For the better part of the last two decades, it seems like LeBron James has managed to maintain the crown as the best basketball player, let alone small forward, in the world. NBA 2K23 was recently released, and though there are many roster and overall shakeups, James remains a steady constant.
The beauty of the NBA 2K series is that basketball fans get exposed to the league's best players, and they get to learn about talented players they may not be able to watch on television. James is extremely popular and talented, but the NBA has more than a handful of other small forwards who hold their own against the best in the league.
8 RJ Barrett (84)
It's hard to be happier than RJ Barrett, considering the New York Knicks emerging small forward just signed an extension with the team worth $107 million. He'll need to take a big leap this upcoming season if he wants to match the potential of what was placed on him coming out of the draft.
A score of 84 overall in NBA 2K23 is rather respectable and lands Barrett as the eighth-best player at his primary position. If the Knicks truly want to contend in the playoffs, they'll need Barrett to improve on his career average of 17.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game through his first three seasons in the NBA.
7 Brandon Ingram (86)
The New Orleans Pelicans don't get a lot of time on primetime television, especially when their superstar power forward Zion Williamson missed the entire season due to injury. Many casual fans missed the fact that Brandon Ingram continued to ball and managed to average 22+ points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game for the third straight season.
If Williamson blossoms into the true NBA superstar many people believe he can be, then Ingram will serve as the secondary star on a team that could surprise some people. Anyone who doubts or is unfamiliar with Ingram's scoring ability should give him a try in NBA 2K23.
6 Khris Middleton (86)
The Milwaukee Bucks were coming off winning the NBA Championship with hopes of repeating in the 2021-22 season. Things fell apart when they lost Khris Middleton to injury in the NBA Playoffs, and superstar power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was left trying to do it all on his own.
Not having Middleton's 20 points per game allowed opponents to focus on the Greek Freak, and changed defensive approaches entirely. Some NBA fans may see Middleton as nothing but a role player alongside Antetokounmpo, but his 86 overall score ended up feeling like a big hole when the Bucks tried to contend without him.
5 Jaylen Brown (87)
Coming off of a deep playoff run that resulted in the Boston Celtics contending for the NBA Championship, Jaylen Brown further established himself as a major player in the league. Brown averaged nearly 24 points, 3.5 assists, and 6 rebounds per game during his 2021-22 campaign, which was a contributing factor to his team's overall success.
An 87 overall score is rather respectable, considering that Brown's inexperience in the NBA Finals led to a bit of inconsistent play from the youthful small forward. With a dunk rating of 89 and a 3-point shot of 83, Brown can effectively score from anywhere on the court, just not at the volume of some of the other players ahead of him on this list.
4 DeMar DeRozan (89)
DeMar DeRozan is the type of player that basketball fans know, but the average NBA fan likely doesn't recognize him. Anyone who has seen DeRozan play will say he's a walking bucket, and his 2021-22 season with the Chicago Bulls displayed that ability to the world in a bigger market.
His score of 89 in NBA 2K23 has built a reputation for failing to meet his regular season numbers when the postseason comes around, but Bulls fans are hoping he overcomes that in the years to come. Sure, DeRozan may not be a great defender, but that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve to be the fourth-best small forward in this year's NBA 2K title.
3 Jimmy Butler (93)
Jimmy Butler has to be the single strangest superstar in the NBA. He doesn't contribute to his team statistically in the way a lot of the game's greats do, but he's an effective leader who can lift those around him to perform at an elevated level.
It's unclear if Butler will ever bring a ring to Miami and add to the legacy of the Heat, but he's carving a Hall of Fame resume, which is astounding considering his former teams felt he wasn't mature or disciplined enough to be a part of their efforts. A 93 overall is all but deserved for a player who went and took the life he wanted through hard work and perseverance.
2 Kawhi Leonard (94)
Losing a complete season to injury is never great, and it seems that the basketball world at large has forgotten about the Los Angeles Clippers' small forward Kawhi Leonard. Criticizing the rest he gets and how that affects his team's placement and cohesion is valid. However, claiming that he's washed or not one of the best players in the league is simply nonsense.
His 94 overall score in the game showcases the fact that Leonard is arguably the best two-way player in the game. He can affect and change the game on both sides of the court, which is special and should be appreciated.
1 LeBron James (96)
LeBron James missed the playoffs for just the second time in his career, but it wasn't lack of effort that led to the Los Angeles Lakers missing the NBA postseason. As he continues to age, the man known as the King displays a level of consistency and longevity the game of basketball hasn't seen.
Though there's an argument that he's no longer the best player in the world, it's hard to deny him his place as one of the game's best to this day. His 96 overall score and reign as the best small forward in NBA 2K stays true in NBA 2K23.
NBA 2K23 is available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and PC.