We already saw the best point guards and shooting guards in NBA 2K21, and now it’s the turn of the small forward.

With the success of LeBron James and Kevin Durant this last decade, the small forward position has strikingly risen in popularity. Therefore, in this position, we can find the biggest stars in the league at this very moment.

Let’s take a look at the best small forwards currently available in NBA 2K21, which features plenty of big names.

LeBron James – 97

LeBron James leads the Los Angeles Lakers to a dominant hold on the Western Conference. He’s had the best run in terms of longevity, and his streak of consecutive NBA Finals appearances was ended due to injury and his team not making the playoffs, not because he fell short and lost in a series. But he’s slowed down his scoring in favor of becoming more of a facilitator. It shows in his league-leading 10.3 assists per game – which is also a career-high for James.

He has played 16 seasons in the league and has logged more minutes on the court than anyone else ever to play the game. Despite his lowest average points per game since his rookie season (if only by a hair) – James should retain his massive 97 OVR rating heading into NBA 2K21. If you want to use him in MyTeam, you need many NBA mt coins but don’t worry, u4gm.com can always give you the best!

Kawhi Leonard – 96

Not only is Kawhi Leonard the best small forward in the league, but he’s also a top ten player. He was leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a very successful year.

Leonard has built a reputation for being a shutdown defender that can produce in all facets of the game. His big hands and strong frame provide the perfect combination to be the back-to-back defensive player of the year. He can still score, though, and he is more than willing to put the scoring load on his soldiers. These improvements are great, so Leonard got 96 OVR in NBA 2K21.

Jimmy Butler – 92

Jimmy Butler has transitioned into a veteran leader for a young and dangerous Miami Heat.

Butler has always been an All-NBA defender, and through the years, he’s done a good job at becoming a more consistent presence on offense. He can distribute the ball, drive through tough defenses, and fight for boards. With Butler producing career-high stats in rebounding and assists per game, this offsets his so-so scoring this year to push him ahead to 92 OVR in NBA 2K21.

Jayson Tatum – 91

Jayson Tatum is one of the NBA’s future superstars and has been on the cusp of that echelon for the last 2 seasons, all the good things he’s done with the Boston Celtics.

The 6’8″ wing is realistically one deep playoff run away from becoming a true household name. Whether he is scoring from the perimeter or backing down a defender and fading away for the easy two, Tatum makes it look easy no matter what offensive move he whips out of his arsenal. Tatum earned a 91 overall rating in NBA 2K21, make him easily develop into one of the league’s best small forwards as well.

Khris Middleton – 87

Khris Middleton is enjoying yet another awesome season as part of the massively successful Milwaukee Bucks. He was currently dealing with what Klay Thompson and C.J. McCollum have had to endure.

Middleton is the 2nd best player on a team starring a perennial MVP and likely a Top 100 player, but he would likely be a superstar on many other rosters. He has pushed several career-high numbers this season, including rebounds, points, and tying his career-high for assists. While these still aren’t pushing any league-leading stats, it points to Middleton’s important role on perhaps the best team in the league today. His 87 overall is good enough to make him the best small forward, which is impressive considering the position features many of the NBA’s most dominant players.

Brandon Ingram – 86

Brandon Ingram is one of the best small forward in NBA 2K21. When the Los Angeles Lakers decided to move several young players to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Anthony Davis, it was unclear what Brandon Ingram would become. Once he landed in the bayou and was the clear #1 scorer for his team, Ingram flourished and showcased just how talented he was.

Brandon Ingram is so talented and so young that his potential is absolutely through the roof. Currently, in NBA 2K21, Brandon Ingram is 86 overall. At this stage of Ingram’s career — him being so young — I can understand why 2K is hesitant to make him a 90 overall player. Who knows if he’ll ever be a 90 overall player, but he sure has the talent and skill to do so if he can be consistent with his production.

Gordon Hayward – 86

While Gordon Hayward‘s managed to fully regain his mojo after his horrific leg injury in 2017, it certainly ruined his time as a Boston Celtic.

That was particularly true the season after his injury, where he didn’t even start games most of the time. It’s unclear if Hayward will ever be the player he once was, but his core talent and fundamentals still make him a Top 10 player at the small forward position for the time being. Hayward is one of the best scorers on this list. While he is not the loudest player in the league, he can light it up at any time. If you’re not convinced, take a look at his stat line for the 2015-2016 season: 19.7 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds. He has an overall of 83 in NBA 2K21.

TJ Warren – 84

T.J. Warren has a Top 10 overall among small forwards in NBA 2K21.

Warren had one of the breakout runs of the 2019-20 NBA playoffs in the bubble and posted multiple games of 40+ points. After his best performing season yet, T.J. Warren is hoping to impress once again. With an amazing 19.6 points averaged, even on the suns of all teams, he also has a strong 5.1 total rebounds per game. His 84 overall may seem egregious and high for a guy many people are unfamiliar with, but his stat line says it’s 100% earned.

Stay tuned for our list of the best power forwards and centers in the coming weeks!