Don’t let the term “small forward” fool you about this position; players who play the three spot-on teams tend to be the most well-rounded. Whether attacking the basket, pulling up from mid-range, or launching it from deep, small forwards can be a nightmare for opposing teams. And that makes the position one of the most important in NBA 2K23.
Each of the top small forwards in the game has one thing in common: the ability to lead the offense. Point guards are typically the players who carry the ball upcourt and begin breaking down the defense to create opportunities for their team, but these exceptional small forwards can do that themselves.
9 Anthony Edwards - 86
Just barely legal to have a drink; Anthony Edwards is already one of the best young players in the league. Drafted first overall in 2020, Edwards hit the ground running in his rookie season, averaging nearly 20 points per game. Although his points per game only improved slightly, his shooting percentage improved drastically, as well as the number of assists and rebounds per game.
At first, Edwards was an average three-point shooter (B), but he’s improved his outside shot in his second year. If an opposing player’s able to back Edwards down in the post, they might get the better of him (C), but he can hold his own on the perimeter (B+). With only two years into his career and already rated this high, Edwards projects to possibly one day be one of the best overall players in the league.
8 Khris Middleton - 86
The main running mate opposite Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, was key to the Milwaukee Bucks overcoming a two games to nil deficit in the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns. Unfortunately, Middleton suffered a knee injury the following season in the playoffs, and the Bucks failed to defend their title.
As a two-way three-level scorer, Middleton has a wide range to score the basketball. He can confidently shoot three-pointers (B+), roam around the middle of the court (A-), and attack the basket (B+). Middleton has the size and quickness to defend under the basket (B) and near the perimeter (A). But what makes Middleton special is his basketball IQ (A+); he rarely makes mistakes and takes care of the basketball.
7 Paul George - 88
Paul George tried to contend with Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City, but the 32-year-old ultimately wished to play back home in California. In an attempt to usurp the more popular Lakers, the Clippers pulled a blockbuster deal for George and paired him with superstar Kawhi Leonard. However, the pair haven’t spent much time together on the court because of various injuries. The Clippers might finally make the NBA Finals if George and Leonard can stay healthy.
In his own right, George can lead a team himself. For the past three seasons in Los Angeles, George has averaged at least 21 points per game behind an all-around offensive game (A-). On the other end of the court, George has the defensive mindset and skillset to shut down opposing players in the interior (A-) and exterior (A+). Although he’s not a very good rebounder (C+), he ranks one of the highest on the Clippers.
6 DeMar DeRozan - 89
Much of DeMar DeRozan’s career consisted of getting eliminated from the playoffs at the hands of LeBron James. A fixture on the Toronto Raptors since 2009, DeRozan was shipped to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard, who managed to win a championship for Toronto. After spending three years with the Spurs, DeRozan teamed up with Zach LaVine in Chicago and experienced the best statistical season of his career.
Despite having another highly offensive player on the roster in LaVine, DeRozan was extraordinary from the field last season. He averaged a career-high in points per game (27.9) by primarily shooting with high efficiency from mid-range (A) and attacking the basket (A+). DeRozan can make three-pointers (B), but his bread and butter is anything within 16 feet of the hoop.
5 Jimmy Butler - 93
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It’s easy to forget that Jimmy Butler has been on four different teams. For a guy as talented as Butler, why can’t he stay in one place? His time in Chicago ended with disputes with the head coach, and Minnesota and Philadelphia didn’t work because of issues with other players. But now, with the Miami Heat, it seems Butler has found his home. Already with one NBA Finals appearance under his belt, he hopes to make his way back to win a ring for the Heat.
Throughout his career, Butler has never been a great three-point shooter (C-). Heck, he might’ve never been a good one. But in a tough situation, he can let one fly from deep. He’s most effective in driving to the hoop (A) and settling for mid-range jump shots (A-). Butler’s a tenacious defender on the perimeter (A+) and can also disrupt any inside action (B+).
4 Jayson Tatum - 93
For a guy who’s consistently improved year after year, Jayson Tatum receives more than his fair share of criticism. Mostly it’s due to playing on the Boston Celtics, but the former Duke player deserves his roses. Last year, Tatum finally broke through and reached the NBA Finals but lost to the Golden State Warriors.
Being an all-around threat means you’re a guaranteed bucket from anywhere on the court. Tatum didn’t average a career-high 26.9 points per game by just showing up; he has considerably high shooting marks inside (A), mid-range (A), and beyond the arc (A+). But opposing teams need to also account for Tatum’s suffocating defense on the perimeter (A+) and interior (B+) when trying to attack the small forward.
3 Kawhi Leonard - 94
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Over the past two seasons, the injury bug has taken quite the bite out of Kawhi Leonard. Since joining the Los Angeles Clippers, Leonard has suffered back-to-back major injuries, the latest being a torn ACL. The Clippers have lofty goals with Leonard and Paul George, but the former hasn’t been able to stay on the court.
When Leonard is healthy, he’s arguably the best player in the league. He’s an extremely efficient mid-range shooter (A+) while also having the ability to extend his range out to the three-point line (A-) and having the strength and speed to attack the basket (A). Among the top small forwards in the league, Leonard’s the only player to have won Defensive Player of the Year honors, making him formidable on both ends of the court.
2 Kevin Durant - 96
The past few months have been anything but uneventful for Kevin Durant. Shortly after the NBA Finals, Durant requested a trade out of Brooklyn, despite recently signing a four-year contract extension. Although there were numerous reports surrounding Durant not wanting to play for the Nets, he and the team’s front office came to a partnership and avoided a trade.
We might never see a player of Durant’s offensive stature again. He’s truly an all-around threat with perfect rating inside (A+), mid-range (A+), and beyond the arc (A+). Even at 33, Durant averaged nearly 30 points per game last season, good enough for the third-highest of his career. His legacy might get negatively viewed because of his decision to join the Golden State Warriors, but there’s no denying his remarkable offensive gifts.
1 LeBron James - 96
He’s not called “the King” for nothing. For nearly two decades, LeBron James has terrorized the NBA and has truly lived up to his “chosen one” anointing out of high school. Over the course of his career, James has won four championships and four MVPs and been named an All-Star in 18 out of his 19 seasons. James has regularly been compared to His Airness, Michael Jordan since he was drafted, and some think he might’ve surpassed the former Bulls player as the greatest of all time.
Whether or not you believe James is better than Jordan, you do have to respect his claim for the best small forward in the game. The 37-year-old is still a bulldozer on offense, fighting his way to the basket (A+). He’s developed a reliable three-point shot (B) in these later years of his career, expanding his overall offensive performance. It’s surprising that James was never awarded Defensive Player of the Year because the Lakers superstar is an incredible perimeter defender (A+). James’s all-around game on both ends of the court and his ability to defy Father Time for so long more than warrants him to sit atop the throne of small forwards.