The Top 10 Small Forwards In The NBA For 2024
Continuing with the series, this article will highlight the small forwards. As usual, the article will begin with multiple honorable mentions, followed by the list. These are the top 10 small forwards in the NBA currently.
Honorable Mentions
Khris Middleton, MIL
OG Anunoby, NYK
Brandon Miller, CHA
Michael Porter Jr, DEN
RJ Barrett, TOR
10. Franz Wagner, ORL, Age: 22
Franz Wagner is improving parts of his game every year, which shows his excellent work ethic. Wagner's best part of his game is his ability to get to the rim, which is among the best in the entire NBA. He's struggled with consistency from the three-point line, but he clearly has the ability to improve his shot. The Orlando Magic are set up for great success with Wagner and Paolo Banchero leading the team.
Stats: 72 G, 19.7 Pts, 5.3 Reb, 3.7 Ast, 48.2% FG, 28.1% 3PT, 85.0% FT
Playoffs: 7 G, 18.9 Pts, 6.9 Reb, 4.4 Ast, 40.8% FG, 26.5% 3PT, 88.6% FT
Accolades: N/A
9. DeMar DeRozan, SAC, Age: 33
DeMar DeRozan has been an all-star-level player in the NBA for over a decade now, and with him being traded to Sacramento, it will be fun to see if he'll positively impact them. DeRozan is an excellent scorer, especially in the mid-range area. However, his poor playoff resume overshadows his positive accomplishments. He will have a chance to prove himself in the playoffs, assuming the Kings have a good record again this season.
Stats: 79 G, 24.0 Pts, 4.3 Reb, 5.3 Ast, 48.0% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 85.3% FT
Playoffs: N/A
Accolades: 6x All-Star, 3x All-NBA
8. Jalen Williams, OKC, Age: 23
Jalen Williams has proven to be one of the most important and impactful do-it-all players in the NBA. Williams can do everything on the floor. Last year, he played the power forward position despite being a traditional small forward. Now that Oklahoma City added Isaiah Hartenstein, it seems like Williams will transition back to his actual position and play the small forward.
Stats: 71 G, 19.1 Pts, 4.0 Reb, 4.5 Ast, 54.0% FG, 42.7% 3PT, 81.4% FT
Playoffs: 10 G, 18.7 Pts, 6.8 Reb, 5.4 Ast, 46.9% FG, 38.5% 3PT, 81.5% FT
Accolades: N/A
7. Mikal Bridges, NYK, Age: 27
Mikal Bridges was the missing piece to the "Nova Knicks." The Knicks are hungry for an NBA Championship, and Bridges is an excellent star to add to the starting lineup. Bridges is a great defender, which fits their team's reputation, and he's become a good shot-creator and overall scorer since starting his tenure in Brooklyn.
He is another reliable two-way player who will likely be the team's second-leading scorer behind Jalen Brunson. Bridges has also not missed a single game in his six-year NBA career.
Stats: 82 G, 19.6 Pts, 4.5 Reb, 3.6 Ast, 43.6% FG, 37.2% 3PT, 81.4% FT
Playoffs: N/A
Accolades: 1x All-Defense
6. Brandon Ingram, NOP, Age: 26
Brandon Ingram is a pure scorer. He's averaged just over 23 points per game for the last five seasons on great shooting percentages. His name has been heavily discussed in trade talks recently, and many teams are seeking his scoring.
Ingram struggled heavily in the playoffs this year but was dealing with an injury for multiple weeks toward the end of the year. Should he be traded, Ingram will instantly help any team he goes to.
Stats: 64 G, 20.8 Pts, 5.1 Reb, 5.7 Ast, 49.2% FG, 35.5% 3PT, 80.1% FT
Playoffs: 4 G, 14.3 Pts, 4.5 Reb, 3.3 Ast, 34.5% FG, 25.0% 3PT, 89.5% FT
Accolades: 1x All-Star, 2019-20 Most Improved
5. Paul George, PHI, Age: 34
Paul George joined the Philadelphia 76ers to be one-third of a dangerous trio with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. It's clear that George is past his prime but is still an all-star-level player. George won't have as much pressure as he's had in the past because he will get help from Maxey and Embiid. George is still a fluid scorer and a good defender, which is exactly what the 76ers need. The big question is how they will play in the playoffs.
Stats: 74 G, 22.6 Pts, 5.2 Reb, 3.5 Ast, 47.1% FG, 41.3% 3PT, 90.7% FT
Playoffs: 6 G, 19.5 Pts, 6.8 Reb, 4.8 Ast, 41.1% FG, 36.7% 3PT, 84.0% FT
Accolades: 9x All-Star, 6x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x STL Leader
4. Jaylen Brown, BOS, Age: 27
Jaylen Brown is coming off an excellent playoff run, during which he was awarded the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and the NBA Finals MVP. Brown is a great scorer alongside his duo partner Jayson Tatum, who work so well together on both ends of the floor. Brown scored the ball at a high level in the playoffs while playing stellar defense, including guarding Luka Dončić in the Finals. Brown may move up this list very quickly next season.
Stats: 70 G, 23.0 Pts, 5.5 Reb, 3.6 Ast, 49.9% FG, 35.4% 3PT, 70.3% FT
Playoffs: 19 G, 23.9 Pts, 5.9 Reb, 3.3 Ast, 51.6% FG, 32.7% 3PT, 66.0% FT
Accolades: 3x All-Star, 1x All-NBA, 1x NBA Champ, 1x ECF MVP, 1x Finals MVP
3. Jimmy Butler, MIA, Age: 34
Jimmy Butler would've been number two on this list if he was healthy for the playoffs. Butler always performs well in the playoffs, which is why he's been an elite player for several years. He's an efficient scorer and can still hold his own on defense.
Butler has reached the NBA Finals twice in the last five years but lost both times. His legacy would've been solidified if he had won at least one of them. Butler still has some basketball left in the tank, so he's still in the top three.
Stats: 60 G, 20.8 Pts, 5.3 Reb, 5.0 Ast, 49.9% FG, 41.4% 3PT, 85.8% FT
Playoffs: N/A
Accolades: 6x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, 5x All-Defense, 1x STL Leader, 1x ECF MVP
2. Kawhi Leonard, LAC, Age: 33
It looked like such a great season for Kawhi Leonard, as he played nearly 70 regular-season games but unfortunately got injured right before the playoffs. Leonard's injuries have been an ongoing problem, so it was great to see him play that many games. He returned for two playoff games, but he was injured. Leonard is still an elite three-level scorer and defender. So, barring any injury, Leonard should stay around this spot after next year.
Stats: 68 G, 23.7 Pts, 6.1 Reb, 3.6 Ast, 52.5% FG, 41.7% 3PT, 88.5% FT
Playoffs: 2 G, 12.0 Pts, 8.0 Reb, 2.0 Ast, 45.8% FG, 0% 3PT, 66.7% FT
Accolades: 6x All-Star, 6x All-NBA, 2x DPOY, 7x All-Defense, 1x STL Leader, 2x NBA Champ, 2x Finals MVP, NBA 75th Anniversary Team
1. LeBron James, LAL, Age: 39
To nobody's surprise, LeBron James is still among the best players in the NBA, even at 39. James is still a great inside scorer and passer and had the best three-point shooting season of his career. James and the Lakers will continue to be in the playoffs as long as they have him and Anthony Davis. James shows no signs of slowing down, and it seems like he has at least a few more years of elite play.
Stats: 71 G, 25.7 Pts, 7.3 Reb, 8.3 Ast, 54.0% FG, 41.0% 3PT, 75.0% FT
Playoffs: 5 G, 27.8 Pts, 6.8 Reb, 8.8 Ast, 56.6% FG, 38.5% 3PT, 73.9% FT
Accolades: 2003-04 ROTY, 4x MVP, 20x All-Star, 20x All-NBA, 1x Scoring Title, 1x AST Leader, 6x All-Defense, 4x NBA Champ, 4x Finals MVP, NBA 75th Anniversary Team
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