So far, we have looked at my top point and shooting guards heading into the 2017 NBA Offseason. Up next, I’ll be looking at the top 2017 free agent small forwards. The small forwards class has a combination of star power, solid starters, and decent role players. This also is one of the deeper classes I believe so it was hard leaving some people.
Regardless, here is my top 10 2017 NBA free agent small forward class.
10. Shabazz Muhammad
- Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
- Type of FA: Restricted
- 2016-2017 season stats: 9.9 points & 2.8 rebounds
Muhammad has shown flashes of potential during his four years with the T’Wolves but never found consistency. You would think a young player like Muhammad would blend well with other young guys like Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins but that was not the case. Muhammad will still get some looks in free agency, but for more of a lower end deal as a role player.
9. Rudy Gay
- Team: Sacramento Kings
- Type of FA: Player Option
- 2016-2017 season stats: 18.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists & 1.5 steals
On paper, Rudy Gay has had a nice career with the amount of scoring he has done However, injuries have piled up in recent years. The talent is there so teams will still be lining up for his services.
8. James Johnson
- Team: Miami Heat
- Type of FA: Unrestricted
- 2016-2017 season stats: 12.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.0 steals & 1.1 blocks
A year ago, James Johnson was looked at as more of a filler on the Miami Heat roster. A year later, Johnson made a 360 turn in his career. He is in incredible shape and will work hard at both forward positions on both ends of the floor. He will get some looks as a key role player on any team.
7. P.J. Tucker
- Team: Toronto Raptors
- Type of FA: Unrestricted
- 2016-2017 season stats (with Toronto): 5.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists & 1.3 steals
Tucker was brought in during this past trade deadline and did pretty well in the few games he played in Toronto. He is an underrated defender and should get a lot of attention in free agency.
6. Bojan Bogdanovic
- Team: Washington Wizards
- Type of FA: Unrestricted
- 2016-2017 season stats (with Washington): 12.7 points & 3.1 rebounds
Much like Tucker, Bogdanovic came to Washington during the trade deadline and fit nicely with Washington. He is a threat at the three-point line and will get paid this summer.
5. Otto Porter Jr.
- Team: Washington Wizards
- Type of FA: Restricted
- 2016-2017 season stats: 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists & 1.5 steals
Porter has a career year with the Washington Wizards. His excellent season could not have come at a better time. With Washington looking to build on from this past season, I would not surprised that he stays with the Wizards.
4. Andre Iguodala
- Team: Golden State Warriors
- Type of FA: Unrestricted
- 2016-2017 season stats: 7.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists & 1.0 steals
At 33 years old, Iguodala is still one of the top defenders in the league and has become one of the better players off the bench in the league. He is still very athletic and he will still get some looks in free agency despite being on the wrong side of 30.
3. Danilo Gallinari
- Team: Denver Nuggets
- Type of FA: Player Option
- 2016-2017 season stats: 18.2 points, 5.2 rebounds & 2.1 assists
Health has been an issue for Gallinari in years past. When on the court, he can score the ball really well. This will probably be his last major deal in the league given his age (28).
2. Gordon Hayward
- Team: Utah Jazz
- Type of FA: Player Option
- 2016-2017 season stats: 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists & 1.o steals
Gordon Hayward has improved his scoring average every year since joining the league in 2010. This could not have come a better time for Hayward. I expect Utah to do every they can to keep him, but obviously, this will not be cheap for the Jazz.
1. Kevin Durant
- Team: Golden State Warriors
- Type of FA: Player Option
- 2016-2017 season stats: 25.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals & 1.6 blocks
Last year, Durant was one of the top free agents and he is easily one of the top ones this year. Even if he declines his player option, I would not be surprised if he stayed in Golden State for a few more years (then again, I said the same thing last year with OKC).
Stay tuned for my top 10 free agent power forwards.
