The power forward position is filled with elite players.
LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis are future Hall of Famers. But younger players such as Evan Mobley, Paolo Banchero and Chet Holmgren also have the potential to reach that status one day.
Here are the top 10 power forward entering the 2025-26 NBA season:
2025-26 NBA position rankings: Point guard | Shooting guard | Small forward
Top 10 power forwards entering 2025-26 NBA season
Stats consist of points (PTS), rebounds (REB), assists (AST), steals (STL), turnovers (TO), games played (GP), field-goal percentage (FG) and 3-point field-goal percentage (3FG).
Honorable mentions
Jayson Tatum was not included on this list because he’s expected to miss most, if not all, of the upcoming season due to a torn Achilles. Injury concerns also prevented Zion Williamson and Kristaps Porzingis from making the cut.
Julius Randle and Scottie Barnes are two former All-Stars who could crack the list with a strong campaign. The same goes for a pair of former champions in Aaron Gordon and OG Anunoby.
10. Chet Holmgren, OKC Thunder
- 2024-25 stats: 15 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST, 2.2 BLK, 0.7 STL, 1.8 TO, 32 GP, 49% FG, 37.9% 3FG
Similar to Williamson and Porzingis, health is the main concern for Holmgren. He has only played in 52.3% of OKC’s game throughout his three seasons with the team.
But Holmgren gets the edge because of his play in the postseason. He helped OKC win its first championship as a 7-foot-1 forward who can space the floor on offense and defend a wide range of opponents.
Holmgren has the size and skills to be a matchup nightmare on a nightly basis, and he’s only 23. He’s capable of being an All-Star and an All-Defensive player this season, barring any major injuries.
9. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- 2024-25 stats: 18.1 PTS, 9.6 REB, 4.3 AST, 0.7 BLK, 1.3 STL, 2.1 TO, 78 GP, 48.5% FG, 35.7% 3FG
Bam Adebayo has primarily been a center throughout his eight-year NBA career. But with the emergence of 7-foot rookie Kel’el Ware last season, Adebayo will likely see more time at power forward so the two bigs can start alongside each other.
That won’t be an issue defensively for Adebayo, who can guard every position with ease. And while floor spacing is a concern, Adebayo shot around league average from deep last season (35.7%) on a career-high 2.8 attempts per game.
That’s an encouraging sign, although Adebayo needs to be even more aggressive on offense. If he can do that while still playing at an elite level defensively, he’ll be in the conversation for an All-NBA team.
8. Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors
- 2024-25 stats: 17.5 PTS, 5.4 REB, 5.4 AST, 0.3 BLK, 1.4 STL, 1.3 TO, 55 GP, 50.4% FG, 30.8% 3FG
Jimmy Butler developed a reputation for being a playoff riser. He earned that respect by leading Miami to a pair of unlikely NBA Finals appearances in 2020 and 2023.
But Butler wasn’t able to lead Golden State to a single win against Minnesota in the second round of last season’s playoffs once Steph Curry went down. And at 36, that knack for backpacking a team is likely no more.
Butler is much better as a second option nowadays, which he’ll be this upcoming season with Curry now healthy. Even though Butler isn’t as high on this list as previous years, the veteran forward is still a two-way threat who deserves the eighth spot.
7. Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
- 2024-25 stats: 22.2 PTS, 5.6 REB, 2 AST, 1.5 BLK, 1.2 STL, 2.1 TO, 74 GP, 48.8% FG, 37.5% 3FG
After becoming the second-youngest Defensive Player of the Year winner in 2023-24, Jaren Jackson Jr. rounded out his game this past season.
The 26-year-old forward still shined as an elite shot blocker and off-ball defender. But he also averaged 22.2 points while knocking down shots from both inside and outside the arc on good efficiency.
Jackson’s emergence on offense has made him one of the most well-rounded power forwards in the league. If he can cut down on fouls and be more active on the glass, he could move up a few spots in the future.
6. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
- 2024-25 stats: 25.9 PTS, 7.5 REB, 4.8 AST, 0.6 BLK, 0.8 STL, 3 TO, 46 GP, 45.2% FG, 32% 3FG
Banchero became the youngest player in NBA history (21) two seasons ago to lead his team in points (22.6), rebounding (6.9) and assists (5.4) per game.
Last season was shortened for Banchero when he missed 34 straight games due to a torn right oblique muscle in abdomen, but he still impressed when he was on the floor. The 6-11 forward dribbles and passes like a guard, and he uses his strength to get to the rim at will.
Banchero still needs to become a more consistent shooter, but he’s clearly on the path to superstardom. Despite being the youngest player on this list at 22, he ranks sixth.
5. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
- 2024-25 stats: 20.2 PTS, 6.9 REB, 3.4 AST 0.5 BLK, 0.9 STL, 1.4 TO, 78 GP, 51.9% FG, 38.9% 3FG
It’s no coincidence that Indiana reached the 2024 Eastern Conference finals in Pascal Siakam’s first season with the team and the NBA Finals this past season.
At 6-8, Siakam is a mobile power forward who has thrived with the fastbreak-loving Pacers. But he’s equally effective in the half-court setting with his ability to space the floor, attack the rim and hunt mismatches.
Siakam is also a switchable defender who helped Indiana rank in the top 15 in defensive rating (14th) last season for the first time since 2020-21. The one-time champion is a complete player who contributes to winning, which is why he ranks fifth on this list.
4. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2024-25 stats: 18.5 PTS, 9.3 REB, 3.2 AST, 1.6 BLK, 0.9 STL, 2 TO, 71 GP, 55.7% FG, 37% 3FG
No player on Cleveland’s roster benefitted more from the hiring of head coach Kenny Atkinson last season than Mobley.
The 24-year-old forward posted a career-high usage rate (23) and showed just how versatile he is offensively. Mobley became a threat from deep, shooting 37% on a career-high 3.2 attempts per game. He also showcased guard-like skills by serving as a pick-and-roll ball handler on 112 occasions, shattering his single-season record of 29.
And let’s not forget about the other end of the floor, where Mobley became the fifth-youngest Defensive Player of the Year winner in NBA history. It was a breakout season for the young star, who should continue to thrive in Atkinson’s system.
3. Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks
- 2024-25 stats: 24.7 PTS, 11.6 REB, 3.5 AST, 2.2 BLK, 1.2 STL, 2.2 TO, 51 GP, 51.6% FG, 28.2% 3FG
Dallas’ decision to send Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers last season was an objectively-bad trade. Still, it’s hard to hear people say the Mavericks only got back Davis.
Even during his nine games with Dallas, Davis showed just how dominant of a force he is. He became the only player in NBA history to record at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and five blocks in under 31 minutes during a win over Toronto on April 11.
Davis is a one-time champion and a 10-time All-Star. He controls the paint at all times with his shot blocking, rebounding and finishing. And it’s only right to have him in the top three of this list.
2. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
- 2024-25 stats: 24.4 PTS, 7.8 REB, 8.2 AST, 0.6 BLK, 1 STL, 3.7 TO, 70 GP, 51.3% FG, 37.6% 3FG
The oldest active player in the NBA ranks second on this list.
Even at age 40, James continues to play at a high level. He averaged 24.4 points last season on good efficiency, created for others and showed that his basketball mind is as sharp as ever.
James can’t defeat Father Time, but it looks like he can force a stalemate. He’ll step away from the game when he lacks the desire, not the ability, to keep playing.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- 2024-25 stats: 30.4 PTS, 11.9 REB, 6.5 AST, 1.2 BLK, 0.9 STL, 3.1 TO, 67 GP, 60.1% FG, 22.2% 3FG
No team has an answer for Antetokounmpo.
The five-time All-Defensive forward can get stops with ease thanks to his size and athleticism. He can rack up rebounds thanks to his 7-3 wingspan. He can run the fastbreak on his own thanks to his impressive motor and mobility. And he can finish around the rim at will thanks to his overpowering strength.
Antetokounmpo has averaged a 30-point double-double in each of the last three seasons as a result. When naming the best power forward in the NBA, the only answer is Antetokounmpo.
Justin Martinez covers sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: NBA power forward rankings: Where does Thunder’s Chet Holmgren place?
