After breaking down the best NBA players in 2023-24 at the point guard, shooting guard, and small forward positions by tiers, we have arrived at one of the most talented, and controversial positions in 2023-24, the power forward. As the NBA continues down the path of positionless basketball, the line between players being considered small or power forwards has become even more blurry.
Take Paul George for example. Nobody who watches the Clippers will consider George a power forward yet following the criteria for all of our positional tiers thus far, Basketball Reference, he is listed as a power forward this season. The same can be said for stars like Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum, who are naturally small forwards but have also been listed as power forwards for the last few seasons.Â
*Players are based as listed on Basketball Reference*
Tier 1 (Kings)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant
The top three power forwards for the 2023-24 season are locked into their spot atop the rankings. Giannis Antetokounmpo is no stranger to this spot, having been the top power forward in the game since 2019. In 2023-24, Antetokounmpo is having another MVP-esque season with 30.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game on 61.9% shooting. He has led the Bucks to a 41-21 record through 62 games and second in the Eastern Conference.
The team Milwaukee, and everyone else in the NBA, is chasing right now is the Boston Celtics led by their star power forward, Jayson Tatum. Although somewhat underrated, Tatum has led Boston to an NBA-best 48-12 record through 60 games in what has been a dominant season for the team. Tatum has played 57 of those 60 games and is averaging 27.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game on 48/37/83 shooting splits.
The final top-tier member of the 2023-24 power forward class is Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns. Even as he ages, Durant’s game remains unstoppable with the 6’11’’ scoring savant averaging 27.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game. After a slow start, Durant has helped the Suns find their stride at 35-26 currently and seventh in the Western Conference. They are just one game behind the fifth seed and five games out of the fourth seed.
Tier 2 (All-Stars)
Paul George, Paolo Banchero, Karl-Anthony Towns, Lauri Markkanen, Julius Randle, Pascal Siakam, Jalen Williams, Zion Williamson
There are a few players who may look out of place in Tier 2 for power forwards but probably none more than Clippers star Paul George. George is typically a wing when on either end for the Clippers. His play this season has helped the Clippers elevate themselves to the levels of legitimate title contenders once again. Even with some struggles lately, George is averaging 22.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, earning his third All-Star selection in four years and leading his team to a 39-21 record, good for fourth in the West right now.
Paolo Banchero has had a monster season to follow up his 2023 Rookie of the Year campaign with the Orlando Magic. Banchero earned his first career All-Star appearance this season, averaging 22.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game on 46.1% shooting. His efficiency from three-point range has also improved drastically from 29.8% last season to 36.0% this season. Establishing himself as the future of the Magic franchise, Banchero has the Magic at 35-26 this season and sixth in the playoff standings.
Karl-Anthony Towns made the transition from center to power forward with the arrival of Rudy Gobert in 2022-23. After an injury-riddled 2023 season, Towns has bounced back with a clear adaptation to the position which has in turn had a tremendous impact on his team. Towns earned his fourth career All-Star appearance this season, averaging 22.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game on 50.6% shooting overall and 42.3% from three. Towns and the Timberwolves currently hold a 43-19 record, good for first in the Western Conference through 61 games.
After capturing the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in 2022-23, Lauri Markkanen has continued to be one of the NBA’s top power forwards in 2023-24. Markkanen, who is now in his second season in Utah, is averaging 23.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 48.3% overall and 40.3% from three. Markkanen’s play has done little to elevate the rest of the Jazz as they have struggled with a 27-34 record, 5.5 games out of the final Play-In spot.
Until a shoulder injury halted his season on January 29, Julius Randle was having yet another All-Star season with the New York Knicks. Randle had seemingly turned off the outside noise and got to work through 49 games in 2023-24, averaging 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. Before the injury, the Knicks were skyrocketing to the top of the Eastern Conference. Since the injury to Randle, and others, they have fallen to 36-25 and fourth in the East. With his return expected later this month, Randle will undoubtedly help the Knicks on their playoff push and beyond.
Pascal Siakam began the 2023-24 season just as he had the previous six seasons, as the star power forward of the Toronto Raptors. After another losing season seemed inevitable, Siakam was moved to the Indiana Pacers in mid-January. With the Pacers for 21 games so far, Siakam is averaging 20.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game on 56.0% shooting. The Pacers are currently 34-28, eighth in the East, and two games back of fifth.
Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder is another young star on the rise during the 2023-24 season. Williams has emerged as a legitimate second option next to MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2023-24, averaging 19.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game on 54.0% shooting. Williams’ two-way play has helped the Thunder emerge as one of the NBA’s most exciting young teams who have recorded a 42-19 record through 60 games and hold the West’s second spot in the standings.
The final member of Tier 2 for power forwards this season is Zion Williamson. All jokes aside, Williamson has done everything that fans and media members have been clamoring for him to do for the last four seasons. He has played in 50 of New Orleans’ 61 games and is averaging 22.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game on 57.5% shooting. He is healthier and more invested than ever before which has rubbed off on a Pelicans team that is currently 36-25, barely holding onto the fifth seed in the West.
Tier 3 (Exceptional)
Aaron Gordon, Evan Mobley, Jaren Jackson Jr., Kyle Kuzma, Draymond Green, Tobias Harris
Tier 3 marks the six NBA power forwards who have been labeled exceptional but just shy of All-Star level. No player embodies this description more than Aaron Gordon of the Denver Nuggets. What he provides as a slasher and cutter on offense as well as the defensive effort he gives on a nightly basis is undeniably impactful for the reigning NBA champions. Through 55 games, Gordon is averaging 14.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game for the 42-19 Nuggets who look to be on track for another title run in 2023-24.
Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers has had a tumultuous 2023-24 season, playing just 37 games so far. Still, his defensive impact has been as great as ever in his third season with the Cavaliers. Mobley is averaging 15.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game on 58.5% shooting. The Cavaliers have been one of the NBA’s most surprising teams in 2023-24 with a 39-21 record, good for third in the East.
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. also finds himself on Tier 3 for the 2023-24 season. Jackson has been much better offensively with 22.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game on 44.6% shooting. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies have been dealt a rough hand with injuries this season and it has cost them dearly. They are currently 20-41 on the season already looking ahead to 2024-25.
Kyle Kuzma is having another fantastic individual season while the Washington Wizards find themselves competing for the No. 1 overall pick. Through 59 games, Kuzma is averaging 22.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game on 46.1% shooting from the floor. Unfortunately, the Wizards are currently just 9-52 through 61 games, tied for the worst record in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons.
Despite in-season struggles and suspensions due to his behavior, Draymond Green’s importance to the Golden State Warriors is still as blatantly obvious as it ever was. While his numbers may not be something to brag about, this has always been who Draymond is, providing the playmaking and defense that is often overlooked when it comes to Golden State. With Green back in the lineup, the Warriors have been able to contend with the West’s top teams and improved their record to 32-28, good for ninth in the West right now.
The final member of Tier 3 for 2023-24 power forwards is Tobias Harris of the Philadelphia 76ers. Harris is having a bounce-back season with the 76ers in the final year before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Through 54 games played, Harris is averaging 17.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game on 50.0% shooting. Harris has helped the 76ers stay afloat in their playoff pursuit after the injury to Joel Embiid.
Tier 4 (Role Players)
P.J. Washington, Jonathan Kuminga, Harrison Barnes, Jabari Smith Jr., John Collins
Tier 4 has been reserved for five role players who have been great in their respective duties in 2023-24. P.J. Washington has been a force for the Dallas Mavericks since being acquired at the trade deadline from the Charlotte Hornets. In nine games with Dallas, Washington is averaging 11.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game on 43.0% shooting. His addition is what the Mavericks hope can put them over the top as a legitimate threat come playoff time in the Western Conference.
One player who has inserted his name firmly into the NBA’s Most Improved Player conversation this season is Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors. Splitting time between being a starter and coming off the bench this season, Kuminga has averaged 15.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 52.9% overall and just 29.9% from three. Kuminga’s rise to success could be the Warriors’ saving grace this season heading into the 2024 playoffs.
Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento Kings is another quietly contributing member of Tier 4. Barnes has started 59 games this season for the Kings, averaging 12.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. His veteran leadership has worked wonders for the likes of Keegan Murray and other young players on the Kings while he has also remained a vital part of the teams’ push for the playoffs for the second season in a row.
Jabari Smith Jr. worked his way up a tier from last season after a solid second year with the Houston Rockets in 2023-24 so far. In 55 games, Smith has averaged 13.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, both up from last season, while shooting 45.1% from the field. Smith continues to improve despite early career struggles last season that had many questioning his status as a top-three draft pick in 2022.
The final member of Tier 4 is John Collins of the Utah Jazz. Collins is having a decent season in his first year in Utah, averaging 14.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Defensively, he has remained somewhat of a liability although he has improved his on-ball coverage slightly in 2023-24. Utah may be out of the playoff race for now but look for Collins to be a big trade piece for them this summer if they decide to redo their rebuild once again.
Tier 5 (X-Factors)
Rui Hachimura, Patrick Williams, Kevin Love
The final three players who make up Tier 5 are not to be considered among the worst players at power forward despite being at the bottom of the last tier. Remember, these power forwards are still the 25 best at the position this season. Rui Hachimura is having another up-and-down season with the Lakers in 2023-24, averaging 12.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 50 games played for L.A. this season.
Patrick Williams of the Chicago Bulls has also worked his way onto Tier 5 for the 2023-24 season he is putting forth so far. Through 43 games played, Williams is averaging 10.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game for the 29-32 Bulls who are fighting for a Play-In spot in ninth place in the East. Despite not having played in a month, Williams has still produced enough to be considered a Tier 5 power forward in 2023-24.
Kevin Love is also still lingering around the top power forwards in the NBA this season in his first full year with the Miami Heat. Now in a role fully off the bench, Love is averaging 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game for the Heat in 2023-24. He is also shooting 44.3% overall and 34.9% from three, helping the Heat make their annual late-season push and get rolling toward the NBA playoffs.Â
