This small forward crop in the 2018 NBA Draft class has heavy international flavor. Here are the top five prospects at that position right now.
In this day and age, it’s tough to define what exactly a small forward is. The wing positions have more or less bled together, while most traditional 3s now find themselves playing heavy minutes at the 4. It’s almost a positional middle ground for those who wouldn’t naturally classify themselves at power forward, yet don’t really fit the perception of what a guard is supposed to do.
In the 2018 NBA Draft class, the versatility that comes with such a label shows up quite a bit. The small forward talent isn’t that deep, but there are multiple players who can thrive at multiple positions, whether it be shifting to the interior on defense or thriving as a secondary ball-handler on offense.
There’s also a heavy international flavor. This year’s class brings far more talent from the international ranks than last year, and the majority of those prospects find themselves on the wing.
Those factors combine to make this one of the more interesting positions we’ll follow next season. There isn’t much certainty, and with that comes plenty of talking points — from general speculation to bold predictions. That, in shortened form, means more question marks that’ll have to be answered.
5. Rodions Kurucs, Barcelona 2
Prior to opting out at the deadline, Kurucs was entrenched in the first round conversation last year. While there are some serious limitations to his game, the Latvian figures to retain that status — and potentially improve upon it — as next June approaches.
More from NBA Draft
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Grading every NBA team’s highest draft pick in the last five years
- Meet Matas Buzelis, the NBA’s next great point-forward
- Predicting the top 5 rookies heading into the 2023–24 NBA season
- NBA Draft: Grading every first-round pick after rookie year
Kurucs, like many European wings, is hurt most by his frame. At 6’9” without much to speak of in regards to his wingspan, Kurucs doesn’t have the same defensive ceiling that some of his collegiate counterparts do. He will, however, get some valuable experience under the umbrella of one of Europe’s biggest basketball powerhouses in Barcelona, where he’ll likely see extended time with the organization’s secondary team.
While Kurucs’ length and general lack of strength hurt him on the defensive end, his offense is more than enough to pique the interest of teams in that 15-30 range. He’s a crafty scorer from mid-range, using subtle dribble moves and a smooth stroke to find space and elevate for shots. He only shot 31.9 percent from deep last season, which is cause for concern, but his stroke should be conducive to improvement over the next few years.
He’s also a plus athlete, showing nice elevation around the rim and some underrated explosiveness when driving the lane. He’s not long, but he has the tools needed to stick as an offensive specialist at the NBA level. Ideally, he’ll bulk up and play some stretch-4 at some point down the line.
4. Mikal Bridges, Villanova
Bridges will take over as Villanova’s marquee prospect with Josh Hart now in Los Angeles. While he doesn’t bring the same flash that a lot of first round talents can, Bridges’ athletic profile and all-around skill-set is more than enough to earn him a spot in the first round on most draft boards.
Measuring out at 6’6” with a 7’0″ wingspan, Bridges fits the mold of what teams want on the wing defensively. He can guard 1-3 effectively, and may be able to switch onto the occasional power forward in time. He couples those tools with excellent energy and instincts as well, often locking down the opposition’s best player in isolation while getting into passing lanes and pushing through screens elsewhere.
Offensively, Bridges is a niche player more so than anything else — which is absolutely fine for somebody in his range. Likely a late first-rounder, Bridges won’t be somebody teams are asking to carry a significant load. He’ll be stationed off the ball, making cuts to the rim while spotting up with success from deep — where he hit on 39.3 percent of his shots last season.
As somebody who characterizes the 3-and-D label well, Bridges is the type of role player that has a spot in almost every NBA rotation. He’s not a first or second option, but he has the type of intangibles that will make his team better regardless of counting stats.
3. Arnoldas Kulboka, Capo D’Orlando
At 6’9” with a 6’11” wingspan, Kulboka was on the draft radar last season, but is set to finally enter his name into the mix come 2018. Currently on loan to Capo D’Orlando in Italy, we should see Kulboka log some heavy playing time in a setting that’s designed to get him developmental minutes. He lacks the strength to compete at the next level early on, but is another plus athlete who could play either forward position once his frame fills out.
Offense is what should move Kulboka up most draft boards as the season progresses. He’s extremely mobile for his size, showing legitimate isolation prowess and thriving in transition, where his soft touch and fluid movement allows him to run the court and finish from a variety of angles around the basket.
He’s also a strong spot-up shooter, coming off of screens and knocking down shots from NBA range on occasion. His mechanics look even better than his 36.2 percent tally from last season, and that potential as a floor spacer — especially once he’s able to spend heavy minutes at the 4 — is what will draw most teams to him as a prospect.
He’s also a bouncy athlete, which yields some serious upside on the defensive end. We’re likely a few years out from seeing Kulboka in his best form, but he has the potential to defend multiple positions, block shots on the weakside and pose a consistent offensive threat at either forward spot.
In a league that preaches versatility, he’ll fit right in.
2. Isaac Bonga, Frankfurt
As arguably the biggest upside play among first round talents, Bonga boasts point guard skills with the physical tools of a small forward. He’s somebody who has a lot to prove next season in Frankfurt, but presents the type of versatile skill-set that fits seamlessly with the trends of today’s NBA.
You could easily slot Bonga at point guard, and if it weren’t for a limited jumper and some questions about his quickness, we might have. He’ll likely be stashed overseas to start off his career, but we should see Bonga carrying some ball-handling duties whenever he does make his way to the States.
With a 6’9” frame and 7’0″ wingspan, Bonga’s vision is aided tremendously by his size. He has a basketball I.Q. that’s advanced well beyond most 17-year-olds, and couples that with the ability to see over defenders. He can pinpoint passes at different angles, and has proven himself to be someone who’s capable of running the show in international competition.
Bonga’s biggest concern is his jumper. He only hit 21.5 percent of his 3-pointers last season, and just kicked off the 2017-18 campaign with an 0-for-7 outing from range in his first game with Frankfurt’s junior team. He’s also an active, instinctual defender, but lacks the quickness and strength needed to thrive right away. It’ll take some time before we know where he’s best suited on that side of the ball.
His stock is based more on upside than results, but Bonga has the kind of physical tools and skill that — under the right system — could be special in the long run.
1. Michael Porter Jr., Missouri
Porter has been locked into the No. 1 debate all summer, and will continue to fight with Luka Doncic and Marvin Bagley III for those honors. After spurning Washington for Missouri in lieu of the former’s coaching change, Porter will likely enter next season as the focal point of a below-average college team — a situation that’s eerily similar to Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons, who came off the board first in the last two drafts.
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
At 6’10”, Porter has the physical tools needed to play either forward spot at the next level, with his offensive skill projecting favorably at the 4-spot once his frame fills out. As arguably the most polished wing scorer to enter the draft over the past few seasons, Porter is somebody who should be able to shoulder a heavy workload from day one.
With excellent mobility and ball control skills for his size, Porter thrives in isolation. He can get by slower defenders off the bounce, while his craftiness as a scorer allows him to create looks at all three levels. He’s an excellent finisher around the basket as well, showing nice touch on floaters and boasting the athleticism needed to finish above the rim. If he’s able to add some more physicality on drives, that should help him stave off some of the early struggles that traditionally come with being a rookie.
Kevin Durant comparisons are overblown — as they were with Brandon Ingram, and will be with any other wing put into that category — but Porter’s offensive repertoire is special nonetheless. If he’s able to improve his instincts as a passer and develop into a more well-rounded offensive weapon, he should be able to pressure the aforementioned Doncic and Bagley for their spots at the top of draft boards.
Next: 5 best prospects at shooting guard
He should be a versatile defensive prospect as well, making smart plays on the perimeter while holding some potential as a weakside shot blocker. The top three in this class — to put it lightly — is the most talented triad we’ve seen in quite some time.