2025 Fantasy Basketball Small Forward Rankings

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: September 19, 2025.

LeBron James, SF, Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James had 24.4 points per game, 8.2 assists per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, and a 51.3 field goal percentage. LeBron has been in the NBA for twenty two years since being drafted first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft and he's still the NBA's best small forward twenty one years later. LeBron James is my only first round small forward in Fantasy Basketball.
Kevin Durant, SF, Houston Rockets

Kevin Durant had 26.6 points per game, 6 rebounds per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, and a 52.7 field goal percentage in Phoenix. Kevin Durant has been the second best small forward in the NBA behind LeBron James since 2009. Kevin Durant is my only second round small forward in Fantasy Basketball.
Jalen Williams, SF, Oklahoma City Thunder

Jalen Williams broke out last year with 21.6 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, and 5.1 assists per game. Jalen Williams is one of two small forwards that I have a third round grade on in Fantasy Basketball.
Jaylen Brown, SF, Boston Celtics

Jaylen Brown was the 2024 NBA Finals MVP. Jaylen Brown had 22.2 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, and 4.5 points per game last year. His numbers might go up with Jayson Tatum out for the season recovering from a torn achilles. Jaylen Brown is the other small forward that I have a third round grade on in Fantasy Basketball.
Franz Wagner, SF, Orlando Magic

Franz Wagner had 24.2 poitns per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, and 4.7 assists per game last year. Franz Wagner isn't just a top 5 small forward, he's one of two fourth round small forwards in Fantasy Basketball.
Kawhi Leonard, SF, Los Angeles Clippers

Kawhi Leonard had 21.5 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, and 3.1 assists per game last year. Kawhi Leonard is one of two small forwards that I got a fourth round grade on. Rumors about injuries, retirement, and an investigation make this a risky pick. If Leonard is cleared of his investigation he should have a dominant season though.
Brandon Miller, SF, Charlotte Hornets

Brandon Miller had 21 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, and 3.6 assists per game in 27 games before a season ending injury. Brandon Miller played 74 games as a rookie, but only had 17.3 points per game. Brandon Miller could break out if he plays as many games as he did as a rookie while matching or improving his points per game total in his third season with the Charlotte Hornets. That is why he is the second of three fifth round small forwards in Fantasy Basketball.
Jimmy Butler, SF, Golden State Warriors

Jimmy Butler only averaged 17.5 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game, and 5.4 assists per game. He is capable of averaging 20 points per game if something happens to Steph Curry at point guard on Golden State. Jimmy Butler is my final fifth round small forward.
DeMar DeRozan, SF, Sacramento Kings

DeMar DeRozan had 22.2 points per game, 4.4 assists per game, and 3.9 rebounds per game. DeMar DeRozan is my only sixth round small forward in Fantasy Basketball.
Brandon Ingram, SF, Toronto Raptors

Brandon Ingram averaged 22.2 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, and 6.2 assists per game with the New Orleans Pelicans last year. His presence complimenting Scottie Barnes who moves over to power forward will only make Toronto's forward tandem that much deadlier moving forward. Brandon Ingram is one of two seventh round small forwards in Fantasy Basketball.
Deni Avdija, SF, Portland Trail Blazers

Deni Avdija is one of two players that I have a seventh round grade on in Fantasy Basketball. Deni Avdija is a reliable complimentary scorer.
Josh Hart, SF, New York Knicks

Josh Hart is a nice complimentary piece in the New York Knicks starting five at small forward. He's one of two players that I have an eighth round grade on.
Devin Vassell, SF, San Antonio Spurs

Devin Vassell is a player who can average 20 points per game. He played shooting guard his first five years as the San Antonio Spurs 2020 first round pick. With all the depth and stability that the Spurs have at both guard spots, Devin Vassell is transitioning to small forward since he can defend the 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 with the size of a small forward and elite defense. Devin Vassell is a great value pick in the eighth round.
Cooper Flagg, SF, Dallas Mavericks

Cooper Flagg dominated at Duke last year as a freshman leading Duke in points, assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals. Cooper Flagg was drafted first overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft where he will be a day 1 starter at small forward. Cooper Flagg is the only rookie that made these rankings and one of three day 1 starters from the 2025 NBA Draft. Cooper Flagg is one of two players on the Dallas Mavericks ranked in the top 100 on Fantasy Basketball websites. There's only one other Dallas Mavericks player ranked ahead of Cooper Flagg in Fantasy Basketball and its a player that I have yet to mention as Flagg is projected to have a bigger impact than both Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson as hard as that is to believe. Cooper Flagg is my only ninth round prospect at small forward in Fantasy Basketball.
Kyle Kuzma, SF, Milwaukee Bucks

Kyle Kuzma is a nice complimentary player at small forward for Milwaukee. Kyle Kuzma is the only small forward I got a tenth round grade on in Fantasy Basketball.
Cameron Johnson, SF, Denver Nuggets

Cameron Johnson comes to Denver in the Michael Porter Jr. trade where Michael Porter Jr. will move from the 3 at small forward to the 4 at power forward. Cameron Johnson replaces Michael Porter Jr. at the 3 in Denver. Cameron Johnson is one of two small forwards that I have an eleventh round grade on Fantasy Basketball.
Herbert Jones, SF, New Orleans Pelicans

Herbert Jones is a good complimentary scorer on the New Orleans Pelicans. He only played twenty games last year which is why he's ranked lower than most small forwards on this list. Herbert Jones might have a bounce back season which is why he is the second small forward I got an eleventh round grade on in Fantasy Basketball.
Andrew Wiggins, SF, Miami Heat

Golden State traded Andrew Wiggins to Miami to get Jimmy Butler. Andrew Wiggins has a chance to be the Miami Heat's leading scorer. Andrew Wiggins is my only twelfth round small forward in Fantasy Basketball.
Jaden McDaniels, SF, Minnesota Timberwolves

Jaden McDaniels is Minnesota's starting small forward as he has emerged into a reliable starter after struggling early in his career. Jaden McDaniels is my only thirteenth round small forward in Fantasy Basketball.
Aaron Nesmith, SF, Indiana Pacers

Aaron Nesmith averaged 12 points per game. Aaron Nesmith could end up improving his points total this season with Tyrese Haliburton out for the year. Aaron Nesmith is my only fourteenth round small forward in Fantasy Basketball.