The 2024-25 NBA season is quickly approaching, so as my final points and category fantasy basketball rankings drop, it’s time to take a look at my position-by-position tiers. I’ve covered point guards and shooting guards, so now it’s the small forwards’ turn.
NOTE: Only certain players will have analysis when listed in the tiers below. Players with multi-position eligibility will only appear in the positional tier in which they played the most minutes last season or are projected to play this season.
[Create or join a Yahoo Fantasy hoops league for the 2024-25 NBA season]
The small forward landscape in fantasy basketball features elite stars like LeBron James, Paul George and Lauri Markkanen. Rising talents including Jalen Williams and Franz Wagner are poised to have impactful seasons, while young prospects like Brandon Miller and Trey Murphy III offer plenty of potential. There’s value in the mid-rounds if you’re willing to buy the dip on players like Josh Giddey and Mikal Bridges. Try to nab a few SFs before the 10th round, because the drop-off in positional value is steep.
Level 1: The Elite SF’s
1. Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers
2. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
3. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
-
Paul George’s assists dropped to 3.5 per game, his lowest in three seasons. Playing alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey will help PG-13 regain some of that playmaking ability after already being one of the best 3&D wings in the game.
-
The Jazz are building around Lauri Markkanen, and fantasy managers can confidently do the same. The only areas where Markkanen falls short are assists and blocks.
-
The Lakers haven’t done much to upgrade their roster this offseason, meaning they’ll once again be heavily reliant on Anthony Davis and the league’s oldest player, LeBron James. King James is still performing at a high level, but be careful, as Father Time can strike at any moment.
Level 2: All-Star caliber SFs
1. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
3. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
4. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
5. DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento Kings
-
Jalen Williams is poised to break out after finishing his second season in the top 50. J-Dub has an ADP in the fourth round, but I wouldn’t blame anyone if he gets taken in the third round. A higher usage rate plus more opportunities as a creator will only lead to more fantasy points.
-
The Orlando Magic have a team and Franz Wagner is Paolo Banchero’s 1B. Wagner is entering his fourth NBA season and has missed just 15 games in his career. The German wing has also increased his scoring, rebounding and assist production each year. Currently, Wagner is a late fourth draft pick, but I think he will be a mid-fourth pick at the beginning of the season.
-
The reigning Finals MVP appears extra motivated to make the All-Defensive team this year, so any increase in stock price will improve Jaylen Brown’s fantasy prospects.
-
The Kings adding DeMar DeRozan increases their chances of competing in a deep Western Conference. From a fantasy perspective, the change in scenery shouldn’t have much of an impact on his play — an efficient 23-5-5 with a steal and minimal 3s has become DeRozan’s standard.
Level 3: Upside SF’s
1. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
2. Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks
3. Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans
4. Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls
-
Brandon Miller is Paul George-light. After averaging 17 points with 1.5 stocks in his first year, he’s in a promising position to increase that to 20+ per game. The Hornets need some extra firepower with LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges back. He may struggle with his shot at times, but Miller is a sixth-round target of mine.
-
One of my bounceback candidates is Mikal Bridges. Bridges’ precipitous drop in efficiency and share has resulted in his worst fantasy output since his rookie year. Bridges isn’t cut out to be the top option, but third? Coach Thibs will give him a lot of minutes, and his efficiency with share is what fantasy managers should covet in the fifth round. For what it’s worth, I can’t decide whether Bridges or OG Anunoby will play in SF, so I’ve included both on this tiered list.
-
It may seem high for Trey Murphy III, but my ranking is based on his potential. Like Mikal Bridges of old, Murphy is an efficient 3&D specialist with bounce. The Pelicans’ starters haven’t proven they can stay healthy, so Murphy can (and will) outperform his ADP in the eighth round.
-
After falling out of favor in OKC, Giddey’s move to Chicago made him one of the offseason winners. When playing at least 30 minutes a night, Giddey averages over 14 rebounds + assists. Giddey goes in the late fifth round in fantasy drafts and is a good pick if you’re in a points league or giving up 3’s or steals.
Level 4: Uninspiring but useful vets
1. Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets
2. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks
3. Herbert Jones, New Orleans Pelicans
4. Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
5. Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
-
If OG Anunoby stayed healthy, he would be on a higher level. Anunoby’s defense since joining the Knicks has been on another level. In 23 games since joining New York, he is averaging 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. When you combine his two 3’s a night with a high FG%, you’re looking at a steal that would be around pick 100.
-
Herbert Jones also averaged over two shares per game, but with better efficiency than Anunoby. Jones is an underrated fantasy performer who also comes close to a 100 pick.
Tier 5: Late round SFs worth considering
1. Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
2. RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors
3. Klay Thompson, Dallas Mavericks
4. Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors
-
It’s wild to say that RJ Barrett is my most reliable fantasy asset this class. While Barrett has typically been reserved for points leagues, the Raptors version of his game translates well to category leagues. If we look past his abysmal free throw percentage, he’s averaging 21/6/4 on 55% shooting. Stocks aren’t his thing, but a 20-point scorer in the ninth round is a solid value, even if he shoots in the high 40s from the field.
-
I think Klay’s fit in Dallas is great. Thompson will be a cheap source of points and 3’s so I’ll target him if I’m light in those areas.
Level 6: Rising talents in the final round
1. Deni Avdija, Portland Trailblazers
2. Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
3. Vince Williams Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
4. Aaron Nesmith, Indiana Pacers
5. Tari Eason, Houston Rockets
6. Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards
-
The Blazers brought in Deni Avdija for Malcolm Brogdon and a bag of chips. Avdija should provide some upside facilitation and rebounding from the wing position from day one. Taking a flier on him with an ADP in the 11th round is more than worth it.
-
The Pistons look a lot different than they did last season, and everything I’m reading says Ausar Thompson has the edge for the starting SF role. Thompson can’t shoot to save his life, but his rebounding, supply, and playmaking make him a valuable fantasy contributor when he plays meaningful minutes.
-
The Grizzlies’ starting lineup is finally healthy, which makes Vince Williams Jr. less appealing in fantasy. Still, he’s a Swiss Army knife that will be in the rotation. He’s essentially one injury away from being back on the fantasy map.
-
The Wizards will trade Kyle Kuzma at some point, and if he is moved, Bilal Coulibaly should earn more minutes. He is a project, but give him time to emerge as the season progresses.
Level 7: SF Bank Depth
1. Royce O’Neale, Phoenix Suns
2. Max Strus, Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves
4. Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers
5. Josh Hart, New York Knicks
6. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat
7. Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
8. Matisse Thybulle, Portland Trail Blazers
9. Derrick Jones Jr., Los Angeles Clippers
Level 8: Non-draftable SFs
1. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Minnesota Timberwolves
2. Kyle Anderson, Golden State Warriors
3. De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks
4. Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs
5. Bogdan Bogdanović, Brooklyn Nets
6. Pat Connaughton, Milwaukee Bucks
7. Isaac Okoro, Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Dillon Brooks, Houston Rockets
9. Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
10. Cam Whitmore, Houston Rockets
11. Quentin Grimes, Dallas Mavericks
12. Moses Moody, Golden State Warriors
13. Julian Champagnie, San Antonio Spurs
14. Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors
15. Ron Holland II, Detroit Pistons
16. Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets
