Gordon Hayward and Jimmy Butler can productively contribute at shooting guard and small forward, and their style of play has made them the best NBA swingmen for the 2015-16 season.
Considering that versatility is a critical part of strong backcourts, it’s the swingman who helps different lineups—small-ball or undersized, for example—react to a specific situation.
Some are superstars, some are specialists, but each one is an asset.
7. Kyle Korver, Atlanta Hawks
It might seem hard to believe, but Kyle Korver is entering his 13th NBA season. Last year, the marksman pinpointed a league-leading 49.2 percent of his three-point attempts. Korver netted 12.1 points, grabbed 4.1 rebounds and dished 2.6 assists per game, all of which were the second-best marks of his career.
Although the veteran has secured a home with the Hawks, Korver’s role changed over the summer. DeMarre Carroll signed a hefty deal with the Toronto Raptors, leaving a significant void on the defensive side of the court but removing an offensive threat, too. Nevertheless, Korver will continue thriving as a three-point specialist because of his insanely quick release.
6. Danny Green, San Antonio Spurs
What Korver lacks is above-average defensive skills. Danny Green, on the other hand, is one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders. Plus, he’s a lights-out shooter from long range. Green’s 100.5 defensive rating ranked 17th-best in the league, and the Spurs swingman buried 41.8 percent of his triples.
Green inked a four-year, $40 million contract in July, yet he’ll remain a tertiary—perhaps even a quaternary—scoring option in San Antonio alongside LaMarcus Aldridge, Kawhi Leonard, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. The biggest knock on Green is he’s a “system player,” but his three-and-D talent fills the role perfectly.
5. Tyreke Evans, New Orleans Pelicans
Thanks to Anthony Davis, New Orleans is on the verge of becoming a fixture in the postseason. Without Tyreke Evans, however, the Pelicans would’ve collapsed. He recorded 16.6 points and 6.6 assists per game, finishing with a 26.1 percent usage rate.
Evans is adept at running the pick-and-roll, so he can handle the primary ball-handling duties whenever necessary—like if point guard Jrue Holiday is injured. The seventh-year swingman doesn’t have great shooting range, but Evans atones for some of his limited offensive skill set with a rim-attacking mentality and superb vision as a passer.
4. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
Had Carroll not agreed to a deal with Toronto, then DeMar DeRozan would likely find himself considerably lower on the list. However, DeRozan will receive a Korver-like bump, since he was a definite top-four swingman last season.
DeRozan holds the potential to become an elite swingman. He’s already a strong defender who typically matches up with an opponent’s best scorer, and DeRozan’s metrics have suffered due to a collection of mediocre teammates on the defensive side. That should change positively with Carroll on the court.
With that being said, DeRozan connected on a career-worst 41.3 percent from the field last season, including a dismal 33.8 clip from outside the lane, per Vorped. If the 26-year-old can develop into a more efficient mid-range shooter—since that’s what he relies on the most—then Toronto will have itself a two-way superstar.
3. Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves
It likely won’t happen in 2015-16, but the Timberwolves will return to the playoffs. The franchise selected Karl-Anthony Towns with the No. 1 overall pick of the most recent draft, and the Kentucky product is joining Andrew Wiggins, who is the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year.
The 20-year-old has already proven he has a bright future, registering 16.9 points per outing while connecting on 43.7 percent of his total attempts—despite Minnesota lacking a scoring punch.
Now, Wiggins had lapses on defense, isn’t a premier off-ball offensive threat and isn’t a great passer. But again, he’s only 20 years old. He should make significant strides during his second season in the league.
2. Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz
As long as the swingman is playing for a Jazz team that doesn’t reach the postseason, Gordon Hayward probably won’t receive the recognition he deserves. Hayward took on a leading role in 2014-15, ending his fifth NBA season with a 26.2 usage rate and 19.3 points, adding 4.9 boards and 4.1 assists.
Most importantly, Hayward showed he’s capable of being Utah’s go-to player on offense. The Butler product can score from anywhere on the court, though Hayward’s prolific inside the arc and is a consistent mid-range shooter.
He could stand to become more aggressive on defense, especially since Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors are protecting the paint. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old Hayward is destined for superstardom in the near future, and he’ll likely arrive at that level before the average fan realizes it.
1. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
Jimmy Butler received the 2014-15 NBA Most Improved Player Award, yet the accolade was merely a sign of things to come. He earned his first career All-Star nod, torching the net for a career-best 20.0 points per game and racking up 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, a 122 offensive rating and 104 defensive clip.
Yes, Derrick Rose was available for 51 games, but his performance often negatively impacted the Bulls. However, Butler atoned for some of Rose’s overall mediocrity and carried what was otherwise a porous Chicago backcourt.
While Butler needs to improve his passing, the 26-year-old has no glaring weakness. He can create for himself, has range that extends beyond the arc and offers tight defense. Butler is already the NBA’s best swingman. Now, it’s a matter of Rose accepting that, too.