Summary
The small forward is a position that is often not talked about enough in the NBA, and this applies to its place inNBA 2K25as well. While everyone candiscuss the point guardsandfawn over the centerseffectively, it’s probably going to take some time to find a person who can aptly name the small forwards of the league. However,this doesn’t mean that the small forward is any less importantto a team’s chemistry in a game. Much like the power forward, the small forward is a nice compromise between the center and the guards, offering greater strength than a guard with quicker speed than a center.
This blending of the two means thata small forward can often be a great optionfor players looking to break into the MyCareer mode of the game with their built character. It takes off the pressure of having to run the offense as a point guard and push your way through the paint as a big man. Plus, being able to excel at any location on the court cannot be understated. Now, not every team is going to be looking for a small forward when a player enters the league, which means there are only a few that are going to be your best bet.
Updated June 25, 2025 by Shane Black:As the NBA season enters its halfway mark, more teams have emerged in need of help at the small forward position. Because of this, this list was updated to provide further context to the teams already on the list but also add teams who have shown to be in need. It also received more in-text links to other guides to help players even more and give them the best possible chance to dominate the league.
1Brooklyn Nets
Needing All The Help They Can Get
The Brooklyn Nets are not a good team, to be blunt. As such,they need a lot of helpand have a ton of openings for players to become starters. Though they have Bojan Bogdanovic, he is not lighting the score sheet up by any means, and a new player who can score with efficiency can easily overtake him in the line-up.
While there won’t be immediate success with the Nets,they do have a future through their current rebuild. Getting in on the ground floor can be a great benefit for the player.
2Chicago Bulls
Small Forwards Very Much Needed
The Bulls is a weird team to recommend, but there is logic to it: their starting small forward, Zach Lavine, has been the face of the team for a long time, buthis name has been tossed around in trade talks for quite some time as well. When a player’s name appears so often when discussing trades, it usually signifies some real possibility of that trade happening.
But even if that trade doesn’t happen,being a bench player on this team wouldn’t be a bad thingas there would still be a ton of playing time. The team has some flaws, but they have enough talent to make something happen with the right moves. Getting a new small forward who can back Lavine, or take over for him once he’s traded, could be just what they need to have some relevance come back to the storied franchise.
3Golden State Warriors
A Clear Path To Starting
Despite his prominent role in the Warriors' 2022 championship run, Andrew Wiggins has returned to earth. While far from a true detriment on the court, Wiggins hascertainly opened the door for another player to come to the teamand take that starting role from him. With the team struggling overall to score and keep a lead, a new small forward that can be productive would do a lot for them.
It won’t be an immediate starting position, but with the right play, it won’t last very long at all. If players can fulfill their roles effectively, providing the defenseand shooting abilitiesthat Wiggins showed flashes of, then they will see their roles elevated in no time.
4Houston Rockets
A Good Fit For Starters Or Bench
The Houston Rockets are in a different kind of situation because Dillon Brooks is their starting small forward, and he has shown to be a solid option at that position.His calling card is his defenseand ability to get into the head of his opponent, while he can also provide some offense sporadically.
However,his offensive production is not nearly enough to solidify him as a permanent fixturein that starting line. If a player can come in and match his defense while also providing more consistent offense than him, then a starting role will open up. Plus, the Rockets are on an upward trajectory and a player can get in on the ground floor here to see success for the future.
5Los Angeles Lakers
Play With The King
The Lakers have once again found themselves in a weird situation: they are not awful, but they are also not great. Because of this, the team is sitting in a place where they will be in the Play-In games come the NBA playoffs. To get themselves out of that spot,they could use a small forwardtoelevate their scoring.
Lebron is technically the small forward, but he really doesn’t belong to one position. So having him on the court, along with ADand a new small forward, could be a potent combination to bring the team to a more consistent place.
6Minnesota Timberwolves
A Rising Contender With Plenty Of Playing Time
The Timberwolves are showing that they are here to stay in the NBA after their run to the Western Conference Finals last season. When it comes to small forwards, as well,there is certainly a need for depth. While Jayden McDaniels is their starter and will stay that way for the foreseeable future, their second-string small forward is Joe Ingles. Ingles has been a staple of the league for a while and is getting older. McDaniels has not been quite as effective as fans were hoping for, meaning that should a younger, quicker player come to the team, he could see his role moved to the second string and Ingle made irrelevant.
McDaniels is going to be the starter for a while, but not forever. If a player can have patience and give it a season or two, they could see a starting spot open up sooner rather than later.
7Orlando Magic
A Good Spot To Contribute Early
The Orlando Magic have been knocking at the door of success for a couple of years now, and they just haven’t been able to break through. This could easily change with the addition of a strong small forward that canelevate the team around them. Right now, Franz Wagner has the starting spot for this role and has not done a ton to cement his status there. While he has had flashes of excellence, he just hasn’t been consistent enough to make fans say he is the unanimous choice to have there. And with his injury causing him to miss extended time, the door is open for another player.
This means a new small forwardhas a real shot of taking that starting spot from Wagner, provided they can do what he does and even more. This isn’t too difficult and could see the Magic becoming a solid team that can make some noise come playoff time.
8Toronto Raptors
A Solid Bench Role
The Toronto Raptors have their starting small forward, which may turn some players off. However, the bench spot is certainly up for grabsand will bring solid minutes. Bruce Brown is currently on the bench as a small forward, but he has yet to reach the levels he did when he helped the Nuggets win a championship two years ago.
Being a consistent bench player is nothing to scoff at, and with the young talent on the roster, the players could quickly see the team become far more potent in the East.
