NBA small forward tier list: Where is Raptors star OG Anunoby?

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TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 09: OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles against Herbert Jones #5 of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

Toronto Raptors small forward OG Anunoby is entering yet another season as one of the most perpetually underrated players in the league. Despite excellent defense and an ever-improving offensive game, the rest of the league simply refuses to call him an elite forward.

Anunoby may have missed a good chunk of the season due to hip injuries, but he still managed to score 17.3 points per game. His defensive acumen helped him defend guards like Zach LaVine and bigs like Nikola Jokic within the span of just a few months.

Anunoby might finally break out if he can earn that enhanced offensive role Nick Nurse has been dangling in front of him for so long. Even as it stands right now, Anunoby has proven to be one of the best at his position in a league completely full of great small forwards.

Having already looked at the starting shooting guards and point guards, it’s time to start moving towards the small forwards. Will Anunoby find himself in the top ten after continuing to improve following his draft selection in 2017?

NBA shooting guard tier list: Where is Toronto Raptors SF OG Anunoby?

Tier 7: Replacement Level

30. Kyle Anderson, Minnesota Timberwolves

29. Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets

28. Will Barton, Washington Wizards

27. Dorian Finney-Smith, Dallas Mavericks

Anderson might be at the bottom of the list due to mediocre production, but the veteran swingman should be a nice addition to a Timberwolves team that just gutted their depth for Rudy Gobert. Even as age starts to sap him of some skill, Gordon remains quality as a shooter. He’ll get minutes in Houston.

Barton was traded to Washington, but the last half-decade in Denver adds further credence to the notion that he’s an effective microwave scorer who will be a massive help to the Wizards. Finney-Smith is a solid defender, even if he’s an uninspiring offensive player.

Tier 6: Serviceable, if uninspiring

26. PJ Tucker, Philadelphia 76ers

25. Josh Hart, Portland Trail Blazers

24. Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs

23. Chris Duarte, Indiana Pacers

22. Saddiq Bey, Detroit Pistons

21. Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat

Tucker is not the most prolific scorer, but championship contenders keep passing him around for a reason. Hart and Vassell started to show signs of breaking out last year, especially the former. Hart should be in for an uptick in shots now that Damian Lillard no longer has CJ McCollum.

Duarte will likely start over rookie Bennedict Mathurin as Indiana tries to get him back to the level he was at during his red-hot start as a rookie. While Bey could stand to be more efficient and Robinson is not super valuable when you take away his shooting, both of them have proven to be adequate starting wings.