No fantasy basketball position is as deep as the point guard spot, but the modern NBA has developed some skilled wings in recent years. The best forwards in the game are often expected to score in bunches, rebound, and make plays for others without being detrimental on the defensive end.
Most of the top 10 small forwards in this year's list can do all that. Their skill sets can make them extremely valuable in roto leagues -- especially if they can shoot the ball well from the charity stripe and from beyond the arc. LeBron James has reigned supreme at small forward for a long time, and I don't expect anything different in 2022-23.
Which players are worth grabbing in the first round? What players seem likely to finish toward the top despite injury struggles? And players could fall short of expectations? Check out the rankings below for some brief explanations for the top five and a comprehensive top 50 list:
The Top Five
James was a top-three small forward last season despite appearing in just 56 games. The king's versatility and productivity in all aspects of the game isn't going anywhere, as he tallied at least 25.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game for the sixth consecutive season. His scoring average (30.0) was the highest its been since 2005 in 2021-22. No small forward will match James's playmaking upside and his rebounding should benefit from playing more power forward in 2022-23.
Tatum's broken the top three in three consecutive seasons. It's clear that the he's on track to become a perennial All-Star as the face of the Celtics, and he's still getting better. Whether he can reach new heights as a scorer remains to be seen, but his rebound and assist numbers have increased with each pro season. It's very unlikely that he'll match James as a primary distributor, but his usually-efficient shooting and defense make him a shoo-in for the second spot in the top five.
Durant has played quite a bit of power forward with the Nets but seems poised to become a true wing again, as Ben Simmons didn't play for the Nets last season but is expected to start as a point forward in 2022-23 with Brooklyn. Durant will get to tackle mismatches relentlessly as a small forward with more length in the frontcourt. The scoring title will be well within reach for KD with a selfless and efficient playmaker like Simmons on the court. But Durant will only finish as high as his health allows him to. He will lose some rebound and assist numbers to Simmons, but that won't stop him being a top-tier option whenever he's available. Durant can average 26.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in his sleep.
DeRozan operated as more of a frontcourt player in Chicago with Lonzo Ball at point guard and Zach LaVine at shooting guard. Nevertheless, he led his team in points and assists last season while also chipping in admirably on the glass. While he might not reach the same heights in 2022-23 with healthier seasons from Ball and Patrick Williams, his change in environment proved that he can still be a first option for a playoff team that's loaded with talent.
Butler's produced at a high level during his injury-plague run with Miami so far. The two-way wing's numbers don't jump off the stat sheet when you look at them, but he's a jack of all trades who does everything the Heat need him to do. He's a reliable 20-point scorer who always also totaled 6.5 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game since taking his talents to South Beach. He's a pest on defense and his steal numbers help make up for what he lacks as a long-range shooter. Butler could have to get down and dirty a little more often now that P.J. Tucker is out of the picture, and that could result in a rebounding boost.
Small forward rankings
1. LeBron James, LAL
2. Jayson Tatum, BOS
3. Kevin Durant, BKN
4. DeMar DeRozan, CHI
5. Jimmy Butler, MIA
6. Brandon Ingram, NOP
7. Kawhi Leonard, LAC
8. Khris Middleton, MIL
9. Miles Bridges, CHA
10. Tobias Harris, PHI
11. Andrew Wiggins, GSW
12. OG Anunoby, Raptors
13. Bojan Bogdanovic, UTH
14. Keldon Johnson, SAS
15. Michael Porter Jr., DEN
16. Saddiq Bey, DET
17. Gordon Hayward, CHA
18. Harrison Barnes, SAC
19. Dillon Brooks, MEM
20. Franz Wagner, ORL
21. De'Andre Hunter, ATL
22. Jae'Sean Tate, HOU
23. Mikal Bridges, PHO
24. Jaden McDaniels, MIN
25. Cameron Johnson, PHO
26. Kelly Oubre, CHA
27. Dorian Finney-Smith, DAL
28. Herb Jones, NOP
29. Otto Porter Jr., TOR
30. Herbert Jones, NOP
31. Doug McDermott, SAS
32. Jonathan Kuminga, GSW
33. Bennedict Mathurin, IND
34. Tari Eason, HOU
35. Cam Reddish, NYK
36. Juan Toscano-Anderson
37. Rudy Gay, UTH
38. Nassir Little, POR
39. Trey Murphy, NOP
40. Ziaire Williams, MEM
41. Corey Kispert, WAS
42. Jeff Green, DEN
43. Torrey Craig, PHO
44. Georges Niang, PHI
45. Isaac Okoro, CLE
46. Joe Ingles, MIL
47. K.J. Martin, HOU
48. Kyle Anderson, MIN
49. Royce O'Neale, UTH
50. Cedi Osman, CLE
