Top 50 Small Forwards in NBA History: King James Takes the Throne (2024)

1. LeBron James

The question shouldn’t be whether LeBron James is the greatest small forward of all time, but rather if he is the greatest basketball player in the game’s history. James has surpassed all of his adversaries on this list, as he is the only player to rank in the top 15 in points, assists, and steals. James is by far the best passer at the position and has the most assists per game averages (7.3) of any player on this list. James has always been a highly efficient player and holds a career 50.5 shooting percentage from the field. In addition to his four MVP trophies, James is a 19-time All-Star and four-time world champion. James is the NBA’s leading scorer of all time and many fans don’t even view him as a “scorer.” That’s how great he is.

2. Larry Bird

Bird’s greatness on the basketball court far exceeds his scoring ability, as Bird also had averages of 10 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. In addition to James, Bird is the only other player on this list to average better than six assists per game for his entire career. He also has the third-most All-Star appearances of any player on this list and won three titles with the Boston Celtics. In his three championships, Bird was awarded MVP of the Finals twice and is one of only four players to have won the award more than once. Including his three rings and MVP trophies, Bird was a 12-time All-Star and a 10-time All-NBA member.

3. Kevin Durant

Along with LeBron James, Durant is the only active player to make the top five on this list. If Durant retired today, he would be in the conversation as the greatest scorer in NBA history. Standing at seven-feet tall, Durant is unlike any player we’ve ever seen. With a silky-smooth jump shot and a guard’s handle, he can score at all three levels with ease. Durant has averaged over 27 points per game on nearly 50 percent shooting in his career, which has helped him make 13 All-Star appearances and ten All-NBA Teams. In his time with the Golden State Warriors, Durant dominated the playoffs and won two titles and Finals MVPs, despite sharing the floor with Steph Curry.

4. Julius Erving

Dr. J remains one of the most exciting high-flyers in NBA history. Erving holds ridiculous averages of 24.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game in his illustrious career. He’s tied for the most All-Star game appearances on this list with 16 and won four MVP awards. Erving also won four championships, including one during his time in the ABA. Had Erving played in the NBA for his entire career, he might rank even higher on this list.

5. Scottie Pippen

While Pippen’s numbers aren’t as impressive as the players above him on this list, Pippen’s impact on winning is his best calling card. He’s a six-time NBA Champion and was known as Michael Jordan’s sidekick. Jordan himself stated that none of his championships were possible without Pippen’s contributions to Chicago’s success. While Pippen was a great all-around player, he’s known most for his silky-smooth scoring style and defense. Pippen was a 7-time All-Star and 10-time All-Defensive team member.

6. Kawhi Leonard

In just nine NBA seasons, Leonard has already compiled a resume that most players only dream of achieving. Since entering the NBA in 2011, we’ve seen Leonard make the jump from rotation player to starter to one of the best two-way players the league has ever seen. Leonard is already a five-time All-Star, an All-Star game MVP, a seven-time All-Defensive team member, a two-time DPOY, a two-time Champion, and a two-time Finals MVP. In 2019, Leonard carried the Toronto Raptors to their first-ever championship in franchise history and had a playoff performance for the ages.

7. John Havlicek

Havlicek is one of the more decorated players on this list. Despite never winning an MVP award, Havlicek went on to make 13 All-Star appearances and won All-Star MVP twice. He’s also 18th on the all-time scoring list and won 8 championships during his career- the most on this list. In addition to his All-Star appearances, Havlicek also made 11 All-NBA teams.

8. Elgin Baylor

Baylor remained one of his generation’s best scorers and was one of the best in the NBA before the three-point shot was introduced. He holds career averages of 27.4 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. Despite not making the top 25 scoring list, Baylor would be on the list if the three-point shot had been counted during his playing career. Surprisingly, Baylor never won an MVP or championship but made the All-Star game 11 times and the All-NBA team ten times. The Lakers legend also holds the sixth-best scoring performance, as he put up 71 points in a single game in 1960.

9. Paul Pierce

As Pierce was known to basketball fans, “The Truth” was one of the most clutch performers in NBA history. In addition to his playoff heroics, Pierce won a championship with the Boston Celtics and ended his career as number 15 on the all-time scoring list; he has since dropped to 17th, which is still a marvelous ranking to hold. Pierce was also a ten-time All-Star and won Finals MVP during his lone championship win with the Celtics.

10. Dominique Wilkins

Like Julius Erving, Dominique Wilkins might be more known for his ferocious dunks than his basketball talented, but he was still highly talented. In his 16-year career, Dominique cemented himself amongst the NBA’s elite, making nine All-Star teams and winning a scoring title in 1985. Wilkins is also a seven-time All-NBA Team member and averaged 24.8 points per game throughout his career. Despite being a terrific scorer and player, Wilkins’ lack of team accolades hurts his overall ranking a bit. In his prime with the Atlanta Hawks, Wilkins failed to win any championships with the team. Still, he sustained individual greatness, including a 15th-place finish in all-time scoring.

11. Rick Barry

Barry is known for his famous underhanded free-throw shooting mechanics and finished as an 89.3 percent shooter from the foul line, which is still amongst the highest career percentages in history. Barry is also one of the best scorers of all time and averaged 24.8 points per game on 45.6 percent shooting from the field. Barry made the All-Star game twelve times in his career and also earned All-NBA honors ten times.

12. James Worthy

Another Laker legend on this list, “Big Game James,” was a seven-time All-Star and played all twelve seasons with the Lakers. During his seven consecutive All-Star appearances, Worthy averaged better than 19 points, 4.5 rebounds, and a steal per game. In his 12-year career, Worthy would win three titles with the Lakers, including the 1987 Finals MVP, which cemented Worthy among the other Laker greats.

13. Carmelo Anthony

Melo was one of the most dominant scorers in NBA history. Entering the league in 2003 with LeBron James, Carmelo went on to average 22.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. In his 19-year career, Anthony would make ten All-Star appearances, win a scoring title. Melo put up at least 25 per game in nine seasons, including 28.7 points per game in 2012. Anthony currently sits at ninth all-time in scoring, and although he has never won a championship, Anthony has all the makings of an incredible Hall of Fame career.

14. Paul Arizin

Arizin is very much unknown to NBA fans of the modern era since he played many decades before they were born. Before joining the US Marine Corps, Arizin was one of the NBA’s best players from 1950-1962. In his twelve-year career, he made ten All-Star appearances and won a title with the Philadelphia Warriors. His career averages include 22.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.

15. Paul George

George, another current player in the NBA, has had an exceptional career. He’s an eight-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA team member. PG is one of the better two-way players in the league today and is also a four-time All-Defensive team member. In the 2018-19 season, George solidified himself among the NBA’s elite when he recorded a top-three finish in the MVP voting. That season, he posted 28 points, 8.2 rebounds, and a league-leading 2.2 steals per game. Should George continue his stellar play and produce some team success in addition to his awards, he could push his way even higher on this list.

16. Bernard King

One of the best players in New York Knicks franchise history, Bernard King, was a prolific scorer throughout his career. In his 14-year career, King posted averages of 22.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. King made four All-Star and All-NBA appearances and won the scoring title in 1984 while putting up a staggering 32.9 points per game. Bernard is amongst the most underrated players of all time.

17. Jimmy Butler

More than offensive or defensive statistics, Jimmy Butler is known for dragging multiple average, at best, Miami Heat teams to the NBA Finals, where they were eventually bested by teams that simply had much more firepower. Butler is a six-time NBA All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection, and five-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection; he is very decorated with individual accolades but his “win at all costs” mentality is what catapults him into the top ten on this list.

18. Adrian Dantley

Although few fans today know much about Dantley, he is regarded as one of his era’s best scorers. Throughout his career, Dantley averaged better than 20 points per game thirteen times, including four straight seasons of at least 30 points per game. Dantley finished his 17-year career as a two-time scoring champ, a six-time All-Star, and made the All-NBA team twice. As a rookie in 1976, Dantley posted 20.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game and won ROY. He would average 24.3 points per game on 54 percent shooting from the floor and was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame.

19. Alex English

English is one of the best scorers in NBA history. He ended his 16-year career as the 20th-highest scorer in league history and averaged better than 21 points per game throughout his career. In addition to winning a scoring title in 1982, English was an eight-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA member. The 6’7” wing cemented his place as the best Denver Nugget in franchise history and is a member of the NBA Hall of Fame.

20. Chris Mullin

Mullin made a name for himself as part of the Run TMC trio with Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond. One of the best Warriors of all time, Mullin was a silk-smooth lefty who could score at all three levels. He’s a career 18.2 points per game scorer and was also a tremendous shooter, having posted an 86.5 free-throw percentage and shot 38.4 percent from downtown. The Hall of Famer was a 5-time All-Star and 4-time All-NBA team member.

21. Cliff Hagan

Hagan carved out a Hall of Fame career for the St. Louis Hawks and Dallas Chaparrals during 13 seasons. While Hagan is mostly known for being a part of the worst trade of all time (when St. Louis traded the draft rights to Bill Russell for Hagan and Ed Macauley), he is still a Hall of Fame player in his own right, winning an NBA Championship over the Celtics in 1958 and making five NBA All-Star teams.

22. Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum is still a young player in the NBA, with a large portion of his career left to be played; however, he still makes this list due to his outrageous scoring ability and leadership qualities. Tatum is already a four-time NBA All-Star, including an All-Star Game MVP and three All-NBA Team selections. While Tatum and the Celtics lost to the Golden State Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals, he should have plenty more opportunities to add team successes to his resume before all is said and done.

23. Grant Hill

Like McGrady, Grant Hill was another player whose career was cut short due to injuries. After winning co-ROY honors in 1994, Hill went on to be a seven-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA team member. In his first six NBA seasons, Hill averaged better than 19 points and six rebounds per game. Hill finished his career in 2012 and would secure a spot in the NBA Hall of Fame.

24. Billy Cunningham

Billy Cunningham was one of the more talented players of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Cunningham was a career 21.2 point-per-game scorer and averaged better than 22 points per game in five consecutive seasons. Cunningham is a five-time All-Star and won an NBA Championship in 1966 with the Philadelphia 76ers. In addition to his one championship ring, Cunningham is also a four-time All-NBA Team member and won the league’s MVP award in 1972.

25. Glen Rice

Glen Rice will go down as one of the best shooters to ever play the game. A career 40 percent shooter from deep before the league shifted to being a three-point-heavy league, Rice had six seasons where he put up better than 20 points a night. His career averages include 18.3 points per game and an 84.6 percent clip from the free-throw line. Rice was a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA team member. In 1996, Rice’s performance in the All-Star game earned him MVP honors. Rice also won an NBA Championship in 1999 as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

26. Jamaal Wilkes

Another Laker great on this list, Jamaal Wilkes, was one of the better two-way players of his era. Wilkes entered the NBA in 1974 with the Golden State Warriors and won ROY honors while averaging 14.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. In twelve NBA seasons, Wilkes was a three-time All-Star and a two-time All-Defensive team member. He also won three championships with the Lakers and is a member of the NBA Hall of Fame.

27. Bob Dandridge

Bob Dandridge was an immediate impact player from Day 1 in the NBA; he made the NBA’s All-Rookie Team in his first year and then averaged just shy of 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Milwaukee Bucks‘ 1971 Championship team that featured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) and Oscar Robertson in just his season. Dandridge went on to make four All-Star teams, an All-NBA team, and an All-Defensive team throughout his career.

28. Chet Walker

In 13 NBA seasons, Chet Walker amassed seven All-Star selections and was an NBA champion in 1967 with the Philadelphia 76ers. Walker was a terrific scorer, even posting just shy of 20 points per game in his last season in the NBA before retiring. While Walker did not play during the three-point era, his shooting efficiency (47% career shooter) during that time period was fantastic for a small forward.

29. Connie Hawkins

Had Connie Hawkins not been blackballed from the NBA for a number of seasons early in his career due to a point-shaving investigation that did not even result in an indictment, he would have likely ended as one of the greatest NBA players of all time. The NBA eventually settled with Hawkins, knowing that they would not win the lawsuit that Hawkins and his lawyer filed but that could not change the time that was missed.Hawkins was 27 years old before he even stepped on an NBA floor and had just recovered from a knee injury; he still posted roughly 25 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Hawkins is considered one of the best rebounding small forwards ever.

30. George Yardley

A six-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection, and a one-time NBA scoring champion, George Yardley had a remarkable career despite only playing in the league for seven seasons. Yardley nearly averaged 20 points per game for his career and was amongst the best scorers of the 1950s.

31. Jack Twyman

Twyman was one of the best scorers of the late 1950s and early 1960s. From 1956-1963, Twyman would average better than 16 points per game, including a career-high 31.2 points per game during the 1959-60 season. Twyman was a six-time All-Star selection and was later inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame.

32. Peja Stojaković

Stojaković finished his career after the 2010 season as one of the best three-point marksmen and pure shooters in NBA history. He’s a career 40.1 percent three-point shooter and 89.5 percent shooter from the foul line. Aside from his tremendous shooting ability, Stojaković was also a terrific scorer, as he averaged better than 18 points per game seven times. Stojaković was also a three-time All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks in his final NBA season in 2010.

33. Shawn Marion

As Marion was called throughout his career, “The Matrix” remains one of the steadiest players in NBA history. Although he wasn’t amongst the best scorers or rebounders in NBA history, Marion proved to be a terrific all-around player. Marion ranked 19th in career steals and had seven seasons in which he recorded at least two steals per game. In his 18 seasons in the NBA, Marion failed to average double-digit points only once and averaged better than 15 points nine times. At 6’7”, Marion was a terrific rebounder for his position and had a career average of 8.7 rebounds per game. He finished his career as a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA team member. Marion also won a championship with the Dallas Mavericks during the 2010-11 season.

34. Mark Aguirre

Aguirre was a terrific scorer for the Dallas Mavericks during the early 1980s. In his seven and a half seasons as a Mavericks, Aguirre averaged better than 20 points per game seven times. His best season came in 1983 when he put up 29.5 points per game and 5.9 rebounds on 52.8 percent shooting from the field. In his 14-year career, Aguirre was a three-time All-Star and a two-time NBA Champion.

35. Ron Artest

One of the premier perimeter defenders at the position, Artest was a four-time All-Defensive team member and was known for his aggressive and gritty play on the defensive end. Artest made one All-Star game appearance and also won Defensive Player of the Year in 2003. In addition to his stellar defense, Artest was also a reliable scorer during the first half of his career as he averaged better than 15 points per game in ten NBA seasons. As a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009, Artest won his only NBA Title against the Boston Celtics, and his clutch three in the late stages of Game 7 remains one of the most significant shots in NBA Finals history.

36. Andre Iguodala

In the later stages of his NBA career, Iguodala’s veteran leadership and championship experience are his calling cards. However, Iggy was an exceptional scorer and defender early on in his career. With the Philadelphia 76ers, Iguodala had four consecutive seasons of at least 15 points per game and made his only All-Star appearance in 2011. The three-time NBA Champion is also a two-time All-Defensive team selection and won Finals MVP in 2015 for the Golden State Warriors.

37. Khris Middleton

While spending much of his career as an above-average starter, Middleton has transformed himself into an All-Star player, making three All-Star teams and winning an NBA Championship with the Milwaukee Bucks as the second scoring option to Giannis Antetokounmpo; he had numerous games where his exceptional scoring and shooting abilties were on display. In his career, Middleton has put up about 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game while helping the Milwaukee Bucks become championship contenders for the past handful of seasons.

38. Marques Johnson

Johnson finished his impressive NBA career as one of the top scorers from 1977-1986. In all but two of those seasons, Johnson averaged at least 19 points per game six times. He also made the All-Star game five times and the All-NBA team three times during his career. His number 8 is retired by the Milwaukee Bucks for his contributions during his career.

39. Glenn Robinson

“Big Dog” was a menace in college for the Purdue Boilermakers, which resulted in him being selected first overall in the 1994 NBA Draft. Robinson’s career lasted over a decade, playing for four teams and winning one NBA Championship in that stretch. Glenn made two All-Star teams and was a career 21-point-per-game scorer.

40. Dan Majerle

During his time in Phoenix, Majerle was a terrific two-way wing for the Suns. In six of his seven seasons as a Sun, Majerle averaged at least 10 points, 3.5 rebounds, and two assists per game. He made the All-Star game three times and was an All-Defensive team selection twice.

41. Kiki Vandeweghe

Throughout his 14-year career, Vandeweghe was a consistent scorer who put 19.7 points per game. The two-time All-Star recorded seven seasons of at least 20 points per game, including a career-high 29.4 during the 1983-84 season with the Denver Nuggets. Throughout his career, Vandeweghe was highly efficient as a shooter, posting a 52.5 percent shooting percentage from the field and shooting 87.5 percent from the charity stripe.

42. Andrew Wiggins

Much like other former No. 1 overall picks, Wiggins was trapped in the beginning of his career by expectations that would be nearly impossible to meet. However, Wiggins has carved out a terrific career already, making an NBA All-Star team in 2022 and winning an NBA Championship in the same year for the Golden State Warriors. While Wiggins used to be a liability on the defensive end of the floor, he has rebranded himself for Golden State. With his exceptional athleticism, solid three-point shooting, and crafty finishing ability, he has averaged at least 16.9 points per game in every season he has played.

43. Richard Jefferson

Jefferson spent the latter half of his career as a role player, but RJ was a force on the offensive end during his tenure with the New Jersey Nets. From 2002-2008, Jefferson averaged better than 15 points per game, including a career-high 22.6 per game during the 2007 season. Jefferson also won an NBA Championship as a key rotational piece with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015.

44. Shane Battier

Throughout his career, Battier was known for his stellar defense and three-point stroke. Battier is a lifetime 38.4 percent shooter from deep and was a two-time All-Defensive team member. While his prime years were with the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets, Battier won two titles as a member of the Miami Heat towards the end of his career.

45. Bruce Bowen

Like Artest, Bowen was an excellent defender throughout the entirety of his career. Known for his time with the San Antonio Spurs, Bowen went on to win three NBA Championships with Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili. Bowen made the All-Defensive team eight times in his 14 NBA seasons, solidifying himself as one of the best lockdown defenders ever to step foot on a basketball court.

46. Brandon Ingram

Lofty expectations out of college, including being labeled “the next Kevin Durant,” have clouded the terrific impact Brandon Ingram has had at the NBA level. Objectively, Ingram is amongst the best scorers in the NBA and had his best season in 2023, when he averaged roughly 25 points per game on 48.4% shooting from the field and 39% from behind the arc. Ingram is an NBA All-Star and won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in 2020. If he can stay healthy, he will have a fantastic career.

47. Rudy Gay

As of 2023, Rudy Gay is amongst the oldest and most well-respected players in the NBA. Gay has been able to carve out a solid, long NBA career due to his athleticism, finishing ability, and IQ. While Gay has never made an All-Star team or won an NBA Championship (yet), he averaged at least 19 points in nine NBA seasons.

48. Stephen Jackson

Jackson was one of the best second-round picks of all time. In his prime, Jackson was a 20-point-per-game scorer for the Warriors, Pacers, and Spurs. He scored more than 20 points per game in four separate seasons and won a ring with the San Antonio Spurs in 2002.

49. Rashard Lewis

Lewis entered the league in 1998 as a 19-year-old rookie and was mainly a role player until his third NBA season. From that point forward, Lewis remained a solid starter and averaged 20 points per game three times in his career. Lewis was also an exceptional shooter from three-point range and finished his career with a 38.6 percent mark behind the arc. The two-time All-Star also won an NBA Championship as a member of the Miami Heat during the 2012-13 season.

50. Detlef Schrempf

Detlef Schrempf was amongst the first 6-foot-10 small forwards, paving the way for taller players in the future to step beyond the arc more if they had the capability to do so. Schrempf was a career 42.9% three-point shooter, which makes him one of the best marksmen to ever play in the NBA. This was particularly impressive during his era, as three-point shooting was not nearly as popularized and important in the game as it is today. Schrempf was a three-time All-Star and a two-time Sixth Man of the Year award winner.