Fantasy Basketball Small Forward Tiers 2025-26

It’s finally time to start prepping for fantasy basketball drafts as the 2025-26 NBA season approaches. To help guide managers, this five-part series sorts players into draft tiers based on their position, with this article featuring the small forwards.

Note that a player’s position can vary across fantasy sites, so other eligibility is listed in brackets. The good, average, and bad categories are based on a player’s latest season stats and Hashtag Basketball. Tiers don’t necessarily correlate to rounds.

Fantasy Basketball Small Forward Tiers 2025-26

Tier 1

Kevin Durant (PF)

Good: PTS, BLK, FG%, FT%, AST, 3PM | Average: REB, STL | Bad: TO

The Rockets made a huge splash this offseason by acquiring Kevin Durant. He’ll be the team’s leading star and will pick up the bulk of the offensive duties with Fred VanVleet out for the year with an ACL tear. The 15-time All-Star is an elite two-way player and is highly touted for his scoring abilities. However, the biggest concern is the 37-year-old’s durability. He also struggles with turnovers, but managers will happily overlook that thanks to his versatility.

Tier 2

Jalen Williams (SG, PF, C)

Good: STL, PTS, AST | Average: REB, BLK, 3PM, FG%, FT% | Bad: TO

Each year, Jalen Williams climbs the fantasy rankings as he continues to improve. The former 12th-overall pick is a well-rounded contributor, with his only notable weakness being turnovers. He also gives the benefit of multi-position eligibility, even spending some time at center last season. The 24-year-old had some ups and downs, but he has tremendous upside. Williams underwent wrist surgery in July, and it’s unclear if he’ll be 100% for the start of the season.

LeBron James (PF)

Good: AST, PTS, REB, FG% | Average: STL, BLK, 3PM, FT% | Bad: TO

2025-26 will be LeBron James’ 23rd season in the NBA, and he’s still going strong. The four-time NBA champion can make an impact on both ends of the floor and has improved his free-throw percentage to the best mark of his career. That leaves the biggest knock on his game as turnovers. While he consistently outperforms his ADP, age and injuries make him a risky pick. In the past seven years, he’s only suited up for at least 70 contests twice, both coming in the past two seasons. James is already sidelined to start the year due to sciatica.