Ranking the top 5 small forwards in the Western Conference ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season

#3 Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans)

New Orleans Pelicans v Portland Trail Blazers

Ever since he moved from the LA Lakers to join the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019, Brandon Ingram seems to have come into his own. He has averaged 23.8 ppg in both his seasons at the Pelicans, but notched up a career-best 4.9 apg in 2020-21. His three-ball game has also seen an upswing, with Ingram shooting 38.6% from downtown in his two seasons at New Orleans compared to the 32.9% he shot with the Lakers. He also won the 2020 NBA Most Improved Player of the Year award after making the move to New Orleans.

With Zion Williamson also showing tremendous improvement in 2020-21, the expectation in New Orleans would be that Williamson and Ingram would combine to carry the team into the 2022 Playoffs. Besides setting that goal for team success, Ingram should also target making his debut All-Star appearance in 2022.

#2 Paul George (Los Angeles Clippers)

Los Angeles Clippers v Utah Jazz - Game One

Paul George will be a mainstay for the Los Angeles Clippers, with Kawhi Leonard expected to miss the bulk of the regular season. But that may not be such a bad thing since George really improved his game in Leonard’s absence in the 2021 postseason.

While George averaged 26.9 ppg and 9.6 rpg over the course of the 2021 NBA Playoffs, he averaged 29.6 ppg and 11.0 rpg in the eight games that Leonard was absent. He had a couple of monster outings in that phase, going for 37 points and 16 rebounds in Game 5 versus Utah and then putting up 41 points (career-high), 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals in Game 5 versus Phoenix. Sadly, the Clippers lost the series to the Suns, but George certainly came away from the playoffs improving his reputation as Playoff P.

#1 LeBron James (LA Lakers)

Los Angeles Lakers Media Day

At 36, LeBron James is no longer capable of the athleticism and speed that he was capable of in his early years in the league. But he is still a very good player. Good enough to lead the pack of small forwards in the Western Conference after spending 18 years in the NBA. Although injuries limited him to just 45 games last season, and his scoring average (25.0 ppg) dropped to its lowest since his second NBA season, he shot a super-efficient 51.3% from the field and averaged 7.7 rpg and 7.8 apg to go with it.

James will get some relief from ball-handling responsibilities with the addition of Russell Westbrook to the Lakers roster. His workload and minutes will still have t be managed. But if he can lead his team to another NBA championship in 2022, he will solidify his GOAT status even more.