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Top 5 NBA Power Forwards Heading into the 2024-25 Season

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Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant are two of the NBA's best power forwards.

As the NBA becomes more position-less it has become harder and harder to determine who are the best NBA power forwards. The days of the traditional 1990s and 2000s all-time great power forwards like Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are behind us. Polarizing stars like Draymond Green are no longer topping power forward lists either as the league gets younger and younger. The list is becoming a mix of veteran and rising talent. Let’s take a look at the top five power forwards in the NBA today.

Top 5 NBA Power Forwards Heading into the 2024-25 Season

5. Paolo Banchero: Youngster on the Rise

Paolo Banchero is by far the youngest player on this list, and we expect him to slowly climb it over the next few years. Don’t be surprised if he is at the top of the best NBA power forwards lists by the end of the 2020s. Banchero is still only 21 years old and is already in his third NBA season. After winning the 2023 Rookie of the Year award, Banchero improved his game greatly in year two. Now, going into his third year, expectations are sky-high. Look for Banchero to continue to refine his offensive game while using his impressive physique to improve his defensive skills as well this season.

4. LeBron James: Playmaking King

Like Kevin Durant, LeBron James started his career as a small forward and has gradually moved to the power forward position. He is only second to Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player ever. At 40 years old in December he is still one of the best in the league at his position. At 39 years old  James averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists last season.

James continues to be one of the league’s top playmakers. He also showed that he won’t be slowing down too much this year by winning the Olympic Tournament MVP in Paris. James continues to be one of the world’s best NBA power forwards.

3. Kevin Durant: Scoring Savant

Kevin Durant may be one of the best-scoring NBA power forwards of all time. He played an impressive 75 games last season and grabbed another All-NBA accolade to add to his long list of accomplishments. Durant’s ability to score in a variety of ways and from every spot on the floor makes him continue to be un-guardable.

At 35 years old and with multiple significant injuries in his past, Durant continues to defy expectations. Durant averaged 27.1 points, 6.6 assists, and five rebounds a game last season. He isn’t going anywhere.

2. Jayson Tatum: Best of the Young NBA Power Forwards

After securing his first NBA championship and earning his third consecutive First-Team All-NBA selection, Jayson Tatum has established himself as an NBA superstar. Although Tatum has proved himself as one of the league’s best power forwards, there are still haters. Some detractors have questioned his Finals performance and his limited playing time for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Tatum’s exceptional scoring ability, rebounding prowess, playmaking skills, and defensive versatility make him a force at the power forward position. Tatum’s youth and talent position him to stay atop this list for a long time.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo: Two-Way Dominance

Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to set the standard as the best NBA power forward in the NBA. He averaged over 30 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists per game last season, adding over one block and one steal to the stat sheet as well. Giannis’ dominance on both ends of the floor is what separates him from the rest of the players on this list and lands him on many lists of the best power forwards in NBA history.

The post Top 5 NBA Power Forwards Heading into the 2024-25 Season appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.