The 22 Best Small Forwards in NBA History

Scoring champions, lockdown defenders and a few men who did both at once. Half of these wings won rings, the rest won arguments.

1. 1
   LeBron James

   Four-time champion and four-time MVP who became the NBA's all-time leading scorer.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Jimmy Butler

   Six-time All-Star who dragged Miami to two NBA Finals.
   700pts
3. 3
   Rick Barry

   1975 Finals MVP with the Warriors and the most famous underhand free-throw shooter in history.
   632pts
4. 4
   James Worthy

   Big Game James, three-time champion and 1988 Finals MVP with the Showtime Lakers.
   575pts
5. 5
   Paul Arizin

   Two-time scoring champion of the 1950s and a pioneer of the jump shot.
   534pts
6. 6
   Larry Bird

   Three straight MVPs from 1984 to 1986 and three titles with the Celtics.
   489pts
7. 7
   Paul George

   Nine-time All-Star two-way forward who finished third in 2019 MVP voting.
   489pts
8. 8
   Bernard King

   1985 scoring champion whose 60-point game for the Knicks set a Christmas Day record.
   437pts
9. 9
   Jayson Tatum

   Top scorer of the Boston team that won the 2024 championship.
   437pts
10. 10
    Kevin Durant

    2014 MVP, two-time Finals MVP and four-time scoring champion.
    379pts
11. 11
    Elgin Baylor

    Lakers forward who averaged 27.4 points and 13.5 rebounds over 14 seasons.
    379pts
12. 12
    John Havlicek

    Eight-time champion with the Celtics and the face of the 1965 'Havlicek stole the ball' call.
    312pts
13. 13
    Grant Hill

    Seven-time All-Star whose prime in Detroit was cut short by ankle injuries.
    312pts
14. 14
    Tracy McGrady

    Two-time scoring champion and seven-time All-Star with Orlando and Houston.
    312pts
15. 15
    Dominique Wilkins

    The Human Highlight Film, nine-time All-Star and 1986 scoring champion for Atlanta.
    312pts
16. 16
    Paul Pierce

    The Truth, 2008 Finals MVP and the second-leading scorer in Celtics history.
    312pts
17. 17
    Alex English

    The leading scorer of the 1980s, eight straight All-Star picks with Denver.
    235pts
18. 18
    Scottie Pippen

    Six-time champion with the Bulls and one of the best defensive forwards ever.
    235pts
19. 19
    Kawhi Leonard

    Two-time Finals MVP with two different franchises, the Spurs and the Raptors.
    235pts
20. 20
    Adrian Dantley

    Two-time scoring champion who lived at the free-throw line in Utah.
    146pts
21. 21
    Julius Erving

    Dr. J, MVP in both the ABA and the NBA and the forward who made the dunk an art form.
    0pts
22. 22
    Carmelo Anthony

    Ten-time All-Star, 2013 scoring champion and three-time Olympic gold medalist.
    0pts

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