The small forward position is absolutely loaded.
The most important position in the NBA is packed with stars, with every flavor of scorer and playmaker and defender. With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown split apart, and new risers stepping up into the mix, ranking the position is as intriguing as ever.
Deciding who to include in this list was not easy; many players who start at power forward for their teams would be best cast at small forward, but the depth at SF compared to a lack of depth at PF spreads them out. Some decisions were made: Deni Avdija, Jalen Johnson, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Cooper Flagg are included in this list, while Scottie Barnes and Lauri Markkanen will show up in the power forward discussion.
In our point guard and shooting guard rankings we listed just five, but the talent at small forward is too great. Here is a quick rundown of the Top 10 small forwards in the entire NBA right now.
No. 10: Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
Deni Avdija has become one of the very best players in the league at penetrating into the paint and inviting contact – contact that he often finishes through, and that nearly always places him at the line. He has grown as a passer and as a shooter, and he is a solid defender at his position. Continuing his breakout season into the playoffs speaks volumes that his level-up was real.
No. 9: Jaylen Brown, Philadelphia 76ers
Perhaps surprisingly low to some readers, Jaylen Brown’s placement on this list speaks equally of the weaknesses in his game and of the strength of the small forward position. He is a good but overrated defender, and on offense he is a relatively inefficient scorer who can elevate an offense’s floor to a solid level. He is a really good player – he also doesn’t drive winning as much as his stats suggest.
No. 8: Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
Both Brown and Jalen Williams have demonstrated that they can be the No. 2 offensive weapon on a championship team, and both are gifted scorers who invite contact. Where they differ is that Williams is an All-Defense level of player, so he edges out Brown. If he has lost a step due to an injury-riddled season last year, he could fall back on this list as well.
No. 7: Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks found a steal in Jalen Johnson, who has blossomed into one of the league’s best passers and an absolute monster in transition. In particular, his size on the perimeter opens up passing angles to set his teammates up either for attempts at the rim or wide-open 3-pointers. Add in elite rebounding, and you get an extremely valuable player, even if his shooting and individual defense are merely average.
No. 6: OG Anunoby, New York Knicks
The player on this list who “doesn’t belong” is OG Anunoby, who doesn’t do any of the shot creation or playmaking things that usually indicate a star. The reason he is ranked so highly on this list is that he is truly elite at the things he does do, and he just proved himself as the second-best player on a title team. His defense is smothering, both individually and on the team level, and he brings rebounding, shooting and finishing along as well.
No. 5: Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
This list makes two major assumptions: that LeBron James will not suddenly drop off at age 41, and that Cooper Flagg will start the season at a level even higher than he ended last year. Flagg is good at everything but sniping 3-pointers; he scores on the ball, sets up teammates, rebounds the ball, finishes through contact, draws fouls, flies around the court defensively and injects energy and competitiveness into his teammates. He is a superstar ascending before our eyes.
No. 4: LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers
LeBron James may have committed to playing in an environment that will not maximize his skillset, but even well into his fifth decade, he continues to impact the game at a high level. He remains a phenomenal passer, a strong finisher at the rim (especially in transition), has grown as a shooter and occasionally flashes elite cutting ability. His defense can ramp up but sits in a low gear most of the time, but he is still a wildly impactful player.
No. 3: Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
Somehow, in the midst of team disappointment and firing back on social media, Kevin Durant has become underrated. He remains an elite offensive threat, shooting accurately and at high volume while also bringing shot creation and playmaking. He is one of the most efficient players in the league and showed that last season even on a spacing-starved Houston team. He remains a solid defender as well and is still a Top-20 player in the league overall.
No. 2: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Pre-injury Jayson Tatum was the 5th or 6th-best player in the NBA. Can post-injury Tatum reclaim that spot? This ranking is something of a hedge, but it is very likely that Tatum will be a wildly impactful two-way player this season. He is one of the best team defenders in the league with his rotation and length, and on offense he is a high-volume shooter and playmaker who can be the offensive engine even at his size.
No. 1: Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors
If Tatum’s caveat is his return from serious injury, then Kawhi Leonard’s is his ability to avoid a serious injury. When he was on the court last season, Leonard was unstoppable, a two-way force and one of the five best players in the league. As he ages and in a new location, the potential for a drop-off in his level of play is real. If he can maintain, however, he is a hyper-efficient shooter from all levels, a solid rebounder and a great defender. Good luck slowing him down.
Honorable Mentions 11-15 (in alphabetical order): Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors; Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves; Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans; Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic; Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets