The perfect position for players capable of being just as dangerous from up close as they are from afar, the right small forward can provide you with a lot of breathing room in NBA 2K26.
But thanks to that, knowing which among the league’s biggest names managed to win the top spot is a must when looking to build the perfect team. So you can see who takes on the throne, here are the 10 best small forwards in NBA 2K26.
The 10 Best Small Forwards In NBA 2K26, Ranked
True to what many were expecting, LeBron James’ 94 OVR sees the King take the spot as the highest-rated small forward in NBA 2K26, even if many might argue that the latter is no longer his primary position. Following James, we then have Boston Celtics’ ace Jayson Tatum, also boasting a 94, and the Houston Rockets’ new hope, Kevin Durant, with 93. Kawhi Leonard, Jaylen Brown, and Jimmy Butler then close out the game’s top six with 92, 90, and 87 ratings, respectively.
To recap and add to the above, here are the 10 best small forwards in NBA 2K26, as revealed by 2K’s top 100 male players list. Keep in mind, though, that a few small forwards are also known for being excellent PFs, which means many within our top 5 can also be spotted among 2K26‘s top picks for the position.
| Player (Team) | OVR |
|---|---|
| 1. LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) | 94 |
| 2. Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) | 94 |
| 3. Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets) | 93 |
| 4. Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers) | 92 |
| 5. Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics) | 90 |
| 6. Jimmy Butler III (Golden State Warriors) | 87 |
| 7. Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets) | 87 |
| 8. Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic) | 86 |
| 9. DeMar DeRozan (Sacramento Kings) | 85 |
| 10. OG Anunoby (New York Knicks) | 85 |
Although not part of the game’s top 10, I also find it important to single out the 2025 number one draft pick Cooper Flagg, who, even as a rookie, managed to clinch a spot within the position’s top 15 with an 82 OVR.
Now that you know who excels among the game’s small forwards, we also highly recommend that you take a look at The Best Shooting Guards In NBA 2K26. If you are like me and can’t wait for the game’s release, make sure to also check out When Does Early Access Start and all of the tracks part of NBA 2K26‘s newly announced soundtrack.
