SF, Chicago Bulls
2011-12 Projections: 17.4 PPG, 5.4 APG, 2.9 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Last season the Chicago Bulls surprised everyone by finishing the regular season with the best record in the NBA. While a lot of the credit was given to league MVP Derrick Rose, the supporting cast in Chicago played a crucial role as well. Unfortunately, Luol Deng has missed ample time the last three seasons due to injury. This risk reduces his potential value as a fantasy player because owners simply haven’t been able to rely on him. Still, when Deng is healthy he is a very strong addition to any fantasy team. He puts up solid numbers across the board, and has even seen an increase in his 3-point attempts under head coach Tom Thibodeau. Deng is a draft-at-your-own-risk type of player.
11. Dorell Wright: SF, Golden State Warriors
2011-12 Projections: 15.5 PPG, 2.8 APG, 5.3 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Dorell Wright was a fantasy breakout star during 2010-11, and very well could have been the biggest waiver pickup for hundreds of players. Wright capitalized on his first full-time starting gig and put up great numbers in the process. This season he won’t be sneaking up on anybody, but he still has the potential to be a successful fantasy contributor for your team. While he won’t shoot a very high percentage, Wright still offers a high amount of statistical versatility that is sure to entice fantasy owners.
Next Page: Top Fantasy Small Forwards 10-6
10. Joe Johnson: SG, SF, Atlanta Hawks
2011-12 Projections: 18.8 PPG, 4.9 APG, 4.2 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG
After seeing his scoring drop significantly last season Johnson will be looking to rebound in 2011-12. Of course, the drop in numbers was more due to a new offensive system than diminishing skills. Johnson may have to score more this season with Jamal Crawford on his way to Portland, but with head coach Larry Drew’s system still in place we might see a continued depreciation of Johnson’s numbers. Johnson should be a decent pick up in the middle rounds of your draft, and could be a good spot filler and match-up start.
9. Andre Iguodala: SG, SF, Philadelphia 76ers
2011-12 Projections: 14.8 PPG, 6.6 APG, 5.7 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Andre Iguodala has been a solid fantasy guard for several seasons at this point. However, coming off a season where he missed 15 games due to a sore Achilles. Also, with coach Doug Collins he has found himself as more of a facilitator than a scorer. With Eric Turner rising in status and skill, Iguodala’s numbers might continue to decrease this season. Still, Iggy has the chance to be a solid fantasy reserve for your team.
———————————————–
Join our $500 Fantasy Basketball Tournament – It’s FREE
———————————————–
8. Gerald Wallace: SF, PF, Portland Trail Blazers
2011-12 Projections: 16.1 PPG, 2.3 APG, 8.3 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 0.9 BPG
Gerald Wallace is one of those players that never has plays drawn up for him but always manages to get his numbers anyways. Wallace has struggled with injuries in the past, but has managed to remain healthy over the last few seasons. This will be his first full season in Portland, and he could certainly benefit from the talent he has around him. With the defense focused on players like LaMarcus Aldridge and Jamal Crawford, Wallace will find plenty of opportunities to crash the boards and get easy buckets. If he can stay healthy again this season, Wallace has the potential to be an elite fantasy forward.
7. Paul Pierce: SG, SF, Boston Celtics
2011-12 Projections: 18.4 PPG, 3.1 APG, 5.2 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Pierce, much like the rest of the Celtics, has been aging rapidly over the last two seasons. While Pierce is certainly still a top 10 ranked player in the shooting guard hierarchy, he isn’t going to be able to put up the numbers that he has in the past. Pierce is also dealing with a nagging heel injury heading into the season that may slow him down. But, despite all the injury concerns and the questions surrounding his age, Pierce is still in a great position thanks to some of his teammates. Players like Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett are able to draw the attention of the defense, which leaves Pierce in a position to put up similar numbers to those he produced last season.
6. Danny Granger: SF, Indiana Pacers
2011-12 Projections: 20.8 PPG, 2.3 APG, 5.2 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Three years ago Danny Granger was one of the best fantasy options in the NBA. However, since the Pacers roster has improved dramatically during these last few seasons he isn’t quite the statistical monster he once was. Still, Granger is one of the best small forwards in the league and should put up decent numbers again this season. Granger is the type of player that has a tendency to be picked too high in some drafts. If that’s the case, don’t sweat it. But, if he drops to the middle rounds and you have an opportunity to snag him as a strong value pick, do it.
Next Page: Top 5 Fantasy Small Forwards
5. Rudy Gay: SF, Memphis Grizzlies
2011-12 Projections: 19.6 PPG, 2.3 APG, 6.0 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 0.9 BPG
After missing most of last season with a shoulder injury, Rudy Gay is once again healthy and ready to go. Before the injury he was a top-25 fantasy option, and offered owners high amounts of points and rebounds on a nightly basis. With the improved Grizzlies roster you can expect Gay to have a little more freedom from the defense. Since players like Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol will steal a lot of the defensive attention, Gay should see his opportunities increase on the offensive end.
4. Josh Smith: SF, PF, Atlanta Hawks
2011-12 Projections: 17.4 PPG, 3.2 APG, 8.6 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 1.7 BPG
Josh Smith offers fantasy owners a versatility that is nearly unmatched. While he doesn’t get all the hustle stats that he once did anymore, he’s still a very valuable addition to every fantasy roster. With the loss of Jamal Crawford, the Hawks will have to find scoring from other sources this season. One of those sources certainly seems to be Smith, who is looking to improve on his 16.5 PPG average from a year ago. Smith will also offer fantasy owners more blocks than nearly any other player at his position, and can be used as a small forward/power forward hybrid when needed.
———————————————–
Join our $500 Fantasy Basketball Tournament – It’s FREE
———————————————–
3. Carmelo Anthony: SF, New York Knicks
2011-12 Projections: 26.0 PPG, 3.2 APG, 6.7 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG
After being traded during the season last year from Denver to New York, Anthony found himself alongside a superstar player for the first time in his career. Anthony responded well to teaming up with Amar’e Stoudemire, and had a decent fantasy season as well. Anthony’s value also increases when you take into account head coach Mike D’Antoni’s offensive system, which virtually allows him to score as often as he wants. The only reason Anthony is listed as the third best player on this list is because the two guys above him are the top two players in the NBA period. Draft Anthony early and ride his run-and-gun offense all season long.
2. LeBron James: SF, Miami Heat
2011-12 Projections: 27.3 PPG, 7.3 APG, 7.7 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG
James is one of the most statistically versatile players in the NBA. On any given night he could end up with a triple double, but also provides plenty of blocks and steals for his fantasy owners as well. While many thought that playing alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh would reduce his fantasy value, James still is managing to put up extraordinary numbers. While he may not be scoring as much as he once did, James is still an excellent choice as your first overall draft pick. In fact, the only reason he’s not listed number one on this list is purely because of the talent he has around him compared to Kevin Durant and Oklahoma City.
1. Kevin Durant: SF, Oklahoma City Thunder
2011-12 Projections: 28.1 PPG, 2.8 APG, 7.0 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Last season Kevin Durant broke out in a very big way. He averaged 27.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 1.9 3-pointers and 1.1 blocks per game, and took home the NBA scoring title in the process. This year should be another big one for the young superstar, as he is looking to take the next step and contend for the league’s Most Valuable Player award. Durant will put up great numbers in every statistical category, and will be the top overall pick in most NBA fantasy drafts this season. Durant never gets injured, either, which makes him one of the surest things in all of fantasy basketball.
Make sure you’re prepared for your fantasy draft with our complete fantasy rankings. Check out the top fantasy point guards, shooting guards, power forwards and centers as well.