After revealing what the 25 best point guards and shooting guards in the 2023-24 season look like being separated into tiers, we have reached one of the most talented positions in the game today, small forward. The 2023-24 season has seen many elite small forwards reach new levels with their game. From the veterans who continue leading the way for their respective teams to the young potential stars who continue to see their stock rise with each passing performance, this tier list will surely be among our most exciting.
It is important to remember that these tier rankings are based solely on each player’s performance so far during the 2023-24 season and being listed as a small forward on Basketball Reference. For example, Paul George is listed as a power forward for the 2023-24 season, meaning he will not be included on this list despite being a natural small forward his whole career. Past accomplishments and future expectations hold no weight here. Every one of these small forwards are considered the top 25 players at their position currently, making their presence on this list a testament to the seasons they are having.
*Player positions are based as listed on Basketball Reference*
Tier 1 (Kings)
Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James
No, you are not seeing things and it is the 2023-24 season. Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James have returned to their rightful spot atop the small forward rankings in the NBA. Leonard is having perhaps his best overall season with the Clippers since joining them in 2019-20, averaging 24.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. More importantly, he has been healthy and the Clippers are winning games. Leonard has played 52 of Los Angeles’ 57 games this season and the team has a 37-20 record, fourth in the Western Conference.
While so many still wait for the downfall of LeBron James as he surpasses 39 years old, he continues to shatter expectations and rewrite the record books with each passing moment on the court. As far as being listed as a small forward in 2023-24, James is an anomaly compared to every other player in the NBA considering his ability to play every position effectively multiple times over the course of a game. It is only right that he is included with the small forwards, his natural position, without a real position to call his own which speaks to his greatness.
James is currently averaging 25.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game on the season, appearing in 53 of the Lakers’ 61 games in 2023-24. He has helped lead them to a 33-28 record overall, right in the thick of the race for the Play-In Tournament. He is still, in his 21st season, among the most impactful and methodical players in the game and top-two at his position.
Tier 2 (All-Stars)
Jaylen Brown, Jimmy Butler, DeMar DeRozan, Brandon Ingram
Tier 2 has been reserved for one All-Star in 2023-24 as well as three small forwards who had fantastic cases for the mid-season exhibition but fell just short. Jaylen Brown earned his third All-Star selection in four years this season, averaging 22.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game on 49.9% shooting overall, a career-high through 53 games. Brown has helped the Celtics become the best team in the NBA so far this season with a 46-12 record and serious aspirations for their first NBA title since 2008.
Jimmy Butler’s 2023-24 has been an up-and-down roller coaster through 58 games for the Miami Heat but he has not wavered at any point on the court. Despite missing 19 games due to injury, Butler has been more than solid when on the floor, averaging 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on 50.1% shooting. The Heat have been in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference at 33-26 and with a hold on the eighth seed. Just get Jimmy Butler to the Playoffs and it will all work out.
The next near All-Star at small forward this season is DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls. In his third season in Chicago in 2023-24, DeRozan is once again leading the team with 22.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game on 46.7% shooting. DeRozan and company continue to have a strong second half of the season and now hold a 28-31 record, just five games back of the Magic for the eighth seed.
The final member of Tier 2 for 2023-24 small forwards is Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans. Ingram has been having a quietly impressive season once again for the 35-25 Pelicans with 21.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists on 48.8% shooting. Ingram’s maturity as a scorer and selfless player has helped the Pelicans back in position for a playoff berth this season and could see them be a sleeper to upset some legitimate contenders once they get there.
Tier 3 (Exceptional)
Franz Wagner, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Jerami Grant, Miles Bridges, Michael Porter Jr., RJ Barrett, Brandon Miller
Tier 3 of 2023-24 NBA small forwards feature the exceptional players at the position who are having overall impressive 2023-24 seasons. Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic is the head of this tier in his third season. He is currently averaging 20.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, which are all career-highs, on 48.1% shooting. Wagner’s continued improvement year to year has the Magic’s rebuild ahead of schedule, sitting at 34-26 on the season and just 0.5 games back of the fifth seed in the East.
OG Anunoby began the 2023-24 season with the Toronto Raptors where his elite two-way skills were overshadowed by poor team performance. After being dealt to the New York Knicks on December 30, the full scope of his impact began to take shape. Anunoby helped the Knicks go on a 12-2 run through 14 games before going down with an injury. Anunoby averaged 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game during that time, showcasing his defensive repertoire and what it means to team success.
Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets also finds himself in Tier 3 thanks to his performance this season. Through 59 games, Bridges is averaging 20.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game on 44.5% shooting. It is Bridges’ first full season with the Nets following a trade from Phoenix last season. Overall, the Nets have struggled as a unit with a 23-36 record and well out of the East’s playoff picture.
Jerami Grant is in a similar situation to Bridges in that he is having an impressive season on a subpar team. Through 50 games played, Grant is averaging 21.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game on 45.3% shooting overall and 40.4% from three. Unfortunately, the Trail Blazers have had a tough time adjusting to life after Damian Lillard with a 15-42 record through 57 games.
Miles Bridges’ return to the NBA was met with mixed reactions earlier this season. His play since then has been among the top players at his position with the fifth-year pro averaging 21.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game on 46.0% shooting overall and 37.3% shooting from three. Bridges and the Charlotte Hornets have once again watched their season spiral out of control, however, with a 15-44 record through 59 games.
Defending NBA champion Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets has also remained one of the top 15 small forwards in the NBA this season. In 59 games for the 41-19 third-place Nuggets, Porter is averaging 16.4 points per game on 47.5% shooting. He is also averaging a career-high 7.1 rebounds per game and playing some of the best defensive basketball of his career.
RJ Barrett was part of the OG Anunoby trade to New York, returning to play in his native country of Canada and the Toronto Raptors. Barrett has maintained his steady production from the last two years in New York into his new era with Toronto as well. In 22 games with the Raptors so far, Barrett is averaging 20.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 55.0% from the floor. He is also shooting 40.5% from three on 3.8 attempts and has watched all of his production increase across the board with the move.
The final member of Tier 3 is one of the more impressive rookies in the entire 2023-24 class. Brandon Miller has surged up the Rookie of the Year standings in the last five weeks, securing a spot in third right now behind Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren. Miller has done this averaging 16.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 37.4% from three. It seems that Miller’s early-season struggles in adjustments are a distant memory and the sky’s the limit for him heading into the future.
Tier 4 (Role Players)
Keegan Murray, Khris Middleton, Jaden McDaniels, Grayson Allen, Andrew Wiggins, Jalen Johnson, Herb Jones, Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Second-year forward Keegan Murray of the Sacramento Kings kicks things off in Tier 4 for the players who are exceeding expectations and excelling in their roles. Murray is averaging 15.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game for the Kings this season, shooting 46.7% from the floor overall. Murray has helped the Kings follow up their successful 2022-23 run with a 33-25 record through 58 games, good for eighth in the West and just one game out of fifth.
Khris Middleton’s stock has taken a dip with injuries and struggles in the last few seasons but he remains one of the 20 best small forwards in the NBA regardless. In 43 games so far in 2023-24, Middleton is averaging 14.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game for the 39-21 Milwaukee Bucks. Middleton’s services will become even more important as Milwaukee heads toward the NBA playoffs looking for a player outside of Lillard and Antetokounmpo to deliver in big games.
Jaden McDaniels has slowly become one of the better perimeter defenders in the NBA today. His efforts on the defensive end have led to the Timberwolves having the top-rated defense this season and a 42-17 record overall. McDaniels is also averaging decent numbers on offense with 10.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
Quietly, Grayson Allen arrived in Phoenix with the Suns and has become a large part of their success as the season has worn on. He has become one of their most effective defenders and a reliable offensive option when counted on to deliver. In 52 games this year, Allen is averaging 12.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 50.2% from the field and leading the NBA from three at 47.7% on 5.3 attempts. Allen’s continued strong play will be Imperative for Phoenix to legitimately challenge for an NBA title.
Experiencing a bit of a lull in play over the last two seasons, Andrew Wiggins also drops down to Tier 4 for his play in 2023-24. Not only are the Warriors struggling to hang onto the 10th spot in the Western Conference but Wiggins once again finds himself struggling mightily. He is averaging just 12.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this season through 51 games for the 30-27 Warriors.
One of the biggest surprises this season so far has been the rise in stock of Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson. As one of the shocking candidates for Most Improved Player this season, Johnson has been a bright spot for the Hawks’ otherwise dark season. Through 45 games for the Hawks, Johnson has averaged 15.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals per game while shooting a scorching 52.2% from the floor. Atlanta finds themselves at 26-33 currently, hanging onto the 10th spot in the East with all their might.
Herb Jones is another small forward for the New Orleans Pelicans to make our Tier list today. Jones has been a two-way rising star for his team in 2023-24, averaging a career-high 11.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game while also being their best perimeter defender on a nightly basis.
The final member of Tier 4 is another rookie who came out of nowhere this season as the 18th overall pick, Jaime Jaquez Jr. Jaquez’s stock rose fiercely when he stepped in for an injured Jimmy Butler this season and helped lead the Heat to many key victories. He remains one of their best primetime performers even with Butler back in the lineup. He is currently averaging 12.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game on 49.2% shooting and appears to be one of the better overall players from the 2023 NBA Draft class.
Tier 5 (X-Factors)
Deni Avdija, Josh Hart, Aaron Nesmith
The three players at the bottom of this tier list round out the top 25 small forwards in the NBA this season. Deni Avdija of the Washington Wizards is having a career year in his fourth season in the NBA. He is currently averaging 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 51.3% from the floor. Washington is having a nightmare of a season though with a 9-50 record through 59 games.
Josh Hart has been a spark of energy for the New York Knicks since coming over in a deal with the Trail Blazers last season. Hart’s hustle and heart have been contagious for the Knicks and the job he is doing in filling in for an injured OG Anunoby this season has kept the Knicks afloat. He is currently averaging 8.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game for the Knicks who are in the heat of a playoff race at 35-25 and fourth in the East.
Rounding things out for our 2023-24 small forwards is Aaron Nesmith of the Indiana Pacers. In 51 games for the surprising Pacers this season, Nesmith is averaging 12.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game on 51.9% shooting. His play has helped the Pacers go 34-26 through 60 games while firmly holding onto a seventh spot in the playoff chase at this moment.
