Ranking NBA Small Forwards in the Western Conference

14. Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves

Jaden McDaniels had a respectable rookie season with Minnesota, knocking down 36% of his shots from three and being serviceable on the defensive side of the ball. But so far this season, his shooting percentages have dipped. Fortunately, he won't be expected to carry a large offensive load playing next to Anthony Edwards and KAT. It remains to be seen whether he can be a fixture in the Timberwolves' long-term plans.

13. Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets

The second-year forward out of Ohio State is still just getting his feet wet in an NBA setting. However, he's shown solid capability as a defender so far in his career, frequently guarding multiple positions. He's also a terrific athlete. Jae'Sean Tate is certainly a guy who has a chance to be a solid long-term rotation piece in Houston. However, at this point, he simply hasn't done enough to earn placement over the majority of players on this list.

12. Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies

Returning to the Grizzlies' lineup from injury on November 10th, Dillon Brooks continues to provide a solid secondary scoring option for Memphis. His shot selection can be questionable, and it leads to some inefficient shooting nights. But what he lacks as a pure scorer, he makes up for as a tenacious defender.

11. Lu Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder

Luguentz Dort is known by many fans as a defensive specialist. He first gained attention on a national scale in the bubble, when he dropped 30 points in Game 7 of the first round while strapping up James Harden on the other end of the floor. His offense has taken a leap this year, as he's averaging a career-high in points while shooting 5% higher from the floor overall (42.7).