In today’s positionless basketball, having a versatile small forward is essential for all NBA teams to succeed. Wing players, aka three-and-D guys, are a must-have in the league. If you take a closer look at the history of the game, the small forward position is quite littered with all-time greats and a plethora of role players who played their hearts and souls during their stints with their respective teams.
In today’s list, we will select All 30 NBA Team’s Small Forwards Mount Rushmore…Which four players made it for your team???
Which small forwards made the list for your NBA team?
Atlanta Hawks – Dominique Wilkins
Known as “The Human Highlight Film,” Wilkins was a nine-time All-Star and won the NBA scoring title in 1986.
Atlanta Hawks – Cliff Hagan
Hagan had five All-Star appearances for the St. Louis Hawks and played for them from 1956 to 1966.
Atlanta Hawks – Kyle Korver
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Korver alternated between the shooting guard and small forward position for the Hawks from 2012 to 2017. He was one of the best three-point shooters of his era.
Atlanta Hawks – Josh Smith
Hate him or love him, Hawks fans can’t deny that Josh Smith was one of the best things that ever happened to the franchise when he played for them from 2004 to 2013.
Boston Celtics – Larry Bird
Larry Bird was not only the best small forward in Celtics history but also one of the best players to ever play in the NBA, regardless of era.
Also Read: All 30 NBA Teams’ Point Guard Mount Rushmore: Which 4 Players Made It For Your Team?
Boston Celtics – Paul Pierce
“The Truth” was named a ten-time All-Star with the Celtics and was arguably their best player from 1998 to 2013.
Boston Celtics – John Havlicek
An NBA Finals MVP in 1974 and 13 All-Star appearances make Havlicek one of the best Celtics players to represent the famed NBA team.
Boston Celtics – Cedric Maxwell
From 1977 to 1985, Maxwell helped the Celtics win two NBA titles and was named the Finals MVP in 1981.
Brooklyn Nets – Richard Jefferson
While Jefferson came up short when it comes to personal accolades, his tenure with the team from 2001 to 2008 was very fruitful as they were perennial contenders in the league.
Brooklyn Nets – Keith Van Horn
The second overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft, Van Horn was very productive during his time with the Nets and helped them reach the NBA Finals in 2002.
Brooklyn Nets – Vince Carter
Carter often alternated as a shooting guard and a small forward for the Nets. He arguably had his best years as a pro for this often-overlooked NBA team.
Brooklyn Nets – Kevin Durant
Even though Durant’s time with the Nets was a full failure compared to success, there’s no denying that he did bring excitement to the team for a couple of seasons.
Charlotte Hornets – Glen Rice
Rice was named the All-Star game MVP in 1997. He was also one of the best players in the league while donning the Hornets jersey from 1995 to 1998.
Charlotte Hornets – Gerald Wallace
If you were a fan of the Hornets/Bobcats franchise in the 2000s, you know that athletic forward Gerald Wallace was often the franchise’s lone bright spot.
Charlotte Hornets – Jamal Mashburn
Mashburn was one of the deadliest scorers in the league during his time in Charlotte. He can score in a variety of ways and was a very good mid-range player.
Charlotte Hornets – Marvin Williams
While Williams did not become the star many anticipated him to be after the Hawks selected him as the second overall pick in 2005, he was a solid role player for the Hornets from 2014 to 2020.
Chicago Bulls – Scottie Pippen
Without Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan and the Bulls would never have won six titles in the ‘90s. Pippen is often considered the second most important player for this NBA team to this day.
Chicago Bulls – Tony Kukoc
Kukoc became one of the best sixth men in the league during his time with the Bulls from 1993 to 2000. At nearly 7 feet, he can shoot the ball with ease from anywhere on the court.
Chicago Bulls – Bob Love
Love was a three-time All-Star with the Bulls from 1968 to 1976. He scored and was also a pest defensively.
Chicago Bulls – Luol Deng
From 2004 to 2014, South Sudan’s Luol Deng was considered one of the best wing players in the league. He was an efficient scorer on the floor and also disrupted opposing teams with his length and defensive instincts.
Cleveland Cavaliers – LeBron James
LeBron, a two-time MVP and a one-time NBA champion with the Cavaliers is widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Campy Russell
An All-Star in 1979, Russell was a key player for the Cavaliers during the late 1970s. He played for them from 1975 to 1985.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Mike Mitchell
A consistent scorer for the Cavaliers, Mitchell was known for his offensive prowess during his tenure with the NBA team from 1979 to 1982.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Chris Mills
Mills was a solid shooter and defender for the Cavs in the mid-90s. He was unselfish as a player and was loved by his then-teammates.
Dallas Mavericks – Mark Aguirre
A two-time All-Star, Aguirre was one of the league’s top scorers during his time with the Mavericks.
Dallas Mavericks – Josh Howard
An All-Star in 2007, Howard was a key player for the Mavericks with his scoring and defensive abilities on the floor.
Dallas Mavericks – Shawn Marion
Marion was a key player in the Mavericks’ 2011 championship run. He was known for his defense and versatility as a player. His awkward yet effective jump shot also gets some praise here.
Dallas Mavericks – Michael Finley
A two-time All-Star, Finley was one of the Mavericks’ top scorers and leaders during his tenure with the beloved NBA team. He was also a freak of nature, as his athleticism was off the charts during his heyday.
Denver Nuggets – Alex English
An eight-time All-Star and the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, English was known for his smooth scoring ability on the court. Believe it or not, he was the best scorer in the entire league in the ‘80s era.
Denver Nuggets – Carmelo Anthony
Anthony led the Nuggets to multiple playoff appearances in the 2000s. He was often considered one of the best scorers the league has ever seen despite his shortcomings as a pro.
Denver Nuggets – Kiki Vandeweghe
A two-time All-Star, Vandeweghe was a prolific scorer for the Nuggets in the 1980s. He was not afraid to dive for loose balls when needed.
Denver Nuggets – Michael Porter Jr.
Although relatively young, MPJ was a huge part of the Nuggets’ surprising NBA Finals run and their championship win in the 2022-2023 NBA season.
Detroit Pistons – Grant Hill
Hill was one of the most versatile players in the league during his time with the Pistons. He was supposedly the next face of the league but injuries derailed his career while playing for different NBA teams.
Detroit Pistons – Tayshaun Prince
Known for his defensive skills and being a pest on the court due to his enormous wingspan, Prince was a key player in the Pistons’ 2004 championship run.
Detroit Pistons – Adrian Dantley
A prolific scorer and Hall of Famer, Dantley was a key player for the Pistons in the late 1980s.
Detroit Pistons – Mark Aguirre
A two-time NBA champion with the Pistons, Aguirre provided scoring and veteran leadership during their back-to-back championship run in 1989 and 1990.
Golden State Warriors – Rick Barry
Barry, an eight-time All-Star and the 1975 NBA Finals MVP, led the Warriors to their first championship in Golden State.
Golden State Warriors – Kevin Durant
A two-time NBA Finals MVP and two-time champion with the Warriors, Durant was a key player in the Dubs’ dynasty. In 2016, he was the prized free-agent signing of this proud NBA team.
Golden State Warriors – Chris Mullin
Mullin was known for his scoring and shooting ability during his time with the Warriors. It was certainly hard to stop him once he got going on the floor.
Golden State Warriors – Andre Iguodala
The surprising winner of the 2015 NBA Finals MVP, Iguodala was a key player in the Warriors’ championship runs with his defense and playmaking.
Houston Rockets – Tracy McGrady
McGrady was one of the league’s top players during his time with the Rockets. Had he stayed injury-free, perhaps he and Yao Ming could have delivered a championship for this beloved NBA team.
Houston Rockets – Trevor Ariza
Known for his defensive skills and three-point shooting, Ariza was a key player in the Rockets’ deep playoff runs in the 2010s era.
Houston Rockets – Rudy Tomjanovich
A five-time All-Star, Tomjanovich was a consistent scorer and leader for the Rockets. While he mostly played power forward, his best season with the team came when he slid to the small forward spot for a few seasons.
Houston Rockets – Robert Horry
Known as “Big Shot Rob,” Horry hit numerous clutch shots for the Rockets during their championship runs in the 1990s.
Indiana Pacers – Paul George
A four-time All-Star with the Pacers, George was known for his scoring and defensive abilities. He led the Pacers to multiple playoff appearances and was close to an NBA Finals berth in 2013 and 2014.
Indiana Pacers – Ron Artest
The 2004 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Artest was a key player for the Pacers with his defense and toughness. His role in the “Malice at the Palace” often tainted his legacy while playing for this basketball-crazy NBA team.
Indiana Pacers – Danny Granger
An All-Star in 2009, Granger was the Pacers’ leading scorer and a key player from 2005 to 2014.
Indiana Pacers – Chuck Person
Known as “The Rifleman,” Person was a prolific scorer for the Pacers and was named the 1987 NBA Rookie of the Year.
Los Angeles Clippers – Kawhi Leonard
Leonard has been the best player for the Clippers since 2019. However, injuries have continued to derail his contributions in recent years despite the Clippers having one of the best lineups in the NBA.
Los Angeles Clippers – Corey Maggette
A consistent scorer and leader for the Clippers in the 2000s, Maggette was known for his athleticism and scoring ability on the court.
Los Angeles Clippers – Lamar Odom
Before Odom blew up as a key figure in the Lakers’ title run in the late 2000s, he was a skinny yet exciting kid who flashed his potential as a pro as a member of the Clippers.
Los Angeles Clippers – Paul George
Like Leonard, George’s time with the Clippers was often derailed by injuries. When healthy, the 6 foot 9 combo forward has been one of the smoothest scorers in the league in the past decade.
Los Angeles Lakers – Elgin Baylor
One of the greatest small forwards in NBA history, Baylor was known for his scoring and rebounding as a member of the Lakers. He once averaged a mind-boggling 38ppg in a season.
Los Angeles Lakers – James Worthy
The 1988 NBA Finals MVP and a seven-time All-Star, Worthy was a key player in the Lakers’ Showtime era.
Los Angeles Lakers – Jamaal Wilkes
A three-time NBA champion with the Lakers, Wilkes was known for his smooth scoring ability and clutch play. Just don’t search for his awkward-looking shot, as you won’t ever unsee it.
Los Angeles Lakers – LeBron James
Arguably one of the best players to ever play the game, LeBron James carried the Lakers to an NBA title in 2020 in the midst of COVID-19.
Memphis Grizzlies – Rudy Gay
A consistent scorer and leader, Gay was known for his athleticism and scoring ability while playing for the Grizzlies during their ‘Grit-N-Grind’ era.
Memphis Grizzlies – Shane Battier
Battier was a key player for the Grizzlies during their playoff runs in the early to mid-2000s. He was a well-known player for his defensive skills and leadership with the then-young NBA team.
Memphis Grizzlies – Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Back when they were still called the Vancouver Grizzlies, Abdur-Rahim was often the lone bright spot for them from 1996 to 2001.
Memphis Grizzlies – Tayshaun Prince
A key veteran presence, Prince provided the Grizzlies with defense and leadership from 2012 to 2015.
Miami Heat – LeBron James
A two-time NBA champion with the Heat, LeBron led Miami to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2011 to 2014. He’s in contention as one of the best players to ever don a Miami Heat jersey.
Miami Heat – Jimmy Butler
Butler led the Heat to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023 and has been a multiple-time All-Star as a member of the Miami Heat.
Miami Heat – Glen Rice
From 1989 to 1995, Rice was the undisputed star in Miami. At 6 foot 8, he was equipped with a deadly jump shot from anywhere on the floor.
Miami Heat – Jamal Mashburn
Mashburn played for Miami from 1997 to 2000, earning an All-Star selection in 1998.
Milwaukee Bucks – Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis is a two-time MVP and became an NBA champion in 2021. The “Greek Freak” is one of the best players in the NBA today.
Milwaukee Bucks – Marques Johnson
Johnson was known for his scoring and rebounding abilities during his time with the Bucks from 1978 to 1984. He led this NBA team to multiple playoff appearances in the East in the early ‘80s.
Milwaukee Bucks – Glenn Robinson
An All-Star and key scorer, Robinson was known for his scoring ability and efficient mid-range jumper as a member of the team from 1995 to 2002.
Milwaukee Bucks – Khris Middleton
Middleton has been the Bucks’ second-best player behind Giannis Antetokounmpo for a decade now. He was instrumental in the team’s title run in the 2020-2021 NBA season.
Minnesota Timberwolves – Andrew Wiggins
The 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year, Wiggins was known for his scoring ability during his time with the Timberwolves from 2014 to 2020.
Minnesota Timberwolves – Sam Mitchell
Known for his leadership and scoring on the floor, Mitchell was a key player for the Timberwolves in their early years as a young NBA team.
Minnesota Timberwolves – Tony Campbell
Campbell was the Timberwolves’ leading scorer during their first few seasons in the league. He then spent three seasons as Minnesota’s leader and star player.
Minnesota Timberwolves – Wally Szczerbiak
Wally Sczcerbiak alternated between the team’s shooting guard and small forward from 1999 to 2006. He was a spot-on shooter from the mid-range and the three-point line.
New Orleans Pelicans – Brandon Ingram
Ingram has been a key player for the Pelicans in recent years with his scoring and versatility. As for his efforts, he finally became an All-Star for them in 2020.
New Orleans Pelicans – Peja Stojaković
Stojaković was a key player for the Hornets during their playoff runs in the latter part of the 2000s. He is often considered one of the most prolific three-point shooters the league has ever seen.
New Orleans Pelicans – Herbert Jones
Since being drafted by the Pelicans in 2021, Jones has slowly become one of the best one-on-one defenders in the league today.
New Orleans Pelicans – Trey Murphy III
The Pelicans definitely struck gold in the 2021 NBA draft class, as the team also acquired Trey Murphy III. He’s become one of the brightest three-and-D players in the NBA in recent years.
New York Knicks – Carmelo Anthony
One of the greatest scorers in Knicks history, Anthony led the team to multiple playoff appearances in the early to mid-2010s. He solely brought the buzz back to NY for a few years.
New York Knicks – Bernard King
A two-time All-Star with the Knicks, Bernard King was one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA during the ‘80s era.
New York Knicks – Bill Bradley
A key player in the Knicks’ championship teams in the early ‘70s, Bradley was known for his calm demeanor and leadership on the floor.
New York Knicks – Latrell Sprewell
A key player for the Knicks in the mid-90s until the early 2000s, Sprewell was known for his scoring and tenacity on the defensive end for this proud NBA team.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Kevin Durant
*On par with previous lists, we will separate OKC from the Sonics due to the latter’s unceremonious exit from the NBA in 2008.
A multiple-time scoring champion and the 2014 MVP, Durant led the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012. Had he not left OKC in 2016, perhaps he would have gone down as the best player this franchise has ever seen.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Paul George
George was known for his scoring and defensive abilities during his brief time with the Thunder. He was a huge part of the team, especially when Durant left them to seek greener pastures in the 2016 free agency.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Jalen Williams
Nobody on earth thought that Jalen Williams would become this good and this fast. He is currently part of OKC’s young core alongside MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Luguentz Dort
Dort is built like a tank and could essentially defend multiple positions on the floor as a member of the Thunder. He may not sniff any All-NBA Teams soon, but do not sleep on his potential to be named to an All-NBA Defensive team in the near future.
Orlando Magic – Hedo Türkoğlu
Türkoğlu was a key player in the Magic’s 2009 Finals run. The Turkish versatile forward played for Orlando from 2004 to 2013.
Orlando Magic – Dennis Scott
Scott was a key player for the Magic in the 1990s alongside a then-young Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway. He was a deadly shooter for them, especially in the three-point line.
Orlando Magic – Rashard Lewis
An All-Star and key player in the Dwight Howard-led era in Orlando, Lewis was known for his shooting as a member of this often-overlooked NBA team.
Orlando Magic – Franz Wagner
Although Wagner is a relatively young and new member of this Magic squad, Wagner has established himself as the present and future starting small forward alongside current team star, Paolo Banchero.
Philadelphia 76ers – Julius Erving
Dr. J led the 76ers to the 1983 NBA championship. He was one of the most exciting players who ever played in the NBA due to his high-flying act and insane athleticism on the court.
Philadelphia 76ers – Billy Cunningham
A four-time All-Star and Hall of Famer, Cunningham was known for his scoring and rebounding as a member of the Sixers in the ‘60s until the ‘70s.
Philadelphia 76ers – Andre Iguodala
Iguodala was an All-Star and a key player for the 76ers from 2004 to 2012. He was a very coachable player and well-respected by his peers.
Philadelphia 76ers – Kyle Korver
As a late second-round pick by the Sixers in 2003, Korver blossomed into a starter for this famed NBA franchise from 2003 to 2008 due to his shooting and solid defense on the court.
Phoenix Suns – Shawn Marion
Widely Known as “The Matrix,” Marion was a four-time All-Star for the Suns from 1999 to 2008. He’s also the proud owner of one of the weirdest-looking jump shots the NBA has ever seen.
Phoenix Suns – Walter Davis
Davis was a six-time All-Star with the Suns from 1977 to 1988. He was also a very good scorer, opening his rookie campaign with over 24 points per game.
Phoenix Suns – Cedric Ceballos
Ceballos played with the Suns a couple of times during his NBA career and was the team’s starting small forward during their 1993 NBA Finals appearance.
Phoenix Suns – Grant Hill
Hill had an extensive injury history before joining the Suns in 2007 and was past his prime, but he brought unwavering leadership to them, which eventually resulted in deep playoff runs.
Portland Trail Blazers – Jerome Kersey
Kersey was known for his scoring and rebounding at the forward spot and was a key player for the Trail Blazers in the 1980s and 1990s. He was tough and rugged but was well-respected by his peers around the league.
Portland Trail Blazers – Kiki Vandeweghe
Vandeweghe scored 20 points per game for the Blazers from 1984 to 1989, ranking second on the team behind superstar guard Clyde Drexler.
Portland Trail Blazers – Scottie Pippen
After Pippen’s stint with the Bulls and an ill-fated stop with the Rockets, Pippen found his way into Portland, where he became an integral part of their core from 1999 to 2003.
Portland Trail Blazers – Bonzi Wells
Originally part of the infamous “Jail Blazers,” Wells was a huge part of the team’s success from the late ‘90s until the mid-2000s.
Sacramento Kings – Peja Stojaković
Stojaković was a three-time All-Star and key player for the Kings from 1998 to 2006. He was arguably the best shooter in the 2000s era.
Sacramento Kings – Ron Artest
After being suspended for a year in 2004 for his role in “Malice at the Palace” as a member of the Pacers, Artest got a fresh start with the Kings from 2005 to 2008 and blossomed as a player.
Sacramento Kings – Corliss Williamson
Corliss Williamson was never a star, but he was an effective player for the Kings during his couple of tenures with the team from 1996 to 2007.
Sacramento Kings – Keegan Murray
Relatively new to this NBA team, Murray’s ascent from a three-and-D wing into a plausible future star with Sacramento is well-documented among league circles.
San Antonio Spurs – Kawhi Leonard
Spurs fans will probably hate this, but the unassuming Leonard will probably go down as one of the best small forwards who’s ever donned a San Antonio jersey. He’s won a Finals MVP in 2015, after all.
San Antonio Spurs – Bruce Bowen
Bowen was a key player in the Spurs’ championship teams in 2003, 2005, and 2007. While he was never known as a scorer, he was often tasked to defend the best offensive player of opposing teams on a nightly basis.
San Antonio Spurs – Sean Elliott
Elliott was a key player for the Spurs throughout the ‘90s. He was named to a couple of All-Star games and won a title with them in 1999.
San Antonio Spurs – Richard Jefferson
This was such an odd time for Jefferson as his numbers across the board were down compared to previous years, but he was the glue behind the team’s deep playoff runs from 2010 to 2012.
Toronto Raptors – Vince Carter
This was a no-brainer, as Carter solely put the Raptors on the map from 1998 to 2004. Known for his high-flying dunks, Carter was one of the most exciting players in Raptors history.
Toronto Raptors – Kawhi Leonard
It was only a one-year rental, but Leonard’s time with the Raptors ended with a title for the lone Canadian NBA team in 2019. He may have bolted to LA after their championship parade, but the 2019 Finals MVP will always have his legacy secured in Toronto.
Toronto Raptors – OG Anunoby
Anunoby was not a star, but he was one of the best two-way players for the Raptors from 2017 to 2022. He was also a clutch playoff performer for them for five seasons.
Toronto Raptors – Scottie Barnes
While Barnes is still a youngster, he is no doubt the face of this franchise as they venture into the unknown in the 2020s. He’s big and strong but still has a nice touch beyond the arc.
Utah Jazz – Adrian Dantley
A six-time All-Star and Hall of Famer, Dantley was known as one of the best scorers in the 1980s era. He truly lit the scoreboard while donning a Utah Jazz jersey.
Utah Jazz – Andrei Kirilenko
Kirilenko was an All-Star and a key player for the Jazz from 2001 to 2011. Fondly called “AK-47” by his teammates, the Russian star was a pest defensively on the court.
Utah Jazz – Gordon Hayward
Hayward never developed into a bonafide star after a standout career at Butler, but he was a respectable player for Utah from 2011 to 2017. He was the team’s primary scorer during his stint with the Jazz.
Utah Jazz – Bryon Russell
While we mostly remember Russell as the guy who Michael Jordan “pushed” during his iconic shot to win the 1998 NBA Finals, his tenure with the team is definitely more fruitful than that moment. He was one of the first three-and-D guys in the league, even before the term was coined back then.
Washington Wizards – Bernard King
Even though Bernard King was at the tail end of his NBA career by the time he played for this Washington team, he was still a lethal scorer nonetheless.
Washington Wizards – Antawn Jamison
Jamison was one of the most underrated forwards to ever play in the league. He has scored over 20,000 career points throughout his career. He played for the Wizards from 2004 to 2010.
Washington Wizards – Gus Johnson
Johnson alternated between both forward spots for the then-Baltimore Bullets from 1963 to 1972. He was a five-time All-Star as a member of this well-known NBA team.
Washington Wizards – Caron Butler
Butler had his best pro years with the Wizards. He was a two-time All-Star with the team and contributed to their reemergence as a franchise in the mid-2000s.
Also Read: All 30 NBA Teams’ Shooting Guard Mount Rushmore: Which 4 Players Made It For Your Team?
