Top 10 NBA small forwards heading into 2026-27 season

Small forward is still one of the most important positions in the NBA. To win today, you need wings who can get a bucket, lock down the other team’s best player, handle the ball and set up teammates. The best ones can easily slide up or down a spot whenever the situation changes.

Heading into the 2026-27 season, the talent at the position is as deep as ever. A few guys are hitting their prime after huge breakout years. Some veterans are still dominating even as they get older, and a handful of young stars have already earned their spot near the top.

Last season gave us a clear picture of how they stack up. When putting this list together, we looked at scoring, playmaking, defense, outside shooting and overall winning impact, along with staying healthy and on the floor.

So, let’s have a look at who we can count on heading into the 2026-27 season.

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Los Angeles Clippers forward Brandon Ingram (7) during media day at Intuit Dome. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Brandon Ingram remains one of the more reliable scoring forwards in the NBA. He sustained his trademark mid-range game while shooting 38.2 percent from 3-point range.

That outside shot gives him more room to work with the ball. His 21.5 points per game also show that he can still carry a steady scoring load. Ingram adds 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.

His length helps him on the perimeter as well. The move to Los Angeles gives the Clippers a proven offensive option on the wing. He can create his own shot and give the team consistent scoring.

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Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) dribbles two basketballs during Media Day at the Chase Center. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Jimmy Butler brings a different style to the position. His scoring volume is lower than some players on this list, but his overall impact remains high.

The 37-year-old averaged 20 points last season while shooting 51.9 percent from the field. He also posted 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. His 37.6 percent 3-point shooting and 86.4 percent free-throw shooting added more value.

Defense remains one of his biggest strengths. Butler is still one of the NBA’s toughest point-of-attack defenders. His physical drives also make him difficult to handle.

Butler played just 38 games in 2025-26 due to a torn ACL and will miss the first few months of the new season. When he returns, Golden State gets a player who can defend, create and attack the rim. His playoff record also gives him extra value when the games matter most.

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Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) walks off the court after the game against the Detroit Pistons during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Franz Wagner continues to grow into a major offensive role for Orlando. He played 34 games last season and averaged 30 minutes per game.

His 20.6 points came on 48.1 percent shooting from the field. Wagner also shot 34.5 percent from three and 82.3 percent from the free-throw line. He added 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 0.9 steals per game.

The Magic gave him a massive $224 million extension because of what he can become. Wagner has also shown stretches where his scoring moved beyond 24 points per game.

His ability to handle the ball makes him even more useful. He can drive downhill, create offense and score without needing a traditional point guard beside him.

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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Cooper Flagg wasted little time making an impact in Dallas. The NBA Rookie of the Year averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.

His 46.8 percent shooting shows he can produce efficiently while carrying a sizeable offensive role. Flagg also averaged 0.9 blocks per game from the wing.

His defense is a big reason he’s so valuable. He knows how to protect the rim, but he can also step outside and guard on the perimeter, giving Dallas another flexible piece on that end of the floor.

Flagg also proved he can create his own shot when needed. The fact that he’s doing all this at such a young age makes it even more impressive. Heading into the new season, he’s easily one of the most exciting young players to watch at his position.

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half in game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

LeBron James will turn 42 this season, yet his production remains strong. He averaged 20.9 points and shot 51.5 percent from the field last season.

His passing remains a major part of his game. James averaged 7.2 assists while pulling down 6.1 rebounds per game. That playmaking ability separates him from most forwards.

A late-summer move to Philadelphia gives him a new setting for the 2026-27 season. His athleticism is not what it was during his peak years, but his basketball IQ remains elite.

James has also adjusted his perimeter game with age. His ability to read defenses and make the right play keeps him among the NBA’s best forwards.

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Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks on from the court during the final minutes of Game 2 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Kevin Durant is still one of the easiest scoring bets in the NBA. He might be with the Houston Rockets now, but his offensive game hasn’t changed. Even without peak burst, defenders simply can’t touch his high-release jump shot.

The numbers back up why he is an easy top-five pick. Last season, Durant poured in 26 points per game on elite 52 percent shooting from the field and 41.3 percent from three. His 87.4 percent free-throw clip keeps defenses honest, while 4.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds show he does far more than just score.

Most importantly, he proved he can still shoulder a heavy workload. Durant suited up for 78 games, logging 36.4 minutes a night with a solid +4.4 plus-minus. That kind of durability, mixed with high-volume, hyper-efficient scoring, makes him an good wing option heading into 2026-27.

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Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) poses for a photo at media day. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Jalen Johnson took a massive step forward last season. He averaged 22.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 48.9 percent from the floor.

What really sets him apart is his passing. Dishing out 7.9 assists a night means he can run the offense, not just score. Averaging a double-double gives Atlanta a huge boost on the glass, and his size and quick feet let him guard several positions.

With his game expanding every year, he heads into the new season as one of the best all-around young forwards in basketball.

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Portland Trail Blazers small forward Deni Avdija (8) during the second half of Game 5 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Deni Avdija took a huge step forward with Portland. He averaged 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game.

The biggest change came in his offensive role. Avdija became a much bigger part of Portland’s playmaking. Nearly seven assists per game shows how comfortable he became with the ball.

His 46.2 percent shooting also allowed him to maintain strong scoring production. He can attack the basket, create for teammates and help control the offense.

That mix makes Avdija one of the most versatile forwards in the league. His growth has also moved him into a different tier heading into the new season.

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Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) talks to the media during Toronto Raptors-Media Day at Hotel-X. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Kawhi Leonard remains one of the NBA’s best two-way players when he is on the floor. He averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists last season.

His shooting was also excellent. Leonard hit 50.5 percent of his field-goal attempts and 38.7 percent of his threes.

Durability is still the biggest question surrounding him. His injury history makes availability a constant part of the discussion.

When healthy, though, Leonard remains a problem for opponents. His defensive IQ is elite, while his size and strength make him a tough game. He can create his own shot and defend top offensive players. That two-way impact keeps him near the top of the position.

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Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown (7) battles for position against New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson (00) during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Jaylen Brown takes the top spot after leading all small forwards in scoring last season. His 28.7 points per game set the statistical standard for the position.

He also averaged 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists. Brown shot 47.7 percent from the field while carrying a major offensive role for Boston before heading to Philadelphia in an offseason trade.

His growth has been clear since his 2024 NBA Finals MVP performance. Brown has become a stronger three-level scorer and a more dependable creator. He can attack the rim, score from the mid-range, and knock down outside shots.

Defense is another reason he sits at No. 1. Brown remains an elite point-of-attack defender and can take on difficult perimeter assignments.

His combination of scoring, defense, and playoff experience gives him the strongest overall case at small forward.

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