Ranking Each NBA Team's Most Versatile Player

Versatility is something that every NBA player strives for. Whether it's the ability to play lockdown defense against multiple positions or score in multiple ways, versatility is necessary for success at basketball's highest level. 

Some players, though, are more versatile than others. 

Whether we're talking about LeBron James' ability to play power forward, small forward, shooting guard or even point guard or Josh Smith's ability to stuff a stat sheet until it's overflowing, these are the guys that stand out in this area. 

Read on for the most versatile player for each and every NBA team. 

Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith

Position: Power forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.6 blocks, 1.3 steals

The youngest player ever to reach 1,000 blocks in his career, Josh Smith is a menace on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. He can dunk with the best of them, play well with the ball and even thinks he can shoot jumpers. 

Boston Celtics: Jeff Green

Position: Forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 13.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.5 blocks, 0.7 steals

Jeff Green can capably play either forward position and is effective on both sides of the court. He's an athletic and skilled young player with many talents and will eventually prove worthy of the trade the Celtics made for him.

Charlotte Bobcats: Tyrus Thomas

Position: Power forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.6 blocks, 0.7 steals

Tyrus Thomas has never made a big mark in the NBA, but boy is he versatile. The insanely athletic forward is a blocking machine and can guard almost any position on the court. Personally, I think he deserves a lot more playing time. 

Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose

Position: Point guard

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 25.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 0.6 blocks, 1.0 steals

Derrick Rose's offensive game makes him vertical. There may not be a better dual threat in the NBA from the point guard position. The reigning MVP is a premier scorer but still quite capable of dishing the ball to his teammates proficiently.  

Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving

Position: Point guard

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: Played collegiately for the Duke Blue Devils

The Cleveland Cavaliers don't have too many stellar options for this slideshow. In fact, the best of the bunch has to be incoming rookie point guard Kyrie Irving. Irving, much like Rose on the slide before him, is a great scorer and distributor of the basketball from his position. 

Dallas Mavericks: Shawn Marion

Position: Small forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 12.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 blocks, 0.9 steals

When a guy is called "The Matrix" because of his athleticism and versatility, you know he belongs here. 

Denver Nuggets: Wilson Chandler

Position: Small forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 blocks, 0.7 steals

One of the few true swingmen currently playing in the NBA, Wilson Chandler is considered versatile mostly because of his ability to play a lot different positions on the court. He's a good scorer and a pretty decent defender. 

Detroit Pistons: Kyle Singler

Position: Small forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: Played collegiately for the Duke Blue Devils

Kyle Singler made it to the NBA because he hustles and is good at everything on the basketball court. Now that he's in the league, he won't start because he's not exactly great at anything. 

Golden State Warriors: Dorell Wright

Position: Small forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.8 blocks, 1.5 steals

During his breakout season, Dorell Wright made 2.4 three-pointers per game and put up quite a few highlight-reel-worthy alley-oops. His unique combination of skill and athleticism makes him truly versatile on the offensive end of the court. As for defense, well, this is Golden State Warriors we're talking about here. 

Houston Rockets: Terrence Williams

Position: Small forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 5.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.0 blocks, 0.4 steals

Terrence Williams might not contribute much to his team's cause (at least not yet), but the former Louisville Cardinal does leave his mark across the board when he helps out. The athletic swingman is capable of stuffing the stat sheet in small doses at this point in his still-young career. 

Indiana Pacers: Danny Granger

Position: Small forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 20.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.8 blocks, 1.1 steals

What can Danny Granger do well? A question with a shorter answer may be "What can't Danny Granger do well?" The Indiana Pacers star is a terrific three-point shooter and all-around offensive player who is fully capable of shutting down his man on defense. It seems like the only thing he can't do is get enough recognition.

Los Angeles Clippers: Blake Griffin

Position: Power forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.5 blocks, 0.8 steals

This might be a surprising choice to some, but Blake Griffin is most assuredly not a player who can only dunk. As great as he is at slamming the ball through the whole, Griffin's all-around game is improving quickly as he gains more experience. His post moves are getting much better, as is his jump shooting. It's scary to think of what he could become. 

Los Angeles Lakers: Lamar Odom

Position: Power forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 14.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.7 blocks, 0.6 steals

Lamar Odom is a sixth-man extraordinaire for the Los Angeles Lakers. When a center needs a break he can go in. The same is true for small forwards and power forwards alike. Then, when he's on the court, Odom does everything well. He's one of the most versatile players in the NBA, regardless of team affiliation. 

Memphis Grizzlies: Shane Battier

Position: Small forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 7.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 blocks, 0.8 steals

Shane Battier's longevity in the NBA is primarily due to his tremendous versatility. One of the most cerebral players in the game, Battier has a very balanced offensive game and couples that with terrific defensive play. He can guard multiple positions quite competently. 

Miami Heat: LeBron James

Position: Small forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 26.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 0.6 blocks, 1.6 steals

Is there any doubt about this one? LeBron James can guard anyone and can play everywhere on the offensive end of the court. Duh. 

Milwaukee Bucks: Stephen Jackson

Position: Shooting guard

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.4 blocks, 1.2 steals

With solid defensive play, great shooting ability and explosive athleticism, Stephen Jackson has not only been one of the most intimidating players in the NBA, but also one of the most versatile for quite some time now. At 32 years old though, his ability to maintain that title will soon start to slip away. 

Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Williams

Position: Small forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: Played collegiately for the Arizona Wildcats

Derrick Williams is one of the most efficient players coming into the NBA as a rookie this next season. He's also incredibly versatile on both ends of the court as his athleticism enables him to basically play any position between shooting guard and power forward. 

New Jersey Nets: Deron Williams

Position: Point guard

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 20.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 10.3 assists, 0.2 blocks, 1.2 steals

While his tremendous size for a point guard allows him to be a good defender, Deron Williams' unbelievable skill on offense allows him to be a premier distributor and still score at will. He's a true dual threat at the point guard position. 

New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul

Position: Point guard

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 15.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 9.8 assists, 0.1 blocks, 2.4 steals

One of the best defensive point guards in the game, Chris Paul is also one of the best ball distributors in NBA history. That said, he's still a fantastic scorer thanks to his shooting and slashing abilities. CP3 is tremendously versatile in all facets of the game. 

New York Knicks: Amar'e Stoudemire

Position: Power forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 blocks, 0.9 steals

Amar'e Stoudemire has so many ways to score that it's not even fair. Stat can slam it home with the best of them but he also has soft touch with his jump shot and a veritable arsenal of post moves to befuddle his defender with. 

Oklahoma City Thunder: Russell Westbrook

Position: Point guard

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 21.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 0.4 blocks, 1.9 assists

A good defender, Russell Westbrook is much more well known for his offensive abilities. He's an unbelievable rebounder for a guard thanks to his high-flying ways and he can both help teammates score and light up the scoreboard himself. 

Orlando Magic: Hedo Turkoglu

Position: Small forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 10.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.4 blocks, 0.9 steals

A playmaking forward (clearly on the decline though), Hedo Turkoglu is still capable of doing what he once did, just at a much lesser pace. He can score, rebound, pass and defend quite well for the Orlando Magic. 

Philadelphia 76ers: Andre Iguodala

Position: Shooting guard

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 14.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 0.6 blocks, 1.5 steals 

Andre Iguodala is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league but he's also a terrific all-around option on offense. While he really shouldn't be the first option in any offense, Iggy is explosive and skilled at the same time. He's one of the few players that seems capable of putting up triple-doubles. 

Phoenix Suns: Channing Frye

Position: Center

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 blocks, 0.6 steals

Channing Frye is a center and he averaged 2.2 three-pointers made per game last season. Moving on now. 

Portland Trail Blazers: Gerald Wallace

Position: Small forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 15.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.9 blocks, 1.5 steals

Another player well known for his versatility, Gerald Wallace is one of those guys who is fully capable of filling up the stat sheet across the board. He's a great scorer, rebounds the ball terrifically and still manages to contribute in other ways. He's fun to watch and should be great in his first full season with the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans

Position: Point guard

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 17.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.5 blocks, 1.5 steals

Two years ago, as a rookie, Tyreke Evans became the fourth player in NBA history to average over 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game in his first season. The other three—Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson and LeBron James—are all considered pretty versatile. 

San Antonio Spurs: Manu Ginobili

Position: Shooting guard

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 17.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.4 blocks, 1.5 steals

Let's take a look at Manu Ginobili's skills: awkward plays around the basket, scoring, energy boosts off the bench, rebounding, defense, passing and flopping. I think that qualifies as versatile. 

Toronto Raptors: DeMar DeRozan

Position: Shooting guard

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.4 blocks, 1.0 steals

DeMar DeRozan may be considered a bit of a one-trick pony right now because all he can do is score, but his versatility in that area is stellar. His athleticism allows him to make plays around the rim and his jump shooting is quite good as well. 

Utah Jazz: Andrei Kirilenko

Position: Small forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1.3 steals

Andrei Kirilenko is another guy who's only made it in the league this long because he does everything well. AK47 is one of my favorite guys to own in fantasy basketball because he contributes across the board. He's an efficient player who racks up the counting stats on defense while still making versatile contributions on offense. 

Washington Wizards: Chris Singleton

Position: Small forward

2010-2011 Per-Game Stats: Played collegiately for the Florida State Seminoles

Chris Singleton is a Ron Artest-like (sorry, Metta World Peace-like) defensive stopper capable of shutting down anyone he faces. He was the best defensive player in this year's draft class, bar none. But most people overlook the fact that Singleton is a good offensive player too despite the fact that he averaged 13.8 points per game during his final season at Florida State. 

Adam Fromal is a syndicated writer and Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.

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