A CBS Sports panel ranked the top 22 small forwards in the NBA heading into the 2022-23 regular season.
The panel includes Colin Ward-Henninger, Jack Maloney, Sam Quinn, Brad Botkin, James Herbert, Jasmyn Wimbish and Michael Kaskey-Blomain.
The Oklahoma City Thunder had one player listed: Lu Dort, who they categorize as a small forward for these rankings.
The top four small forwards are Kawhi Leonard, Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler and Paul George in that order.
Let’s take a look at where Dort, who signed a five-year, $87.5 million deal this offseason, is ranked and the reasoning behind his ranking as he enters his fourth season.
No. 20: Lu Dort
“We got to see Dort’s elite defensive prowess as a small forward during the 2020 playoffs, and the Thunder have since decided the postseason should take a temporary back seat to draft picks, so he’s been able to experiment with more of a primary offensive role. He isn’t the best shooter, but he plays the numbers game by hoisting nearly eight 3s per night and making two-and-a-half. Obviously, Dort’s main function on the court is defense, but he’s shown some offensive potential over the last couple of seasons that could be beneficial down the road. — Colin Ward-Henninger”
