The 2022-2023 NBA season is coming up, which means it’s time for the rankings. The power forward position has become one of the most complete and defining in the league. With that in mind, from The SportingNews they are going to order it 30 best power forwards of this course.
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A couple of caveats before we get started: Coaches don’t announce their starting five before games start, let alone in October, when they’ve barely seen their players perform together. These starting lineups for the 30 teams are purely guesswork, but there will inevitably be some that don’t turn out the way they are here.
In addition, some positions can look a bit confusing as the height does not correspond to the actual position and role on the field.
With that said, here are the top 30 power forwards for the 2022-2023 season.
Who are the best power forwards in the NBA this season?
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Antetokounmpo is easily one of the top three players in the league and has reason to be considered the best. He finished third in MVP voting last season and he was the only player other than Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid to receive first-place votes.
Giannis got even better last season, improving his passing and defending multiple positions. He will become one of the greats of the game.
2. Kevin Durant, Nets
There is no weakness in Durant’s offensive game. He is deadly at the rim, one of the best mid-range shooters in the league and an excellent 3-point shooter. At 34 years old, he still hasn’t lost an iota of his natural talent for the game.
The Nets are back near the top and aiming for the title with KD as leader.
3. Jimmy Butler, Heat
Butler is the best double directioned of the NBA over Antetokounmpo and will likely play as four on this course after leaving Tire. The power with which he plays on both ends of the court makes him special, he punishes defenders to get where he wants and he commits very few fouls.
Meanwhile, on offense, he reads the game at an extremely high level, makes big plays and is instrumental in the clutch.
4. Anthony Davis, Lakers
Davis and the Lakers have fallen steadily since winning the title in 2020. AD was one of the top six in MVP voting that year. But since then it has done nothing but fall he wasn’t even an All-Star last season.
Davis’ shooting is completely off the bubble, but he’s still a terrific defender. In fact, the Lakers’ defense completely fell apart due to his absence in 2021-2022.
5. Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves
Towns is the best big shooter right now. No other player of his stature can hit his percentages with a similar volume, which he put up at 41% last season.
However, it is much more than a shooter. Yeshis offensive versatility makes him extremely valuable and has become excellent at creating shots for himself off the dribble.
Criticism of KAT has always come from its defense since despite having excellent conditions it has never shined. However, under Finch’s guidance, he has improved, he is no longer heavy.
6. Zion Williamson, Pelicans
Williamson missed all of last season with a foot injury and has been on and off ever since a forgotten player
It was amazing when he was healthy. No other player in recent history has been able to get to the rim so easily and finish without an opponent to slow him down. Williamson also showed good playmaking skills, acting as the main ball handler under the former coach Stan VanGundy.
Shion’s health is obviously the biggest concern around him, he also needs to focus more on defense.
7. Draymond Green, Warriors
Green’s offense continued to decline steadily as he got older. His jump shot has faded, he is reluctant to shoot and teams know it. Despite this, he still brings his big vision for the game that serves as a foundation in practical terms for the Warriors.
Draymond makes up for all of these weaknesses by being arguably the best defender in the league. Had he played in more than 46 games last season, he probably would have been the Defensive Player of the Year. His intelligence on that end of the floor is second to none and that should continue this season.
8. Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies
Jackson suffered a broken leg in the process off season, which will keep him out of the game early down the road. This will be difficult for the Grizzlies who will likely have Santi Aldama in the top four.
JJJ is one of the most versatile big defenders in the league. However, he still has problems when it comes to fouling and getting sent off, but when he stays on the field he is one of the most decisive.
He’s also been a career three-point shooter, albeit last year only 31.9% got it right.
9. Al Horford, Celtics
Horford looked close to being done a few years ago, but he has revived his career 35 in second straight with Celtics. He is a high IQ defender and can even match up with stars like Antetokounmpo.
Horford has also become a solid three-point shooter in the second half of his career. He shot an absurd 48% from 3 in the 2022 playoffs and is a career 36% shooter.
10. Scotty Barnes, Raptors
Barnes won Rookie of the Year honors for his outstanding play last season. He’s a do-it-all defenseman with great tools and a 2.19 wingspan.
He has real ability in attack, taking on a bigger role with great success as the season went on.
11. Evan Mobley, Cavaliers
Mobley was the leading Rookie of the Year candidate before Barnes overtook him. His defense is already among the league’s elite and his offense is as fluid as you’d expect.
12. John Collins, Hawks
Collins is a great offensive player, although he has complained about his role, being limited to playing as a wide four and end. Still, the Hawks’ interior has become a solid complement.
13. Aaron Gordon, Nuggets
Gordon was almost certainly the Nuggets best defender last season. He has proven to be a second option on offense and fits right in with Jokic.
14. Dorian Finney-Smith, Mavericks
Finney-Smith doesn’t bring much creativity to the game, but he is one of the best 3&D players in the league. The perfect partner for Luka Doncic.
15. Jeremy Grant, Trail Blazers
Grant was traded to the Blazers in recent months, a move that should make him the team’s defensive key, while also providing shots and opening up the court for Damian Lillard.
16. Julius Randle, Knicks
Randle has almost completely lost All-Star status in less than two years. He is no longer as focused on defense and his outside shooting has dropped from 41.1% to 30.8%.
17. Kyle Kuzma, Wizards
Kuzma has become a fixture for the Wizards after being primarily a scorer for the Lakers. His defensive and passing ability has also improved.
18. Cameron Johnson, Suns
Johnson is a good outside shooter (42.5% last year) who has developed an interesting creative ability off the bounce. Additionally, he is a perimeter defender capable of hitting even if he suffers against bigger opponents.
19. Nicolas Batum, Clippers
Whether or not Batum will be a starter for the Clippers remains to be seen, as they have a good cast of prospects, but the Frenchman is a proven veteran with a 40.2% outside hit rate in his time in Los Angeles.
20. Lauri Markkanen, Jazz
Markkanen is a good open four with speed, knows how to position himself defensively, but is unlikely to make much of an impact despite his height (2.13).
21. PJ Tucker, 76ers
Tucker is 37 years old, though he’s still a pesky and regular back-stabbing open four. He rarely shoots, but when he does, his 3s always go in from the corner.
22. PJ Washington, Hornets
Washington will once again become the incumbent due to the uncertainty surrounding the legal status of Miles Bridges. This is a good open four to meet back.
23. Patrick Williams, Bulls
Williams played in just 17 games last season due to a wrist injury, but remains a promising prospect. He has a good three-point shot (41.3%) although he is still slow in execution.
24. Jalen Smith, Pacers
Smith has shown some intriguing potential with the Pacers after being wasted in Phoenix. He is a good rebounder and can shoot even from distance.
25. Paolo Banchero, Magic
Bansero, the number 1 pick in the last Draft, proved to be very good for the Summer League, but now he will have to prove what he is capable of against the real pros. He is a good passer and has the height and weapons to be a big scorer.
26. Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets
Smith, the #3 pick in the Draft, projects as one of the top prospects thanks to his size and defensive versatility.
27. Marvin Bagley III, Pistons
The Pistons gave him a 3-year, $37.5 million contract off season, showing great confidence in the former 2018 Draft pick. A great athlete who hasn’t had a chance yet.
28. Doug McDermott, Spurs
McDermott is still a great shooter (42.2% on 3-pointers last season), the problem is that he usually doesn’t contribute much more since he’s one of the worst defenders in the NBA.
29. Darius Bazley, Thunder
Bazley has been very volatile in his first three years in the league. He’s got skill, but he’s struggled to be consistent, going from 34.8% on three-pointers as a rookie to not shooting above 30%.
30. Keegan Murray, Kings
Murray, the #4 pick in the last Draft, enters his rookie season with great defensive versatility and an eye for scoring.
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent the NBA or its organizations.
