NBA: Ranking all 30 starting small forwards for 2017-18

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29. Dante Cunningham, New Orleans Pelicans

With Solomon Hill sidelined for 6-8 months by a torn hamstring, he’s still got at least four and a half months of recovery time to go. This is a crippling blow to an already weak supporting cast for the New Orleans Pelicans, particularly on the wing.

However, even after snagging Tony Allen in free agency, it appears as though Alvin Gentry is going to go with the 30-year-old Dante Cunningham in the starting spot, keeping the Grindfather in a bench role similar to the one he had with the Memphis Grizzlies the last few years.

In 2016-17, Cunningham put up a pedestrian 6.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, but he was at least efficient, shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from 3-point range. Cunningham will fill his role well enough, but for a Pellies team that desperately needs to make the playoffs this year, it’s less than optimal to be starting Dante Cunningham at small forward.