When it comes to the Warriors’ small forward position, there are a lot of possibilities and few certainties.

Sometime after the All-Star break, Klay Thompson is expected to return from ACL surgery and log the majority of the minutes at the position. Until then, the Warriors are hoping someone will emerge from an intriguing group.

“It’s a different league these days. The small forward is arguably the most important spot on the floor,” head coach Steve Kerr said after Wednesday’s practice. “It’s hard to just buy a few minutes here and there. You really need guys to step forward and secure a starting spot.”

Some of the best players in the league are small forwards, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James. The Warriors counter with Alec Burks, Jacob Evans III, Alfonzo McKinnie and Glenn Robinson III.

Kerr plans to mix and match at the position during Saturday’s exhibition opener against the Lakers in hopes of getting a clearer picture of who will take the starting spot that Kevin Durant ruled for the past three seasons and the reserve role Andre Iguodala dominated since 2013.

McKinnie might have the inside track on the starting spot since the 6-foot-8, 215-pounder already knows the Warriors’ system after averaging 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 13.9 minutes in 72 games last year.

Thrown directly into the fire in his first full NBA season, McKinnie held his own against some of the best offensive players in the league and showed an elite skill in getting the Warriors extra possessions with offensive rebounds.

“I was just trying to get into the league last year. This year, I know the system and my role within the system,” said McKinnie, who says his family and friends text constantly about whether he’s about to become an NBA starter. “I played in the NBA Finals last year, and I’m coming back for a second year with the same organization, knowing how everything goes and knowing the culture of the organization.

“I know where I fit in. That’s progress, and it shows me that my character and how hard I’ve worked and how I’ve transformed and progressed each year are paying dividends.”

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Robinson was on a team with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green during Wednesday’s scrimmages. The sixth-year forward shot 39.3 percent from 3-point range from 2015-18, but he made only 18 of 62 (29%) last season in Detroit.

After two years of Green recruiting Robinson, he signed with the Warriors in July and went to work on learning a system that appears to fit his game. Robinson talked to Iguodala about his role this offseason and watched hours of video of the 2015 NBA Finals MVP, and he believes he can slash and make backdoor cuts and knock down open 3-pointers, just like he’s seen on tape.

“It just tells you he’s smart,” Kerr said of Robinson. “Glenn’s a pro. He’s been around. It doesn’t surprise me that he’s sought out ways to get better.”

Even during Wednesday’s practice, Robinson picked up a shooting tip from Curry. The game’s best shooter caught a skip pass in the corner, looked down to find the 3-point line and then missed the shot.

On his way back down the court, Curry told Robinson: “I don’t know what I was doing looking at the line. Wherever I’m at, I know it’s going in. Don’t second-guess it. Just shoot it.”

Curry also said he’s been impressed by Burks and Evans during the first two days of training camp, though the two might be considered the wild cards for the small forward job.

Burks is a proven scorer, having averaged 13.8 points per game from 2013-16 before being beset by injuries. At 6-6 and 214 pounds, though, he might not have the frame to defend the tight-end-size players currently logging minutes at the position.

After a summer of working to transition to point guard, Evans is also an option at small forward in his second season. Maybe it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise because Evans could project into having some of the similar point-forward responsibilities with which Iguodala starred.

“Every guy in that locker room is going to have an opportunity to help us succeed,” Curry said. “I know you don’t want that cheesy answer, but it’s literally more relevant than any other year where we’re doing it by committee and having guys take another step in their careers, solidify themselves as NBA players, young guys in the league, and just continuing to get better, collectively and individually.”

Rusty Simmons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rsimmons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Rusty_SFChron