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NBA: Ranking The League’s Top 10 Small Forwards For 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) is defended by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) is defended by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 12, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) drives against Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson (1) in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Minnesota won 105-88. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Andrew Wiggins

2015-16 Stats:  20.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, .459/.300/.761 shooting, 16.6 PER

Andrew Wiggins is a fairly flawed player, but all the focus on how scary-good Karl-Anthony Towns already is has unfairly tainted expectations for the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ star wing. Last I checked, Wiggins is still only 21 years old and just put up 20 points a game in his second season.

Wiggins is still a poor three-point shooter, he’s fluctuated between the 2 and 3, and he’s still learning to contribute in categories other than the scoring column, but coming off his Rookie of the Year season, he took the next logical step in his career as a 20 points per game scorer.

Related Story: Ranking The Top 10 NBA Centers In 2016-17

The next areas for improvement in his game will be his three-point touch and evolving into a lockdown wing defender. The long range efficiency might take some time, but Wiggins has the physical tools to be a menacing presence on the defensive end, especially now that he’ll be playing under head coach Tom Thibodeau.

KAT is the future of the franchise and his development has looked a lot smoother, but don’t sleep on Wiggins taking the next step forward — on both ends of the floor — in his third season. Contrary to (somewhat) popular belief, Wiggins’ development is coming along just fine.