NBA: Ranking all 30 starting small forwards for 2018-19

Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images /
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16. Bojan Bogdanovic, Indiana Pacers

For all the talk about Bojan Bogdanovic‘s struggles on defense, he looked passable enough once the playoffs rolled around, even going toe-to-toe with LeBron James in a memorable Game 3 victory where he posted 30 points on a scorching hot 11-of-15 shooting.

His value to the Indiana Pacers shouldn’t be judged by one playoff detonation, of course, but the floor-spacing he provided was instrumental for Victor Oladipo and the team’s offense last year. He shot 47.4 percent overall, including 40.2 percent from downtown, and with only one year left on his contract, he’s the perfect stopgap until Doug McDermott proves he’s ready to take over.

That day may actually come in 2018-19 if Bogdanovic can’t replicate his career high 14.3 points per game from last season, but for the time being, he should be pencilled in as the starter who’s found a great team fit in Indiana.