Banner Town Offseason Power Forward Rankings (2020-2021)
The writers at Banner Town have decided to come together and rank the best players in the NBA going into next season. With not much else going on in the world of basketball, this is the perfect time to go over last season and think about who the best players will be next year.
For this survey, we asked seven writers at Banner Town to submit their top 15 small forwards going into next year. Injured players were to be included (I.E. Blake Griffin, Draymond Green., etc.). Those rankings were then added up and divided by seven to get each player’s average rank, creating a fairly decided top ten list. A player who was not on one writer’s list would be denoted a score of 20 to be averaged with each other writer’s rank. Here are the results:
Others Receiving Votes: Aaron Gordon (12.14), Draymond Green (13.71), Marvin Bagley III (13.71), Blake Griffin (14.71), Davis Bertans (14.71), Julius Randle (15.71), Christian Wood (16.57), Paul Millsap (16.71), Brandon Clarke (17.14), Lauri Markkanen (17.86), Dario Saric (18), Jerami Grant (18.71), Larry Nance Jr. (19.29)
10. Kevin Love (Average Rank: 11.71)
Love just recently signed an extension to stay in Cleveland, but then spent the season throwing what seemed to be temper tantrums on the court. Regardless of his current situation, Love can still be a solid contributor to any NBA team he’s on. The league loves stretch fours, and Love even has the ability to play some minutes at the five. He’s always been an above average rebounder, and as implied, his consistency from deep is great. Whether or not he’s still in Cleveland next season, Love will be able to put up solid numbers and contribute to winning basketball games.
9. Tobias Harris (Average Rank: 11)
One of the more polarizing players in our rankings, as some thought he deserved to be as high as fifth, while others left him out of their top 15 completely. When Harris was traded from the Clippers to the Sixers he was playing All-Star level basketball. However, since signing his super-max extension he’s looked completely average. In this year’s playoff series against the Celtics he looked lost at times, and what surprised me the most was his complete inability to finish at the rim; even if they were just layups. He’s still a solid shooter, but is clearly not worth the money Philadelphia decided to pay him.
8. Danilo Gallinari (Average Rank: 10.43)
Gallinari is an amazing complimentary piece. He’s a pure scorer that can give any opponents buckets. He helped propel the Clippers to an eight seed last season, and when he was traded to OKC helped them get all the way to the five seed when most predicted they would miss the playoffs. Gallinari’s a 15-points-per-game machine and has shot over 40% from deep in each of the past two seasons. There are some rumors that the Thunder could look to move his contract this offseason, and wherever he goes will be getting someone who will immediately elevate their chances of winning a title.
7. Jaren Jackson Jr. (Average Rank: 7.57)
The young center out of Michigan State just finished up his second season in the league where he almost helped bring the Grizzlies to the eight seed. He and Ja Morant are a young duo that can age together beautifully. Jackson Jr.’s mix of amazing defense and spectacular shooting is a combination most teams are super envious of. He’s the exact prototype you want at your power forward slot, and the Grizzlies must feel great about their selection back in 2018. His jump shot may look odd, but you can’t argue with results. Jackson Jr. shot nearly 40% from deep while also averaging 1.6 blocks a night, and he’s still only getting better.
6. John Collins (Average Rank: 7)
Collins is extremely underrated, especially now that’s he’s playing second fiddle to Trae Young. He’s a 20 and 10 machine that can also shoot the ball efficiently from deep. At first glance, those numbers are reminiscent of a younger Kevin Love, which is something that any team would be lucky to have. He and Young are looking to propel Atlanta to the playoffs this year in an Eastern Conference that dips off in terms of elite talent after around the sixth seed. With Young already being a one time All-Star, and Collins having all the talent to be in the same position, I don’t see any reason they can’t do it. Collins could very well be an All-Star as soon as next season, and I expect big things to come for him.
5. Domantas Sabonis (Average Rank: 5.57)
Sabonis made his first All-Star appearance this past season for the Pacers, averaging around 18 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists a night. Unfortunately, he was unable to compete in the bubble due to injury, but that doesn’t take away from the amazing season he had. After being traded from Oklahoma City to Indiana in the Paul George trade, Sabonis really started to come into his own. Although he plays the power forward position, he rebounds like a center and throws out dimes like a guard. As he continues to improve I expect him to improve his scoring ability even more, and maybe even develop a jump shot. I can see him making plenty more All-Star appearances in his career.
4. Zion Williamson (Average Rank: 4.29)
In the few games we got to watch the number one pick this past season he was absolutely dominant. He may not be the tallest power forward out their, but his strength and huge build make him a beast in the paint. He can catch lobs and rebound at an astounding level already, and he’s only played in around 20 NBA games. He may not have the ability to stretch the floor, but the will to get better in that area is there, and he has shown flashes of a decent jump shot. I think I speak for everyone when I say we’re all excited to see what Williamson can do next season, and hope that he’ll finally be fully healthy.
3. Pascal Siakam (Average Rank: 4.14)
Although the season may not have ended the way Toronto wanted, Siakam had a great season. It was the first time he was fully treated as the first scoring option for the Raptors, and he did not waste that opportunity. He averaged around 23 points, seven rebounds, and three assists a night, while also being named a starter in the All-Star game and to the All-NBA Second Team. At only 26 years old, he’s an NBA champion, has made an All-Star team, an All-NBA team, and has all the potential to grow into an absolute superstar in the NBA. If he can get his jump shot to the point where he shoots above league average from deep, it will take his game to that next level. Big things are coming.
2. Anthony Davis (Average Rank: 1.71)
The race between number one and number two on this list was super close. In the end two of our writers had Davis at one, while the other five had him at two, so that’s where he ended up. Davis capped off his first season with the Lakers as an NBA champion, and in the post-game interview LeBron James said that this was Davis’ team now. While you may be hesitant to believe that statement, there were some people who thought Davis was the best player on the team all season. He was nearly named Defensive Player of the Year, some think he should have won, and is a constant threat to drop 30 and 10. Don’t be surprised to see him in MVP conversations next year, and every year after that.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Average Rank: 1.29)
Winning back-to-back MVP awards is something that cannot be taken lightly, let alone winning MVP and DPOY in the same season. The Bucks’ playoff run may have been a horrendous failure, but that shouldn’t take away from how special Antetokounmpo is. I mean, the guy is able to get to the rim at will, and can go from half court line to the basket in about four steps. He’s even working on developing his three-point shot, and was able to shoot above 30% this season. If that mark ever gets above 35%, which it definitely could, he will be even more unstoppable than he already is. If he can manage to get over the hump and win a few championships, no matter if it is in Milwaukee or elsewhere, he could easily go down as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
