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

1. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors

Kawhi Leonard got close to challenging Kevin Durant for this spot back in his prime, and he actually had a better 2016-17 season than KD. However, considering his shaky health status and Durant’s immaculate fit with the Golden State Warriors, there is no small forward more dangerous in the NBA than Kevin Durant. That probably won’t change in 2018-19.

While people prattle on about his legacy being tarnished by joining this super-team, Durant continues to pile on accolades, including his second straight title and second straight Finals MVP award. He did so while averaging an eye-popping 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.3 blocks per game on .526/.409/.963 shooting splits in the championship round.

Sure, the amount of talent around him makes his job easier, but for our purposes of ranking the league’s best starting small forwards, that context matters. There’s no better partnership between a wing player and his team in the NBA right now, and it makes Durant the most dangerous 3 in the association.

Considering KD still posts unholy numbers and doubles as Golden State’s second-most versatile defender, he’s not just sitting around and coasting on his supporting cast’s talent. Durant has made the league unfair, but before anyone tries to minimize his value because of the team he plays for, remember that it’s his demi-god status that makes this partnership so unfair in the first place.