Find below the Fantrax basketball writers’ collective rankings for the small forwards for the 2024-25 fantasy basketball season. The rankings are optimized for standard category leagues. For anything else, adjustments need to be made accordingly.
2024 Fantasy Basketball Small Forward Rankings
Tier 1
1. Jayson Tatum (BOS)
2. Anthony Edwards (MIN)
While both players ranked well outside the overall fantasy basketball top 10 last season, they project to be the best small forwards at this time. Anthony Edwards, in particular, should improve further by just natural age-related development and the departure of Karl-Anthony Towns, which will increase Edwards’ usage. For Tatum, we’d have to weigh the post-championship slump against his feelings getting hurt at the Olympic Games. Will the perceived snub at the Olympics be enough to carry Tatum for the whole season?
Tier 2
3. Scottie Barnes (TOR)
4. Kevin Durant (PHO)
With two of the highest usage players (RJ Barrett and Pascal Siakam) traded from the Raptors midway through the last season, all lights should be green for Scottie Barnes to dominate the ball. Kevin Durant showed at the Olympics that he’s still ahead of Devin Booker in the NBA star-player pecking order.
Tier 3
5. Devin Booker (PHO)
6. Kawhi Leonard (LAC)
7. LeBron James (LAL)
8. Lauri Markkanen (UTA)
9. Paul George (PHI)
While Devin Booker was reduced to a role player at the Olympics, he is more likely than Durant to endure the wear and tear of the full NBA season. Someone who’s not likely to endure the full NBA season? Kawhi Leonard. I’d pass and make him someone else’s problem.
Tier 4
10. Jalen Johnson (ATL)
11. Jalen Williams (OKC)
12. Jimmy Butler (MIA)
13. Jaylen Brown (BOS)
Jimmy Butler, while not really bothering with the regular season in recent years, is now in his contract year. He will want to show that he’s still got it and the Heat will need him as their playoff spot is not a certainty.
Tier 5
14. Franz Wagner (ORL)
15. Paolo Banchero (ORL)
Dealer’s choice with the two Orlando forwards. While there is significant upside, poor percentages hurt Banchero. Wagner will likely be cheaper in a draft so he’d be my preference.
Tier 6
16. DeMar DeRozan (SAC)
17. Devin Vassell (SA)
18. Mikal Bridges (NY)
19. Brandon Miller (CHA)
20. Miles Bridges (CHA)
DeRozan is just what the Kings need as an outside-the-regular offense creator. He’s unlikely to dominate the ball like he did in Chicago though. Brandon Miller had an impressive rookie campaign and should take the next step. Miles Bridges is still very talented despite his reputation being in the dumps.
Tier 7
21. Kyle Kuzma (WAS)
22. Keegan Murray (SAC)
23. Trey Murphy (NO)
24. Tobias Harris (DET)
25. Bradley Beal (PHO)
26. OG Anunoby (NY)
27. Cam Thomas (BKN)
28. Brandon Ingram (NO)
28. Michael Porter (DEN)
Bradley Beal has looked very smooth in the preseason with the Suns. If you want to take that risk, I literally can not stop you. Brandon Ingram and Michael Porter Jr. are in their contract years so they might perform at an elevated level.
Tier 8
30. Josh Giddey (CHI)
31. Austin Reaves (LAL)
32. Deni Avdija (POR)
33. Bogdan Bogdanovic (ATL)
34. Khris Middleton (MIL)
35. Herbert Jones (NO)
36. Donte DiVincenzo (MIN)
37. Klay Thompson (DAL)
38. RJ Barrett (TOR)
In a standard league, we’re nearing the group of players we’d rather not give up many resources for. In a 12-team league, by now you hopefully have 2-3 players from the earlier tiers. The players here are for more speculative picks and filling in weak spots on your roster.
Tier 9
39. Amen Thompson (HOU)
40. Grayson Allen (PHO)
41. Cam Johnson (BKN)
42. Ausar Thompson (DET)
42. Josh Hart (NY)
44. Shaedon Sharpe (POR)
45. Jaime Jaquez (MIA)
46. Andrew Wiggins (GS)
47. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ORL)
48. Cam Whitmore (HOU)
49. Tari Eason (HOU)
50. Vince Williams (MEM)
Still a few serviceable players available. Grayson Allen might be valuable but only if Bradley Beal gets injured. Josh Hart’s role will be diminished but he’ll still get run into the ground by Thibs. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is the only good shooter on the Magic.
Tier 10
51. Kelly Oubre Jr. (PHI)
52. Buddy Hield (GS)
53. Aaron Nesmith (IND)
54. Bennedict Mathurin (IND)
54. Zaccharie Risacher (ATL)
56. Bilal Coulibaly (WAS)
57. Max Strus (CLE)
58. Keon Ellis (SAC)
59. Keldon Johnson (SA)
60. Gradey Dick (TOR)
61. Matas Buzelis (CHI)
62. Jordan Clarkson (UTA)
63. Patrick Williams (CHI)
64. Norman Powell (LAC)
65. Jaden McDaniels (MIN)
66. Luguentz Dort (OKC)
67. Rui Hachimura (LAL)
68. Corey Kispert (WAS)
68. De’Andre Hunter (ATL)
70. Christian Braun (DEN)
71. Ron Holland (DET)
Also, make sure to check out our Dynasty Basketball Rankings and Analysis.