Basketball has changed. You've heard it a million times. The era of the traditional "stay in the paint" center is mostly dead, replaced by a positionless blur where 7-footers shoot threes and point guards hunt for offensive rebounds. But through all that chaos, one thing remains true: if you don’t have good small forwards in the nba, you aren't winning a championship. It’s basically the law of the league at this point.
The small forward—the "3" in your standard 1-through-5 lineup—is the ultimate Swiss Army knife. These guys are expected to guard the opponent's best player, knock down corner threes, and create their own shots when the play breaks down. Honestly, the workload is exhausting.
Who is Actually Running the League Right Now?
If we're talking about the absolute peak of the position in early 2026, the conversation starts and ends with a few names that just refuse to go away.
LeBron James is 41. Read that again. It’s ridiculous. While he's sharing the floor with Luka Doncic now in LA—a duo that feels like a fever dream—he’s still putting up roughly 22 points and 7 assists a night. He isn't sprinting back on every defensive possession like he did in 2013, but in the half-court? He’s still a genius. He’s the "good small forward" blueprint that every team is still trying to replicate.
Then you have Jayson Tatum. Well, usually. The Celtics star has been dealing with an Achilles issue that’s kept him sidelined for stretches of this 2025-26 campaign, leaving a massive void in Boston. When he’s healthy, he’s a 27-point-per-game machine who has finally figured out how to use his size to dominate the glass. In his absence, Jaylen Brown has moved into that primary wing role, proving he can carry a team by averaging over 22 points while locking down the other team's best perimeter threat.
The New Blood and the "Old" Reliable
The hierarchy is shifting, though. Have you seen Jalen Williams in Oklahoma City? He’s not just a "promising young player" anymore. He’s an All-NBA caliber talent who can guard basically four positions. He’s got that 7-foot-2 wingspan that makes life miserable for opposing guards. Last year, he was a huge reason why the Thunder actually pulled off a title run.
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And then there's Kevin Durant. He’s 37 and playing for the Houston Rockets. It sounds weird, but it works. With Fred VanVleet out with an ACL tear, KD has had to become a playmaker again, averaging about 4 assists to go along with his 25 points. Watching him navigate a defense is still like watching a glitch in a video game. He’s 6-foot-11 but moves like a shooting guard.
- Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic): A dark horse candidate for "best all-around wing." He’s a 6-foot-10 playmaker who can run the pick-and-roll.
- Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers): The ultimate "if he’s healthy" guy. He’s been averaging a career-high 28 points when he actually suits up, but that’s a big "when."
- Jimmy Butler (Golden State Warriors): Yeah, Jimmy in a Warriors jersey is a thing now. He’s 36, but he’s still the guy you want taking the last shot in a playoff game.
The Evolution of the 3-and-D Prototype
Not every "good" small forward needs to be a superstar. Some are just elite at their specific job. Take OG Anunoby in New York. He doesn't need 20 shots to change a game. He just needs to hit three corner triples and make the other team's star want to quit. That’s the value.
Mikal Bridges is doing the same thing for the Knicks, too. He’s the iron man of the league. He never misses games, he shoots 38% from deep, and he’s arguably the best point-of-attack defender in the Eastern Conference.
Then you have the rookies. Cooper Flagg joined the Mavericks and immediately started looking like a ten-year vet. He’s 19, but he plays with a defensive intensity that’s rare for someone his age. He’s already being talked about as one of the best small forwards in the NBA because he can protect the rim and switch onto guards without breaking a sweat.
Why Small Forwards Are So Hard to Find
The reason teams overpay for wings is simple: scarcity.
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It is easy to find a guy who is 6-foot-3 and can shoot. It is relatively easy to find a 7-footer who can block shots. It is incredibly hard to find a guy who is 6-foot-8, weighs 225 pounds, can stay in front of Ja Morant, and still hit a step-back three.
If you have a player like Trey Murphy III or Jaden McDaniels, you hold onto them. McDaniels, for instance, told reporters he tries to "ruin people's nights" on defense. That's the mentality you need. You aren't just a scorer; you're a disruptor.
How to Evaluate a Small Forward in 2026
When you're looking at the stats for good small forwards in the nba, don't just look at the points per game. That’s a trap. Look at the "Stocks"—steals plus blocks. A great wing should be averaging at least 1.5 of those combined.
Check their True Shooting percentage (TS%). In today's league, if a small forward is below 58% TS, they're probably taking too many "hero ball" shots. Guys like Michael Porter Jr. (now in Brooklyn) have survived because their shooting efficiency is so high, even if their defense is... well, let's call it "developing."
- Defensive Versatility: Can they switch a 1-4 screen?
- Spacing: Do defenders leave them to double-team the center?
- Secondary Playmaking: Can they pass out of a double-team?
What’s Next for the Position?
The trend isn't slowing down. We’re seeing more "Point Forwards" than ever. Guys like Brandon Ingram—who’s trying to find a second wind in Toronto—are basically oversized point guards.
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The league is currently obsessed with "length." If you’re a small forward under 6-foot-6, you better be as strong as a tank (like Josh Hart) or as fast as a lightning bolt. Otherwise, you’re going to get hunted on the defensive end.
The best way to track these players is to watch their impact on "Net Rating." The Thunder are +6.7 points better per 100 possessions when Jimmy Butler is on the floor. That's the real mark of a "good" player. It’s not just the highlight dunks; it’s the rotations and the "boring" stuff that wins games.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for Jayson Tatum as the playoffs approach. If he isn't 100%, the landscape for small forwards in the East changes completely. If you're building a fantasy team or just trying to win an argument at the bar, prioritize the guys who can play both ways. Points are flashy, but stops are what get you a ring.
Check the upcoming free agent market in the summer of 2026. Names like Khris Middleton and Andrew Wiggins will be available, and even at their age, they'll command huge money because every team is desperate for wing depth. Study the "Net Rating" of these players on sites like Cleaning the Glass to see who is actually contributing to wins versus who is just putting up empty calories on a bad team.