The small forward position is very top-heavy, as the talent level drops off significantly after about the first 10 players. With an early first-round pick you can luck into Kevin Durant, LeBron James, or Jayson Tatum. With a late first-round or early second-round pick, you can still land stars who will stuff the stat sheet, like Jimmy Butler, Paul George or Khris Middleton. Once you get past the top tier, you're looking more at specialists that will fill certain categories as opposed to true "breakouts" you might be able to find at other positions. Either way, you need to be familiar with our 2021 fantasy basketball SF rankings ahead of your draft so you're prepared for the different ways your draft could unfold.
The 2021 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, Oct. 19, so the time for your fantasy basketball draft is fast approaching. Top 200 overall rankings are great, but we're breaking down each position so can build the most complete roster possible.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: 2021 fantasy basketball cheat sheet
Check out our 2021 fantasy SF rankings for the upcoming season.
2021 FANTASY BASKETBALL RANKINGS:
Point guard | Shooting guard | Power forward | Center | Top 200
Fantasy Basketball SF Rankings 2021: Top players, breakout sleepers at small forward
Position eligibility based on ESPN settings
MORE FANTASY SLEEPERS: One from each team | Top 10 draft steals | Best rookies
| Rank | Player | Team |
| 1. | Kevin Durant | BKN |
| 2. | LeBron James | LAL |
| 3. | Jayson Tatum | BOS |
| 4. | Jimmy Butler | MIA |
| 5. | Paul George | LAC |
| 6. | Khris Middleton | MIL |
| 7. | Tobias Harris | PHI |
| 8. | Michael Porter Jr. | DEN |
| 9. | Gordon Hayward | CHA |
| 10. | Brandon Ingram | NOP |
| 11. | OG Anunoby | TOR |
| 12. | Mikal Bridges | PHX |
| 13. | Miles Bridges | CHA |
| 14. | Andrew Wiggins | GSW |
| 15. | Norman Powell | POR |
| 16. | Kyle Anderson | MEM |
| 17. | TJ Warren | IND |
| 18. | Keldon Johnson | SAS |
| 19. | Saddiq Bey | DET |
| 20. | De'Andre Hunter | ATL |
| 21. | Darius Bazley | OKC |
| 22. | Joe Ingles | UTA |
| 23. | Will Barton | DEN |
| 24. | Doug McDermott | SAS |
| 25. | Kawhi Leonard* | LAC |
| 26. | Dorian Finney-Smith | DAL |
| 27. | Jae'Sean Tate | HOU |
| 28. | Thaddeus Young | SAS |
| 29. | Marcus Morris Sr. | LAC |
| 30. | Kelly Oubre Jr. | CHA |
| 31. | Matisse Thybulle | PHI |
| 32. | Royce O'Neale | UTA |
| 33. | Franz Wagner | ORL |
| 34. | Kenyon Martin Jr. | HOU |
| 35. | Terance Mann | LAC |
| 36. | Patrick Williams | CHI |
| 37. | Jaden McDaniels | MIN |
| 38. | Jonathan Kuminga | GSW |
| 39. | Isaac Okoro | CLE |
| 40. | Josh Jackson | DET |