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

26. Maurice Harkless, Portland Trail Blazers

A year ago, Maurice Harkless‘ outlook seemed bright. He was coming off a career year in which he averaged 10.0 points and 4.4 rebounds in 28.9 minutes per game, shot 50.3 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent of his triples, and started in 69 of his 77 appearances.

Then, last year happened. Even though his long range efficiency improved to 41.5 percent, his numbers shrank to 6.5 points and 2.7 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game and he only started in 37 of his 59 games. Due to injury and underperformance, Harkless lost head coach Terry Stotts’ faith in him as the team’s starting small forward.

Heading into 2018-19, the 25-year-old wing will be looking to rectify the situation for a Portland Trail Blazers squad that drastically fell short of expectations in the playoffs. He’s got to be a better option than Evan Turner … right?