Los Angeles Lakers legend James Worthy has weighed in on his favorite small forwards in the NBA. The Hall of Famer named Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant and Dallas Mavericks veteran Klay Thompson as his top picks.
In an interview with NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Worthy praised Durant’s scoring ability and two-way play. “I’m a huge Kevin Durant fan. I don’t know whether he’s small or power [forward], I think he does both,” Worthy said. He emphasized Durant’s underrated presence in discussions about the league’s best players.
“We talk about Steph [Curry] and LeBron [James], but KD is—he’s an assassin. He can get it whenever he wants, and he’s good on both ends,” Worthy added. Durant, now 36, remains one of the NBA’s most dominant scorers, averaging 27.2 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this season.
Worthy also highlighted Thompson as one of his favorites, despite the 35-year-old being primarily known as a shooting guard. “Klay Thompson, he’s more of a two, but played a lot of small forward. Plays both ends of the court,” he said.
Thompson, who signed with the Mavericks in the offseason, has seen his production dip to 13.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. However, Worthy still values his defensive ability and versatility. “I like guys who can do it on both ends,” he said.
Worthy acknowledged that there are many talented small forwards in the league today but stood firm on his choices. His appreciation for two-way players aligns with his own style of play, as he was known for both scoring and defense during his time with the Lakers.
