NBA Position Rankings: Top 10 Small Forwards for 2017

2. Kevin Durant, Golden State

It does not matter how anyone feels about Kevin Durant leaving Oklahoma City to play for the Golden State Warriors. He chased a title and will have to integrate himself into a very established and strong team.

Durant though is more than capable of doing that. And the Warriors will integrate Durant just fine.

Durant is still a tremendous talent. He was brilliant in the latter rounds of the Olympics once he took over and became the primary player once again. Durant will pick his spots now just like he did at the Olympics. But he cannot recede to the background.

Durant remains at his best when he is aggressive and becomes the scorer everyone knows he is. He is still perhaps the best pure scorer in the league.

His points per game will surely decrease from his 28.2 points per game last year. But he should still put up solid numbers. And he can do a lot more.

Durant is a better defender than most give him credit for. Without the scoring burden on him, he should be unleashed in some new ways.

Ultimately though, his scoring makes him unique and will keep him relevant and transform the Warriors even more than they already were last year.

Hate the decision all you want, Durant’s talent is undeniable.

Next: The champ