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Top 10 SFs In The NBA Today — Offseason Edition

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By @JosephMCrevier

Top 10 Small Forwards in the NBA Today — Offseason Edition

LeBron James
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In recent years, small forward has shaped up to be one of the most loaded positions in terms of elite talent. Despite containing some of the league's best players, there is substantial dropoff from top five to those who hold the 6-10 spots. With that said, each of the following small forwards are extremely talented and deserving of any recognition they receive. Here are the top 10 SFs headed into the 2014-15 NBA season.

10. Tyreke Evans

Tyreke Evans
Garrett Ellwood-Getty Images

10. Tyreke Evans

Tyreke Evans
Garrett Ellwood-Getty Images

Headed into his NBA career, Tyreke Evans had such high expectations planted on him that were nearly impossible to reach. To Evans' detriment, he posted almost exactly the same stat line as LeBron James did in his rookie season after scouts compared him to James while playing at Memphis. Evans may never live up to the LeBron James comparison, but he has made a name for himself, signing a $11 million annual contract last offseason.

9. Nicolas Batum

Nicolas Batum
Garrett Ellwood-Getty Images

9. Nicolas Batum

Nicolas Batum
Garrett Ellwood-Getty Images

Nicolas Batum has never been one to post eye-popping numbers, but he has been successful in making an impact each and every night by defending his position amongst the elite. Fans turned on Batum when the team matched a monster four-year, $46 million offer sheet in 2012. At the time, he was nowhere near as polished as he is today. Batum has proven to be capable of playing in big moments, exemplified by the 2014 playoffs.

8. Chandler Parsons

Chandler Parsons
Bill Baptist-Getty Images

8. Chandler Parsons

Chandler Parsons
Bill Baptist-Getty Images

Well, the Houston Rockets really whiffed on this guy. Chandler Parsons, who was a second-round draft pick, was offered a near-max contract by the Dallas Mavericks, which Houston declined to match. In this decision, Houston lost an outstanding young asset who has the potential to climb the rankings in the future.

7. Rudy Gay

Rudy Gay
Rocky Widner-Getty Images

7. Rudy Gay

Rudy Gay
Rocky Widner-Getty Images

Speak of salary overshadowing somebody's talent. These past couple of seasons have been rocky to say the least for Rudy Gay. He has been traded twice, but seems to have finally found a home with the Sacramento Kings. Gay excelled alongside his buddy DeMarcus Cousins as the duo played very well together in stretches. He returned to his old ways, posting up defenders while boosting his field goal percentage close to solid 50 percent.

6. Luol Deng

Luol Deng
Glenn James-Getty Images

6. Luol Deng

Luol Deng
Glenn James-Getty Images

Luol Deng has sort of fallen of the face of the earth after being traded from the Chicago Bulls to the once disheveled Cleveland Cavaliers. At the time, Cleveland was perhaps the most incompetent team in the league, which is obviously no longer true. However, Deng signed with Miami Heat this summer, somewhere that he will gain more exposure to display his elite defensive skills on the national stage once again.

5. Paul George

Paul George
Joe Robbins-Getty Images

5. Paul George

Paul George
Joe Robbins-Getty Images

First and foremost, this ranking is clearly for a healthy Paul George. Prior to his gruesome injury, George emerged as one of the best two-way players in the entire NBA. He consistently guards the opposing team's best player, and he is consistently responsible for carrying the load offensively. George is the Indiana Pacers' motor, which is mainly the reason why he will be so missed next season. Get well soon PG-13.

4. Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard
Andy Lyons-Getty Images

4. Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard
Andy Lyons-Getty Images

Not many players can say that they have been named the Finals MVP. Kawhi Leonard has accomplished this feat in just his third season in the league, against the mighty Miami Heat no less. Again, Leonard's numbers do not jump out at you, so to truly realize his impact on the game, you must really watch him carefully. The fact is that Leonard is going to be a superstar in this league, as he is learning from the best in Gregg Popovich.

3. Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony
Nathaniel S. Butler-Getty Images

3. Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony
Nathaniel S. Butler-Getty Images

Speaking of offensive beasts, Carmelo Anthony is nothing short of just that. After re-upping his contract with the New York Knicks, Anthony is in for one more rough season before the team has some useful flexibility. Until then, Anthony has to keep working to improve his defensive game. It is worth noting though that Anthony has slimmed down a ton, which will certainly help him in all aspects of the game. This is going to be a career season.

2. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant
Ronald Martinez-Getty Images

2. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant
Ronald Martinez-Getty Images

The most recent MVP and cold-blooded killer, Kevin Durant is already prepared to carry his Oklahoma City Thunder next season based on feedback from Team USA practices. Durant is apparently unstoppable even by elite defenders such as Paul George, for example. I'm not sure if Durant will repeat his 34 PPG again, but I can assure you that he will undoubtedly be in the conversation for back-to-back MVP awards.

1. LeBron James

LeBron James
David Liam Kyle-Getty Images

1. LeBron James

LeBron James
David Liam Kyle-Getty Images

Returning back to his roots, LeBron James will only be that much better next season as he attempts to bring a championship trophy back to the Cleveland Cavaliers for the first time. With the scoring pressure alleviated from James' shoulders, expect his assist and rebound numbers to skyrocket to a near triple-double. This will be a season fans will ever forget.

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