NBA Draft 2012: Highlighting the Top 5 Small Forwards Available

You need look no further than the 2012 NBA Finals to understand why there is an importance on the small forward position in the 2012 NBA draft.

The game's two biggest stars—Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and LeBron James of the Miami Heat—both play primarily at the 3.

Finding a player that can score—and most importantly—defend the position will be high on several team's wish list in the 2012 draft. 

With that said, the 2012 class has several players that appear to have NBA ready games. 

Below, we run down the five best small forwards in the 2012 NBA draft. There may not be a James or Durant in the mix, but these five should all go in the first round:

1. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky (6'8", 230 lbs)

If there is any prospect in this draft that has the athleticism and defensive skill set to handle the LeBron James and Kevin Durants of the NBA world, it is Kidd-Gilchrist. Few players in college basketball were as dominant a perimeter defender as Kidd-Gilchrist was his freshman season. 

He still needs to work on his offensive game—primarily perimeter shooting—but there is all-star potential in MKG. He will not last beyond the first three picks. 

2. Harrison Barnes, UNC (6'8", 225 lbs)

Barnes entered UNC as the the top freshman in 2010, with many penciling him in as the No. 1 pick once he decided to leave school. After two years in Chapel Hill, however, Barnes' stock has slipped slightly. 

Inconsistencies, especially on the defensive end, aided in the slip. 

However, few players in this draft can get their own shot as effortlessly as Barnes, and his shooting percentages went up across the board during his sophomore season. He is a good bet for picks 6-12, but there is a chance a team in the top four will fall in love. 

3. Royce White, Iowa State (6'8", 260 lbs)

White is one of the more underrated players in this entire draft, mostly because he has a skill set that very few possess even in the NBA game. 

At 6'8" and 260 pounds, White has the kind of necessary ball-handling skills to be a "point-forward" in the NBA. He is as comfortable on the blocks as he is running the offense from the top of the key. Those kind of players are hard to find in today's game. 

Some anxiety issues (fear of flying) have dropped his stock into the late first round. He is a steal anytime after No. 15 or so. 

4. Jeff Taylor, Vanderbilt (6'7", 212 lbs)

I'm higher on Taylor than most, but he has the kind of all-around game that should translate well to the NBA. 

A lanky 6'7", Taylor is an elite defender who can also get to the rim and finish near the basket. His shooting improved every year he stayed at Vanderbilt, too. 

He is not a franchise savior by any means, but Taylor can contribute right away for a good basketball team. At the end of the first, he is a safe choice. 

5. Moe Harkless, St. Johns (6'9", 207 lbs)

Whereas Taylor is a safer pick, Harkless is a high-risk, high-reward kind of selection. 

He is also the same kind of long, explosive wingman that you see all across the NBA landscape. While he can defend, rebound and jump with anyone in the NBA, his offensive game needs plenty of work.

There is all-star caliber potential in Harkless, but he needs to land in the right situation. He could easily go in the early 20s of the first round.