Ranking the 10 best available small forwards in NBA free agency

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Mar 20, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) runs the offense against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Kelly Oubre Jr.

Kelly Oubre Jr. is often listed as a shooting guard but in the 2022-23 season, he played 64 percent of his minutes at the small forward position for the Charlotte Hornets. He averaged 20.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 32.3 minutes per game. While his shooting could be a little more consistent, especially from long-range, these are solid numbers.

Defensively, Oubre can also have an impact on a game. He ranked 8th in deflections per game among players who played meaningful minutes with 3.2. Besides, the Hornets used him to guard players such as Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Paul George quite a lot.

While Oubre does not necessarily fit the blueprint for the typical type of 3-and-D player many teams are looking for, he can still be a solid addition for any team looking to add some scoring to its roster. There has been some mutual interest expressed in his staying in Charlotte. Considering that there are not many scoring wings available in free agency, however, other teams might be willing to offer Oubre a notable raise and lure him away from the Hornets. A chance to play for a team that is not one of the worst ones in the NBA and have an impact there might also be attractive.