Ranking the top small forwards in the NBA going into the 2024/25 season

With the NBA season officially underway in just a couple of weeks, let's take an early look at the NBA's top small forwards going into 2024/25 and how we think they rank in the competition.

Kuzma continues to grow as a primary scoring option in Washington, with a solid all-around game. He’s improved his consistency and playmaking, making him a more complete player than when he started his career.

Porter Jr. has the size and shooting ability to be a key player for Denver. When healthy, he’s an elite spot-up shooter and a capable secondary scorer behind Nikola Jokić, but injuries have hampered his overall impact.

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LaVine is one of the NBA’s most athletic wings and an explosive scorer. His ability to shoot from deep and create off the dribble makes him dangerous, though questions remain about his defensive consistency and how the Bulls maximize his offensive firepower.

Beal has struggled with injuries recently, but when healthy, he’s still one of the NBA’s premier scorers. His three-point shooting bounced back last season (43%), as documented by Basketball Reference and alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, he won’t need to carry the Suns offensively

Anunoby is one of the NBA’s top defenders, and his catch-and-shoot ability has only improved over the years. While not a shot-creator like others on this list, his defensive versatility and reliability make him an invaluable asset for the Knicks.

Wagner is a promising young forward who can score, defend, and playmake. His 19.7 points per game for Orlando last season, as documented by the NBA's official website, were impressive, though his shooting percentages dipped from deep. Still, his versatility on both ends of the court makes him a cornerstone for the Magic.

Williams has quickly developed into one of the league’s most versatile wings. He’s a strong defender and efficient scorer, averaging 19.1 points last season, according to Basketball Reference. His ability to complement Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been key for Oklahoma City, and he could be a breakout candidate this season

Ingram has all the tools to be an elite scorer, but his reluctance to shoot from deep and inconsistent role in New Orleans have held him back. He’s a fantastic playmaker and a smooth midrange scorer, but trade rumors persist as the Pelicans look to maximize his potential. A change of scenery might unlock even more of his talent.

Bane is known for his elite shooting, but he’s more than just a spot-up threat. His shot creation and playmaking took a big leap last season as he averaged a career-high 23.7 points. Bane’s ability to attack closeouts and move off the ball makes him essential to Memphis’ offense

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On raw talent and game changing ability, Jimmy Butler should be a little higher up. Unfortunately, his MCL battle last year has cast a little shadow of doubt around how much the 35-year-old will be able to do in 2025. Still, on his day, he is still one of the best people on the court when the stakes are high.

One of the most polished midrange scorers in NBA history, DeRozan thrives on getting to his spots. His ability to draw fouls and hit contested shots makes him a constant scoring threat. While there's a question mark around how he will fit with the Kings’ high-paced offense, DeRozan’s intelligence and shot creation will ensure he stays productive.

Markkanen is a rare talent — a 7-footer who shoots well from deep and finishes strong at the rim. His 25.3 points per game last season reflect his ability to score from anywhere on the floor, and he’s likely to remain the focal point of Utah’s offense for years to come. Critics, such as NBA writer Ryan Kostecka will back us up on that too.

Paul George is still one of the NBA’s top shooters and defenders, with his new move to Philadelphia giving him a fresh opportunity to prove his value alongside Joel Embiid. Despite battling injuries last season, George averaged over 22 points per game, and his ability to impact both ends of the floor makes him a key asset.

At 40, LeBron James is still an impossible benchmark in the NBA. After winning his third Olympic gold and maintaining All-NBA status, his shooting has seemingly only gotten better, hitting 41% from three last season. Though he can’t bring it every night defensively, his playmaking, leadership, and physical dominance are still unmatched when he’s locked in.

Fresh off a Finals MVP, Brown has developed into one of the league’s premier two-way players. He’s a capable scorer and defender who’s comfortable stepping up as the best player on any given night for Boston. At 28, he’s in his prime and his ability to create his own shot has reached new levels. We expect him to find a new level this season.

What did we get wrong? Let us know in the comments how you think it should be.

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