Friday's Small Forward Value Rankings
Here are theScore's small forward value rankings for Friday's nine-game slate.
Value Rankings
PG | SG | SF | PF | C
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Trevor Ariza (HOU) | at OKC | 8 |
| Kevin Durant (OKC) | vs. HOU | 8 |
| Chandler Parsons (DAL) | vs. BKN | 8 |
| Gordon Hayward (UTA) | vs. MIN | 8 |
| Jae Crowder (BOS) | vs. ORL | 8 |
Ariza could continue his hot shooting if he's again deployed as a small-ball PF - he's knocked down 21 of 36 3-pointers over his last four games. On what easily looks like the highest-scoring game of the day, both the mid-priced Ariza and the costly Durant should return value.
Parsons has 23 or more points in four of five games. His price keeps rising as he's firmly past his early-season minutes restriction, and he's a viable contributor in every category except for blocks.
Best of the Rest
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Derrick Williams (NY) | vs. PHX | 7 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) | vs. MIA | 7 |
| LeBron James (CLE) | at DET | 7 |
| Justice Winslow (MIA) | at MIL | 7 |
| Aaron Gordon (ORL) | at BOS | 7 |
| P.J. Tucker (PHX) | at NY | 7 |
| Lance Thomas (NY) | vs. PHX | 6 |
| Nicolas Batum (CHA) | at POR | 6 |
| Luol Deng (MIA) | at MIL | 6 |
| Shabazz Muhammad (MIN) | at UTA | 6 |
| Tobias Harris (ORL) | at BOS | 6 |
| Joe Johnson (BKN) | at DAL | 6 |
| Paul Pierce (LAC) | vs. LAL | 5 |
Williams and Thomas' value is contingent on Carmelo Anthony (knee) sitting out a second straight game.
The "revenge game" narrative is in Batum's favor as the former Trail Blazer returns to Portland, but he's working his way back from a toe injury, and scored only six points in his first game back Wednesday.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Marcus Morris (DET) | vs. CLE | 5 |
| Carmelo Anthony (NY) | vs. PHX | 4 |
Morris has been up-and-down of late, and with a tough matchup against Cleveland, there are better options in his price range.
Anthony may sit out once again Friday if the team opts to play it safe with his ailing knee.