Positionless basketball is a lie. Or at least, it’s not the whole truth. If you look at the current crop of good power forwards in the nba, you’ll realize the position hasn't vanished—it just ate every other position on the floor.
Twenty years ago, a power forward was a guy who hit you in the chest, grabbed ten rebounds, and maybe hit a 15-foot jumper if his coach was feeling spicy. Today? He's a 7-foot point guard. He's a Defensive Player of the Year candidate who also shoots 38% from deep. He’s Giannis. He’s Paolo. It’s getting weird out there, and frankly, it’s the most interesting part of the league right now.
The Unstoppable Standard: Giannis and the Elite
Giannis Antetokounmpo is still the "final boss" of this category. Even at 31, the guy is putting up video game numbers. We’re talking 29.1 points and nearly 10 boards a night for a Milwaukee team that’s been, honestly, a bit of a mess lately. But you can't blame the Greek Freak. His effective field goal percentage is sitting at a ridiculous 66.4% this season.
He’s the yardstick. If you’re a young four in this league, you’re basically asking yourself: "Can I stop that guy from teleporting from the three-point line to the rim in two steps?" Usually, the answer is no.
Then you have the "old" guard that refuses to age. Kevin Durant is 37 and somehow still one of the most efficient scorers on the planet while playing for Houston. It’s wild. And LeBron? He’s 40 and still logging heavy minutes at the four for the Lakers. The longevity is reaching "science experiment" levels of absurdity.
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The Real Tiers of Power Forward Excellence
- The MVP Tier: Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), Anthony Davis (DAL).
- The "Next Up" Tier: Paolo Banchero (ORL), Evan Mobley (CLE), Scottie Barnes (TOR).
- The Specialists: Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM) for defense, Aaron Gordon (DEN) for the "dirty work."
Why Paolo Banchero Is Everyone’s Favorite Breakout
If you haven't been watching the Orlando Magic, you’re missing the evolution of the modern forward. Paolo Banchero is basically a 6'10" tank with the passing vision of a seasoned floor general. Before he got banged up earlier this season, he dropped 50 on the Pacers. 50!
He’s averaging about 8.7 rebounds and nearly 5 assists. That’s the "Point Forward" archetype perfected. The Magic are actually winning games because Paolo and Franz Wagner create mismatches that most teams literally don't have the personnel to cover. Most good power forwards in the nba can either score or pass; Paolo is rapidly becoming elite at both.
The Defensive Disrupters: Jaren Jackson Jr. and Evan Mobley
Defense at the four is a different beast now. You can't just park in the paint. You have to be able to switch onto a guy like De'Aaron Fox and not get turned into a highlight reel.
Jaren Jackson Jr. in Memphis is still the king of the "get that out of here" block. He’s averaging 1.5 blocks and nearly a steal a game. People give him grief for not rebounding like a traditional big (only 5.7 per game), but that’s because he’s busy erasing mistakes on the perimeter.
Over in Cleveland, Evan Mobley is the reason that team is a defensive nightmare. He’s got that rare "octopus" reach. He covers ground so fast it feels like there are two of him. Last year’s DPOY win wasn't a fluke; he's the prototype for what a defensive power forward looks like in 2026.
The Zion Williamson Conundrum
We have to talk about Zion. It's the law of NBA discourse.
When he’s on the floor, he’s a 280-pound glitch in the matrix. He’s averaging about 21.8 points and 5.6 rebounds this January after coming back from an adductor strain. The problem—and it’s a big one—is that "when he's on the floor" part. He's missed a massive chunk of games again this year.
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The Pelicans are a completely different team without him (3-13 in games he sits). It’s the ultimate high-risk, high-reward situation. He’s arguably a top-five talent at the position, but the best ability is availability, and that's the one thing he hasn't mastered yet.
The Modern "Glue" Guys
Not every great power forward needs to be a 25-point scorer. Look at Aaron Gordon in Denver or Josh Hart in New York.
Gordon is the unsung hero of the Nuggets’ system. He guards the opponent's best player, cuts to the rim when Jokic looks his way, and hits just enough corner threes to stay honest. Then you have Josh Hart, who is basically a power forward trapped in a guard’s body. He’s averaging nearly 10 rebounds a game. 10! As a guy who often plays the four in small-ball lineups, that’s just pure hustle.
Stats That Actually Matter for Forwards Right Now
- Switchability: Can they guard 1 through 5?
- Corner 3%: If they can't space the floor, they're clogging the lane for the stars.
- Secondary Playmaking: Can they make the "extra pass" when the double team comes?
Where the Position Is Heading
The future looks like Victor Wembanyama, even if we can't decide if he’s a center or a forward. He’s listed as a C/PF, and against the Bucks recently, he was flying around the perimeter like a wing. He’s averaging 24 points, 11 rebounds, and almost 3 blocks.
The distinction between "big" and "wing" is officially dead. The good power forwards in the nba moving forward will be the guys who can do everything. You need to be able to bring the ball up the floor, hit a step-back three, and then go down and protect the rim. It’s a ridiculous ask, but that’s the level of talent we’re seeing.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're trying to figure out which teams have the edge based on their frontcourt, look past the PPG. Focus on Defensive Box Plus-Minus (DBPM) and Assists per 36 minutes.
- Watch the Magic: See how Banchero initiates the offense. It's the blueprint for the next decade.
- Monitor the Trade Deadline: Keep an eye on the Pelicans. If they decide the Zion experiment is over, the power forward market will explode.
- Draft Watch: Look for "tweeners"—guys who were once called "too small for center, too big for wing." In 2026, those are the most valuable players in the draft.
The power forward isn't dead. It's just evolved into the most versatile role on the hardwood. Whether it's the brute force of Giannis or the finesse of Banchero, the "four" is where the most dynamic basketball is happening right now.