Unlike previous NBA eras, when the power forward essentially acted like a second center on the floor, their game has evolved into a much more perimeter-oriented style.
Gone are the days when you had to be at least 6 foot 9 to be considered for the power forward role. The new breed of players who play this spot in today’s game must be able to shoot the three, be a decent rebounder, and switch for multiple positions defensively.
This is arguably one of the most coveted positions in the modern game. Some of the best players in the league currently play this spot for their respective teams.
Who are the top power forwards in the NBA today?
30. Taylor Hendricks (Utah Jazz)
Hendricks was a revelation for the Jazz during his rookie year. Even though he missed half of the season due to injuries, expect him to step up his game now that he’s healthy for his sophomore campaign.
29. Dorian Finney-Smith (Brooklyn Nets)
Finney-Smith’s game has suffered a minor setback since arriving in Brooklyn, as the team currently lacks a floor general who can easily distribute the ball on offense. He does not need the ball in his hands to be effective at his role.
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28. Nikola Jovic (Miami Heat)
Coach Spoelstra sees something in Jovic’s game that’s easily hard to spot with the untrained eye. His numbers don’t pop up, but he is a very good complementary piece for a team with championship aspirations.
27. Caleb Martin (Philadelphia 76ers)
After years in a Heat uniform, Martin chased a bigger role(albeit for lesser money) during the offseason and signed with the Sixers. At just 6 feet 5 inches, Martin can play both forward spots on the floor and should become a good role player for this team for years to come.
26. Patrick Williams (Chicago Bulls)
It’s hard to fathom that Williams is now entering his 5th with the Bulls. The former 2020 lottery pick’s improvement has been rather slow. He’s good but not exceptionally great as an NBA power forward. Is there another ceiling to his game that he could reach?
25. Alex Sarr (Washington Wizards)
Even with Jonas Valanciunas on the roster, it’s quite surprising that the Wizards will opt to start Alex Sarr at the four rather than come off the bench in his rookie campaign. As a result, the Wizards now have two 7-footers in their starting lineup. Sarr could either be a boom or bust type of player.
Also Read: All 30 NBA Teams’ Active Mount Rushmore…Which 4 Players Made It For Your Favorite Team?
24. Jeremy Sochan (San Antonio Spurs)
It was really odd to see Sochan running the point for the Spurs last season. It was disastrous. Glad he’s back at the power forward spot for his once-proud NBA franchise.
23. Tobias Harris (Detroit Pistons)
Harris is back with the lowly Pistons again after failing to become an integral part of several contenders over the last half-decade. He now gets to shoot a ton for this young team without repercussions.
22. Rui Hachimura (Los Angeles Lakers)
At this point, this might be the peak for Hachimura as an NBA power forward. What he does is run the floor, cut to the basket, and shoot the ball whenever he’s open. Some of us aren’t meant to shine, but hey, at least he’s a superstar in his native Japan.
21. PJ Washington (Dallas Mavericks)
Washington’s game was a delightful surprise for Mavs fans in last season’s surprising Finals run. His defense and three-point shot drastically improved when he was thrust into a bigger role in Dallas.
20. Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors)
The biggest knock on Kuminga’s game is his basketball IQ, which often leads to frustration rather than being in awe at his raw talents. He’s super athletic and runs the floor well, but he consistently makes bad basketball decisions whenever he has the ball.
19. Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
With Dejounte Murray gone, Johnson now becomes the second offensive option for this Hawks team. His improvement was evident on the floor for Atlanta last season, and they are optimistic about what he could do in a bigger role moving forward.
18. Jabari Smith Jr. (Houston Rockets)
Smith Jr. drastically improved his shooting percentages from year one to year two. While he sometimes tends to shy away from contact and just settle for a jump shot, Smith Jr. is still extremely young, giving him a ton of time to further improve his game for this up-and-coming Rockets team.
17. Jerami Grant (Portland Trail Blazers)
You might think that this ranking is rather low for a talent like Grant. Perhaps you are right. However, despite having the green light to shoot the ball for the Blazers last season, the team went nowhere. There’s no doubt that he’s one of the best-scoring power forwards in the NBA today, but can he make an impact at winning?
16. Miles Bridges (Charlotte Hornets)
After sitting out for a year due to off-the-court issues, Bridges showed no rust and continued his scoring ways for the Hornets last season. He was asked to carry the offensive load for the team with LaMelo Ball out due to an injury. This should be a good year to gauge his potential as an NBA power forward.
15. Keegan Murray (Sacramento Kings)
Murray balled out for the Kings last season and showed everybody that he’s one of the best two-way players in the league. Kings fans are probably salivating at his potential as he enters year three.
14. OG Anunoby (New York Knicks)
We told you this would be a deep list. Anunoby is great at what he does: shooting the ball and pestering opposing teams with his defense. While he’ll inevitably have a reduced role for the Knicks with the arrival of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, we’re confident that coach Thibs will find a way to maximize his talents on the court.
13. Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors)
Some pundits are high on Barnes’ potential. Some even likened him to Scottie Pippen. That seems a far reach, but a quick look at his numbers would have you thinking that it’s not far-fetched. He’s undoubtedly Toronto’s franchise player today.
12. Aaron Gordon (Denver Nuggets)
Gordon had a down year for the Nuggets last season, which contributed to their shocking exit in the playoffs at the hands of the Timberwolves. His three-point percentage was abysmal, and he needs to get back to the drawing board to work on his mechanics. If he proves that he’s a viable threat on offense again, Denver would be dangerous this year.
11. Julius Randle (Minnesota Timberwolves)
This ranking is a bit low for an all-star like Randle, but after sitting out the Knicks’ playoff run due to a foot injury, the 11th spot seems fair. Now, with the Wolves, it is still a mystery to everybody on how he’ll fit alongside Rudy Gobert at the paint.
10. Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers)
In all honesty, we think Mobley is better suited as a center than as an NBA power forward. While his pairing with Jarrett Allen has worked and will continue to work for the Cavs for the regular season games, the playoffs are just a different animal. Both of their games are too similar, with none of them having an offensive game beyond fifteen feet. A bold prediction: if Allen gets traded, Mobley will become a top-five power forward in the league.
9. Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)
At just 6 foot 5, Williams is proving to everybody that you don’t need much height to become an effective NBA power forward. He can basically play all the positions on the floor except for the center spot. His growth as a player will largely determine the future of this young OKC squad.
8. Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)
When both Desmond Bane and Ja Morant were mostly out last season, Jackson Jr. had no choice but to carry the offensive load for the Grizzlies. He’s done an admirable job in that department, if we may add. The only flaw in his game is his tendency to fall in love with the three-point shot rather than taking the ball to the rack.
7. Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers)
We might get a ton of flak for ranking Leonard outside the top five, but the truth is, he needs to stay healthy to be effective on the court. While he’s still one of the league’s most talented players, all of that goes to naught if he can’t play. With another offseason injury to add to his name, it’s a mystery on how many games he’ll suit up this season.
6. Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
The same rule applies to Kawhi and Zion, and that’s staying healthy, which is the key to a better rank in this list. Even though Zion played 70 games last season, which was his personal high for any regular season games throughout his career, he still was not able to suit up in the playoffs due to an injury. Will this be the year for him? Perhaps it’s because he’s looked trimmed this offseason. But, sadly, his injury history tells us a different story.
5. Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers)
After being the forgotten man in Toronto, Siakam had a career resurrection when he was traded to the Pacers in the February trade deadline. His fit with this young squad was seamless, almost looking like a match made in heaven. With a full training camp under his belt with Tyrese Haliburton and company, expect him to have a bigger role for this team this season.
4. Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
Banchero looks like a star, and rightfully so. He’s arguably the main reason why the Magic made a surprising appearance in the playoffs last season. Gone are the days when fans of this franchise lamented that they are often overlooked when it comes to success. The all-star power forward wants to steer his club to greater heights this NBA season, and we are all for it.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Giannis was a behemoth last year, and there’s little doubt that he’ll slow down anytime soon. While he’s suffered some minor setbacks due to injuries, especially in the playoffs, it’s hard to question his talent whenever he’s healthy and dominating. Expect him to be on a redemption tour this year after the Bucks’ underwhelming 2023-2024 season.
2. Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns)
We’ll have to give props to KD for staying an effective scorer after the devastating ACL injury he had a few years ago. At 36 and still averaging 27 PPG, that’s some serious hooping! And playing 75 regular season games while staying at the top of his game? No doubt that KD has the talent to do a LeBron and continue all of this until he’s 40.
1. Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
Tatum’s scoring took a dip last season, but it really did not matter one bit, as the Celtics had the most talented roster across the league. His name is regularly mentioned in the MVP rankings, and he’ll continue to do so as he enters his basketball prime. After his odd tenure with the Olympic roster this past summer, we can all expect him to wreak havoc this season and prove to every single living organism on earth that he’s one of basketball’s finest players today.
