NBA All-time Player Tiers: The 20 greatest small forwards ever, ranked

Tier 3: All-NBA level

10) Rick Barry
9) Kawhi Leonard
8) Dominique Wilkins
7) Scottie Pippen 

NBA legend Rick Barry was a dominant scorer during the 1960s and 1970s, though his NBA career was interrupted when he left the Golden State Warriors after two seasons. He was then banned by the NBA and spent four seasons in the ABA before returning to Golden State.

He dominated both leagues, averaging 30.5 points in the ABA and 23.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in the NBA over nine seasons, mostly without the benefit of the 3-point line. Had he spent his entire career in the NBA, he would be much higher on this list but is still an all-timer.

LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is arguably the most unique player on this list. Leonard is unlikely to play even 850 career games when his career is all said and done. Nevertheless, he's averaged an impressive 20 points and 6.4 rebounds. Kawhi has also won two championships, two NBA Finals MVPs, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, as well as six all-star and six all-NBA appearances. That is a strong resume that only a few players on this list can rival.

Had it not been for his multiple seasons spent playing abroad toward the end of his career, Dominque Wilkins would have joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and Karl Malone as the only players to score 30,000 points at the time. That gives you an idea of how prolific of a scorer Niq was, with him averaging 27.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game over an 11-year span.

Had it not been for Michael Jordan winning 10 scoring titles during the 1980s and 1990s, Wilkins would have won more than one. Nevertheless, his nine all-star and seven all-NBA team appearances and his iconic highlights make him one of the best small forwards ever.

Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen is widely considered the greatest defensive small forward in NBA history but was an incredibly well-rounded player. He racked up more than 18,000 points, 7,000 rebounds, 6,000 assists, and 2,000 steals, the only player in the NBA to do so. As a result, he was the ultimate wingman and paired with Michael Jordan to win six championships.