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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Ranking The 25 Best Small Forwards For The 2023-24 NBA Season

Ranking The 25 Best Small Forwards For The 2023-24 NBA Season

An in-depth ranking of the best NBA small forwards heading into the 2023-24 season based on what they accomplished in 2022-23 as well as what we think they will produce next season.

Nick Mac
Sep 14, 2023
40 Min Read
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Credit: Fadeaway World

  • There are four legitimate MVP candidates that play small forward in the NBA heading into 2023-24
  • Jayson Tatum is the only small forward to average over 30.0 points per game in 2022-23
  • LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard are the only active small forwards with at least one Finals MVP award

After a brief hiatus, it is time to continue our positional rankings for the 2023-24 NBA season. We began this countdown a few weeks ago with the top 25 point guards led by Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic. We then examined the best shooting guards for the upcoming season, such as Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell. Today, it is time we take a look at the best small forwards heading into 2023-24. 

Contents
  • 25. Gordon Hayward
  • 24. Dillon Brooks
  • 23. Max Strus
  • 22. Tim Hardaway Jr.
  • 21. Bruce Brown
  • 20. De’Andre Hunter
  • 19. Trey Murphy III
  • 18. Bojan Bogdanovic
  • 17. Harrison Barnes
  • 16. Tobias Harris
  • 15. Cameron Johnson
  • 14. Keldon Johnson
  • 13. Jaden McDaniels
  • 12. Michael Porter Jr.
  • 11. Scottie Barnes
  • 10. RJ Barrett
  • 9. Franz Wagner
  • 8. Andrew Wiggins
  • 7. Khris Middleton
  • 6. Brandon Ingram
  • 5. DeMar DeRozan
  • 4. Kawhi Leonard
  • 3. Jimmy Butler
  • 2. Jayson Tatum
  • 1. LeBron James
    • Next
    • All-Time ‘K’ Team vs. All-Time ‘M’ Team: Who Wins A 7-Game Series?
    • The 10 Most Underpaid NBA Players For The 2023-24 Season
    • The 25 Best International NBA Players For The 2023-24 Season

The small forward position is one that is very deep in today’s NBA with many who play the position being able to display their versatility in other spots as well. Of course, players like LeBron James and Jayson Tatum lead the pack but the other 23 players are no slouches either. The top 25 small forwards are some of the best overall players in the game today with many having something to prove to themselves and the NBA community in the year ahead. The only question that remains is if they can meet those expectations.

These are the 25 best small forwards for the 2023-24 NBA season.


25. Gordon Hayward

Gordon Hayward

2022-23 Stats: 14.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG

There was a time when Gordon Hayward was a consensus top-10 small player at his position in the NBA. Over the last four seasons, his health and production have declined annually to not only cement his contract as one of the worst contracts in the game today but also his ranking nearly off this list.

Hayward has not played over 50 games in a season since 2019-20 when he participated in 52 contests for the Boston Celtics. In his three seasons with the Hornets, Hayward has yet to exceed 50 games played in any season. In 2022-23, Hayward put up his worst numbers since 2019 averaging 14.7 points per game on 47.5% shooting and 32.5% shooting from three. The Hornets went on to win just 27 games.

I expect Hayward’s role to be even more minimized in 2023-24. Never mind the obvious uncertainty of how often he will be on the court. The issue is the amount of talent who I feel will be go-to options before Charlotte turns to Hayward for answers. LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, and the return of Miles Bridges are certain to take touches out of Hayward’s hands, and rightfully so.


24. Dillon Brooks

Dillon Brooks Believes He Is Among The 'Most Elite' Defenders In The NBA

2022-23 Stats: 14.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG

At first glance, you may think I am one of the ones who spent the summer hating on Dillon Brooks. Nothing could be further from the truth. I actually spent the summer defending him and shaming the ones who said he deserved to be playing overseas and not in the NBA. I took the J.J. Redick stance on things when it comes to Dillon Brooks. However, Brooks still has a ton to prove to me to be considered a top 20 small forward in the NBA right now.

Brooks had a good regular season for the Memphis Grizzlies, earning his first All-Defensive Team selection and helping the team win 51 games and gain the second seed in the Western Conference. However, when playoff time came around, Brooks bit off far more than he could chew when playing the Lakers in the first round. Brooks proceeded to not only antagonize LeBron James but played horribly averaging 10.5 points per game on 31.2% shooting overall and 23.8% from three.

Brooks will get a fresh start in 2023-24 with his new organization, the Houston Rockets. Brooks signed with the Rockets this offseason for four years and $86 million. Brooks will have a chance to work alongside Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green as Houston attempts to get out of the proverbial basement in the NBA. Under Head Coach Ime Udoka, Brooks has a chance to allow his defensive skills to outshine his offensive deficiencies and his mouth and help Houston achieve that goal.


23. Max Strus

Max Strus, Cavaliers Agree To Four-Year, $63 Million Sign-And-Trade

2022-23 Stats: 11.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.2 BPG

For the last four seasons, Max Strus went from an undrafted no-name small forward with the Heat to a folk hero on the streets of South Beach. Strus found a rhythm within the Heat’s system with a knack for knocking down big shots and making timely plays which particularly aided the Heat on their trip to the 2023 NBA Finals.

In 2022-23, Strus averaged a career-high 11.5 points per game while shooting 35.0% from beyond the arc. His numbers would dip slightly during the playoffs but didn’t go without some big shots late down the stretches of these pivotal games. Now, Strus is taking his talents to Cleveland to play with the Cavaliers where he will benefit greatly from playing alongside Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, and Evan Mobley. Strus is likely to see his fair share of opportunities with all of the attention his teammates will draw to themselves and cash in on the big deal he signed this offseason. Will his magic repeat itself in Cleveland?


22. Tim Hardaway Jr.

Tim Hardaway Jr.

2022-23 Stats: 14.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Believe it or not, Tim Hardaway Jr. was slightly better in 2022-23 when the Dallas Mavericks missed the playoffs than he was in 2022 when they advanced to the Western Conference Finals. That is the case if all you looked at were his stats. The truth is, his offense was streaky at best while his defense was almost non-existent.

After the loss of Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith in the trade for Kyrie Irving, Hardaway had the chance to step up back into a third-option role and have a positive effect on a team in the thick of the playoff hunt. What proceeded was a meltdown of epic proportions and one of the most disappointing seasons in Mavericks history.

In 2023-24, Hardaway will have what is likely his final chance with Dallas to help them get back to playing basketball in the postseason. If he cannot begin to efficiently shoot the ball and show signs of life on defense, we could be looking at a trade piece for Dallas come February. Hardaway, who turns 32 in March, should be a big part of Dallas’ game plan during the early season. If he shows signs of decline, I expect him to be replaced in the starting lineup by young and rising player Josh Green.


21. Bruce Brown

Bruce Brown

2022-23 Stats: 11.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Every NBA team needs a player like Bruce Brown in order to be successful. Brown is the type of player who can have an enormous championship impact on a contending team just as he did with the 2023 NBA champion Denver Nuggets. By the end of the playoffs, Brown was considered one of the best bench players in the NBA and was rewarded handsomely in free agency for it.

Brown’s play is predicated on his willingness to do whatever it takes in order for his team to be successful. You can guarantee that Brown is going to be in constant motion on both ends of the floor every time he steps onto it this season for the Indiana Pacers who signed him for two years and $45 million this past summer. After a career season in 2022-23 with Denver, Brown looks to inject some of that championship energy into an Indiana team on the cusp of seriously competing for a playoff spot and beyond. Will it rub off in Indiana or will the $45 million be seen as an overpay for the 27-year-old?


20. De’Andre Hunter

De’Andre Hunter

2022-23 Stats: 15.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.3 BPG

In 2022-23, we finally got to see the healthiest season from De’Andre Hunter since he made his debut with the Hawks at the beginning of the 2019-20 season. Hunter has established himself as one of the Hawks’ better defenders on the court at all times, using his 7’0’’ wingspan and high basketball IQ to continuously make plays on that end of the ball.

Hunter has shown that he is extremely unselfish and wants nothing more than for his team to win. His play in 2023-24 will definitely improve after a full training camp and summer working with new Head Coach Quin Snyder and alongside his backcourt teammates Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. Only time will tell if Hunter can become the player in 2023-24 that Hawks fans have been waiting on for the first four years of his career.


19. Trey Murphy III

Trey Murphy III

2022-23 Stats: 14.5 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Second-year player Trey Murphy III had an enormous impact on the New Orleans Pelicans in 2022-23 as he was thrust into the starting lineup following extensive injuries to both Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Murphy would average 14.5 points per game on 48.4% shooting overall while seeing 31.0 minutes of action every night.

Murphy showed a consistent and smooth ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter as well. In 2023, he attempted 497 total three-pointers and knocked down 40.6% of them. He also uses his length and reach to insert himself into an opponent’s offensive game plan, throwing them off with his superb athletic ability.

Murphy may not be one of the “stars” for New Orleans just yet but he is certainly one of the players who will be critical to their success moving forward. We could be getting ready to see a leap from Murphy similar to the ones we have seen in recent seasons from Desmond Bane and RJ Barrett as he heads into his third season on the NBA hardwood.


18. Bojan Bogdanovic

Bojan Bogdanovic

2022-23 Stats: 21.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Now, you may think that Detroit Pistons small forward Bojan Bogdanovic’s ranking on this list may be a little low but you have to remember one key piece of information as we continue through this list. We are looking ahead to next season, not basing our rankings on 2022-23. If we were, Bogdanovic would be much higher, averaging a career-high 21.6 points per game while shooting 41.1% from three.

With the return of Cade Cunningham to the lineup and the influx of young talent in Detroit such as Jalen Duran and Jaden Ivey, Bogdanovic’s numbers are likely to dip in 2023-24. This also gets coupled with the fact that he is probably seeking to get out of Detroit considering the constant trade rumors and lack of competitive play from the franchise in recent years.

Of course, he will still play a major role in the upcoming season for Detroit, at least in the beginning. After playing just 59 games in 2022-23, his health will also play a factor in both his individual and team success this upcoming season. Do you think he can remain one of the Pistons’ main contributors on offense or is it time for him to move to the side in favor of their young core?


17. Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes

2022-23 Stats: 15.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG

In 2022-23, Harrison Barnes joined an elite club of players that started all 82 games which off the bat makes him more valuable than most. Along with his ability to stay on the court, he took young stars like Keegan Murray under his wing and helped develop him into a key piece of their team heading into the future.

Barnes signed a four-year, $85 million contract this summer which goes to show how much the Sacramento Kings believe in his ability to be a contributor to their franchise moving forward. With 15.0 points per game on 47.3% shooting overall, Barnes played a key role in helping the Kings reach the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. As time goes on, Barnes’ willingness to step aside and allow his younger teammates to see more action is going to pay massive dividends for Sacramento.


16. Tobias Harris

Tobias Harris

2022-23 Stats: 14.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Tobias Harris has been under massive scrutiny over the last few seasons thanks to the Sixers organization giving him a massive contract extension rather than paying to keep Jimmy Butler in town. Harris has been on a steady decline as far as production goes and Philadelphia fans are easily the most impatient in basketball when it comes to instant gratification from their players.

I get it, though. If a player is getting paid like a star, he needs to perform like one and not like Hrris did in 2022-23. Harris enjoyed switching back to small forward with P.J. Tucker taking over the power forward duties. This is likely to continue in 2023-24 with Harris claiming he is on a mission to prove his doubters wrong. The Sixers need him more than ever after a tumultuous offseason that has watched a James Harden saga take all the focus away from their team.

The Sixers are tired of being second-round exits as is their fanbase, especially when they have the MVP and NBA assists leader on their team. In order for them to take the next step, Harris will have to be the one to improve his play and reach a level he has before like in 2020.


15. Cameron Johnson

Cam Johnson

2022-23 Stats: 15.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG

The 2022-23 season was a tale of two halves for Cameron Johnson. He spent the first half of the year with the Phoenix Suns where he averaged 13.9 points per game while shooting 45.5% from three and playing the power forward position. His final 25 games with the Brooklyn Nets gave me much better hope for Johnson heading into the 2023-24 season.

In 25 games with the Nets after being sent over in the Kevin Durant trade, Johnson would average 16.6 points per game on 46.8% shooting overall and 37.2% from three. Johnson is likely to slide into the small forward role for Brooklyn this season with the uncertainty around where Ben Simmons will play most of the time. Johnson and teammate Mikal Bridges both seemed to have found comfortability and rejuvenation with their new squad in Brooklyn while helping them reach the playoffs in 2023. If Johnson can repeat and improve on those 25 games with Brooklyn from the end of the season, they could be a team to make noise once again in 2023-24.


14. Keldon Johnson

Keldon Johnson

2022-23 Stats: 22.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.9 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Keldon Johnson is on the cusp of All-Star status with the San Antonio Spurs, and a breakout season just might be upon us in 2023-24. Last season, Johnson averaged a career-high 22.0 points per game on 45.2% shooting for the Spurs while they once again struggled to stay competitive in the Western Conference. Of course, the Spurs were tanking for Victor Wembanyama, but that is neither here nor there.

With the addition of Wembanyama to their lineup, the Spurs and Johnson are looking to be exponentially better in 2023-24. With most of the focus turning to Wemanyama this season, Johnson will thrive as he has never played with someone who has the potential and skill set such as his. Johnson’s slashing and defense have been his main two assets through four years in the NBA. In 2023-24, they could very well be what aids him on his leap toward an All-Star selection as well as San Antonio’s leap toward a trip back to the playoffs.


13. Jaden McDaniels

Jaden McDaniels

2022-23 Stats: 12.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.0 BPG

In 2022-23, Jaden McDaniels quietly evolved into one of the more promising small forwards in the entire NBA. McDaniels is as versatile as any defender in the NBA and that is far more complex than just saying it. You see, McDaniels is not just able to guard multiple positions, but slow them down effectively and at an elite level as well.

McDaniels making the switch from power forward to small forward has worked wonders for him and for Minnesota’s defense. McDaniels has also improved his offensive game tremendously which will help Minnesota heading into 2023-24. From three last season, McDaniels shot 39.8% from beyond the arc and averaged a career-high 12.1 points per game. It may not seem like much but adding that to being one of the best defenders in the entire league easily makes him a top-15 small forward for next season.


12. Michael Porter Jr.

Michael Porter Jr.

2022-23 Stats: 17.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Michael Porter Jr. is one of the more evolved small forwards in the NBA over the last few seasons. He missed all but nine games in 2022 due to a back injury but bounced back in a major way to help the Denver Nuggets capture their first championship in franchise history.

The first thing he displayed was a willingness to take a backseat to stars Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic on offense. Anyone who watched his first few seasons knows this was a complete 180-degree turn from his earlier days in 2020 and 2021. His ability to adapt has been tremendous for Denver as has his rebounding and defensive improvement. Sure, he takes some ill-advised shots more often than most but he makes up for it with the job he continues to do on the other side of the ball.

In 2023-24, Porter will have a role similar to 2023 but with much more importance that comes with it. The defending champions have a target on their backs now and Porter Jr. will be at the center of expectations for this team moving forward. If Porter can continue to improve on his efficiency and defensive effort, the Nuggets should be right back in a position to compete for an NBA championship in 2023-24.


11. Scottie Barnes

Scottie Barnes

2022-23 Stats: 15.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Former 2021-22 NBA Rookie of the Year got off to a promising start in his NBA career. Raptors fans and the front office thought they had found their next franchise superstar but a dropoff in production in 2022-23 was definite cause for concern.

Barnes showed little to no progression in his second season when many thought he could be headed for All-Star status. He was still an effective point forward for Toronto, creating plays for himself and his teammates at a consistent rate. However, by most defensive and advanced metrics, Barnes showed a slight decline in production which is never a good sign.

In 2023-24, I expect a big bounceback season from Barnes. As the Raptors turn over a new leaf within their organization, Barnes is undoubtedly going to be looked to as one of the leaders and stars moving forward. If Toronto hopes to get back into playoff contention, Barnes will have to be the player we all expect him to be and then some.


10. RJ Barrett

RJ Barrett

2022-23 Stats: 19.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.2 BPG

There have been many criticisms of Canadian small forward RJ Barrett over the last few seasons. He has been quite inefficient in shooting the ball and struggles to create easy shots for himself at the rim and elsewhere. However, there is also a lot to be said about his potential and the type of player he can be if he continues to work on and improve his game.

One thing that can never be disputed about Barrett is his ability to give maximum effort on both sides of the ball every single night. Barrett is a team player who is always looking for the most unselfish play and help his team become successful. Playing alongside All-Star-caliber players such as Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle will only continue to help him improve as they try to build on their second-round playoff exit in 2022-23.


9. Franz Wagner

Franz Wagner

2022-23 Stats: 18.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Franz Wagner is another small forward who is young and looks to be heading toward All-Star status in the coming years with the Orlando Magic. Wagner is already one of the better slashers and movers without the ball in the entire NBA. Although he is heading into just his third season, Wagner already looks as if he is a seasoned veteran with the way he has improved his game.

He improved slightly as an outside shooter in 2022-23 as well as a scorer off the dribble. His shooting efficiency has taken a slight increase as well with even more room for improvement as the 22-year-old matures and finds his place with the Magic. Wagner and teammate Paolo Banchero are undoubtedly the duo that will carry an Orlando team into the future that hopes to compete for a championship within the next five seasons.


8. Andrew Wiggins

Andrew Wiggins

2022-23 Stats: 17.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.8 BPG

After a 2022-23 season that saw him play just 37 games due to personal reasons, Andrew Wiggins and the Golden State Warriors are looking forward to getting the two-way star back for a full season in 2023-24.

Wiggins had a tumultuous season in 2021-22 both on and off the court which undoubtedly had an effect on him that was not positive. Wiggins was still a 17.0 points per game scorer and a defensive plus for Golden State as they sought to defend their NBA championship. Missing so many games took the continuity the team reached during their championship run.

With Wiggins healthy, I truly believe that the Warriors are a better team than they were last season, and could potentially see them run it back as NBA champions. Wiggins is a true glue piece for a Golden State team that needs him to be the player he was in 2022 in the worst way in order for them to have a chance at achieving that ultimate goal.


7. Khris Middleton

Khris Middleton

2022-23 Stats: 15.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4.9 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG

The 2022-23 season was not kind to Khris Middleton in the slightest way. Middleton played just 33 games last season due to knee injuries that forced him to have offseason surgery. When on the court, Middleton failed to reach levels that were expected of him which ultimately helped aid in the Miami Heat’s upset of the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs.

After signing an extension this offseason, Middleton needs to get back to the 2021 version of himself that was so important to their championship run. Middleton was often the closer for Milwaukee late in games as the team could rely on him for quick, efficient, and clutch shots. If Milwaukee wants to have a chance at a championship in any way, Middleton needs to be the number-two guy behind Giannis once again.


6. Brandon Ingram

Brandon Ingram

2022-23 Stats: 24.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.8 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Regardless of him being misused by Steve Kerr during their 2023 FIBA World Cup run, Brandon Ingram is still knocking on the door of becoming a top-five small forward in the NBA. Limited to just 45 games last season, Ingram still made the best of it when he was on the floor, averaging a career-high 24.7 points per game on 48.4% shooting from the field.

Ingram is extremely talented on the offensive side of the floor, reminiscent of a young Kevin Durant at times. His ability to work off the dribble and create shots for himself certainly has the same look and feel to it when he gets into a groove. His length has also enabled him to become a slightly better defender with New Orleans as well.

In order for New Orleans to take the leap we all expected them to last year, Ingram will need to stay on the court for more than 45 games. He is essential to their team’s success, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the future of Zion Williamson. If Ingram can even get close to the All-Star player he was just in 2020, New Orleans will be right back into the thick of the playoff chase.


5. DeMar DeRozan

2022-23 Stats: 24.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Kicking off our top five for the 2023-24 season is Bulls small forward DeMar DeRozan. After an MVP-like season in 2021-22, DeRozan “cooled off” in a sense for Chicago in 2022-23. He was still an All-Star averaging over 24.0 points per game with much-improved defense but gone was the magic he seemed to capture enough to send the Bulls to the playoffs.

Despite missing the playoffs, DeRozan is, in my opinion, very clearly the best player for Chicago heading into 2023-24. Yes, I know Zach LaVine plays for the Bulls also. Still, I will take DeRozan as my number-one guy for now. With Chicago, DeRozan has found the playmaking and defensive part of his game we all wish he could have found earlier in his career.

The Bulls need DeRozan to be the All-Star he has been for them over the last two seasons once again in order to get back to their goal of reaching and advancing in the NBA playoffs. In some ways, they will need him to be even better.


4. Kawhi Leonard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7XKps1BJN0

2022-23 Stats: 23.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.5 BPG

The story remains the same for Kawhi Leonard heading into 2023-24 just as it has been for the last few years with the Clippers. If he can stay healthy, they will compete at an elite level. If he cannot, they will falter at some point.

When Leonard was on the court in 2022-23, he looked as if he was returning to prime form which allowed him to become a two-time Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. We already know that Leonard is one of the best players in basketball when he is 100 percent. The problem is, he hasn’t been that in quite some time.

Kawhi can change everything in Los Angeles for the Clippers if his knees can hold up. In the 2023 playoffs, they were well on their way to taking down the Phoenix Suns in the first round before Leonard went down and missed the rest of the series. He was averaging 34.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game through the first two games before the injury with the series tied 1-1. I still believe in him or I wouldn’t have him ranked inside the top five. My patience is wearing thin though as I am sure every Clippers fan out there is as well.


3. Jimmy Butler

2022-23 Stats: 22.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Coming off of another spectacular playoff run that saw him lead the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals for the second time in four seasons, Jimmy Butler works his way into the top three small forwards for 2023-24. Butler has been one of the best two-way players in the NBA over the last five years and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

It is hard to predict where Miami stands as a team at this moment considering the ongoing Damian Lillard trade rumors surrounding their franchise. The one certainty I can come up with for them is that Jimmy Butler is going to lead them and get the most out of his teammates just as he has done for the last four years with the team.

Although he began to cool down toward the end of the NBA Finals and even before that, the Miami Heat completely run through Butler and how far he could take them. Adding Damian Lillard is not going to change that fact. As a leader, defender, creator, and scorer, Butler is going to take all of it on as his own because that is just the way he has done things his whole career. Will it be enough to finally win them an NBA championship?


2. Jayson Tatum

2022-23 Stats: 30.1 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG

In many ways, Jayson Tatum had his best season ever in 2022-23. He became the first Celtics player to ever average over 30.0 points per game in a season and was well engulfed in the MVP chase foremost of the season. His play helped Boston secure the second seed in the playoffs and advance to the Conference Finals for the fourth time in his career.

Tatum has improved across the board as a shooter, three-level scorer, and especially on the defensive side of the ball. Along with teammate Jaylen Brown, the things Boston has to clean up are minor in order for them to get back to the NBA Finals just as they did in 2022. Those include costly and boneheaded mistakes in critical moments of close games as well as better shot selection overall.

If Tatum and company can clean these things up, I see no problem with claiming them as one of the favorites to be crowned 2024 NBA champions.


1. LeBron James

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVReA1rItQU

2022-23 Stats: 28.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 6.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Were you expecting somebody else? Well, I hate to break it to NBA fans, Kevin Durant has played power forward the last three seasons in Brooklyn and Phoenix and that trend is likely to continue next season. Therefore, it is still LeBron James that remains atop the NBA hierarchy when it comes to small forwards.

Yes, I know that James plays every other position and all of those talking points that his fans love to throw out there when nobody asks. However, his primary position has always been small forward and if you do not agree that he is still the best, then you are simply just a hater at this point.

James still has an extremely high basketball IQ along with a strong ability to score at the rim and create plays for his teammates on every possession. Sure, he struggled shooting the ball from three last season but imagine thinking that’s all that matters even in today’s game. James is still among the NBA’s best scorers and distributors of the basketball with a chip on his shoulder that never seems to go away. I, for one, am certainly not betting against him in 2023-24.

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ByNick Mac
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Nick Mac is a staff writer for Fadeaway World from Sag Harbor, NY. Specializing in in-depth articles that explore the history of the NBA, Nick is particularly knowledgeable about the 1990s to 2000s era. His interest in this period allows him to provide rich, detailed narratives that capture the essence of basketball's evolution. Nick's work has not only been featured in prominent outlets such as CBS Sports and NBA on ESPN but also in various other notable publications.In addition to his writing, Nick has produced sports radio shows for Fox Sports Radio 1280 and The Ryan Show FM, showcasing his versatility and ability to engage with sports media across different formats. He prides himself on conducting thorough interviews with significant figures within the basketball world before drafting substantial pieces. His interviews, including one with Milwaukee Bucks president Peter Feigin, underscore his commitment to authenticity and accuracy in reporting. This meticulous approach ensures that his articles are not only informative but also resonate with a deep sense of credibility and insight. 
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