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There is no more time to waste! Fantasy basketball draft season is here, and managers should start identifying their building blocks, targeting sleepers, and avoiding potential busts.
One of the most crucial positions in 9-category fantasy basketball leagues is the power forward. This position can heavily influence the rebounding and field-goal percentage categories and is one of the deepest positions in terms of talent in the entire NBA.
When evaluating the power forward pool, finding players who can add value to multiple categories is essential. In this piece, I'll rank the power forward-eligible players and sort them into five tiers. It's usually ideal to grab at least one player from the top two tiers; otherwise, your league mates might monopolize the market and create a huge advantage.
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The Top 20 Power Forwards in 9-Category Fantasy Basketball Leagues
These rankings break down the top 20 power forwards into five tiers:
- Tier 1: Cornerstone Pieces — First-round picks that you can build your roster around.
- Tier 2: Alpha Dogs — Not quite first-rounders, but All-Star-caliber players who can fill up the stat sheet.
- Tier 3: Beta Dogs — Less consistent than Alpha Dogs but capable of delivering huge performances that can swing matchups.
- Tier 4: High-Floor Players — Consistent and reliable, but not likely to deliver explosive performances regularly.
- Tier 5: High-Upside Players — Players with significant potential who can provide a major edge over the competition if they become more reliable.
Note that these rankings focus on players whose primary position is power forward, though they may have eligibility for other positions. All players listed have power forward eligibility across all major fantasy league platforms.
Tier 1: Cornerstone Pieces
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks (PF/C)
Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the premier two-way threats in basketball, making him a valuable asset in 9-category fantasy leagues. In the 2023-24 season, he averaged an impressive 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game, with a remarkable 61.1% field-goal percentage. These are numbers that few players can match.
However, there are drawbacks. Giannis averages just 0.5 three-pointers made per game and shoots only 65% from the free-throw line. This makes him a somewhat polarizing choice in 9-category formats. While he excels in seven categories, his performance in three-pointers and free-throw percentage presents challenges that seem difficult to overcome.
Managers drafting Giannis will need to either compensate for his shortcomings in three-pointers and free-throw percentage by allocating resources elsewhere or choose to completely punt those categories, focusing instead on strengthening the other seven.
2. Jayson Tatum - Boston Celtics (PF/SF)
3. Kevin Durant - Phoenix Suns (PF)
Tier 2: Alpha Dogs
4. Lauri Markkanen - Utah Jazz (PF/SF)
5. Paolo Banchero - Orlando Magic (PF/SF)
6. Jalen Williams - Oklahoma City Thunder (PF)
One of last season's biggest breakout stars was Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Jalen Williams. JDub finished fourth in the Most Improved Player Award voting, with many believing he should have taken home the trophy.
In the 2023-24 season, Williams improved across nearly all nine categories, averaging 19.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.6 blocks. He accomplished this with impressive efficiency, posting a 54% field-goal percentage, 42.7% from three, and 81.4% from the free-throw line.
Williams is expected to continue taking on an increased role, solidifying his position as the team's second option behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. At just 23 years old, he has yet to reach his full potential and has a real chance of making his first All-Star appearance this season. He should be a target for all fantasy managers, as he has the opportunity to break out even further this year.
Jalen Williams had very special pull-up jump shooing efficiency in his second season…
Extremely strong & fundamental. J-dub uses his body weight, deceleration, & ball-handling to create space and knock down pull-ups at a hilariously high clip. Excited to witness his ceiling. https://t.co/83DWtnD6QS pic.twitter.com/IsPwDNvkU9
— NBA University (@NBA_University) September 3, 2024
7. Evan Mobley - Cleveland Cavaliers (PF/C)
8. Pascal Siakam - Indiana Pacers (PF)
9. Zion Williamson - New Orleans Pelicans (PF)
Tier 3: Beta Dogs
10. Jalen Johnson - Atlanta Hawks (PF)
Another player who saw a remarkable improvement last season was Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson. He boosted his averages in every category, including an increase of over 10 points per game, and is poised for an even bigger breakout this season.
In the 2023-24 season, Johnson averaged 16.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks. He also shot efficiently, with a field-goal percentage of 51.1%, 35.5% from three, and 72.8% from the free-throw line.
As the starting power forward for the Hawks, Johnson is expected to log significant minutes in the frontcourt. His role on the team is like a fixer, addressing various weaknesses and contributing where needed.
He has earned the full trust of the coaching staff and the organization, ensuring he’ll rarely leave the floor. Drafting Johnson means acquiring a reliable player you can confidently start without a second thought.
Jalen Johnson, last year ➡️ this year:
PPG — 5.6 ➡️ 15.9
RPG — 4.0 ➡️ 8.6
APG — 1.2 ➡️ 3.5
SPG — 0.5 ➡️ 1.2
FG% — 49.1 ➡️ 51.5
3P% — 28.8 ➡️ 36.4
FT% — 62.8 ➡️ 72.0Most Improved Player? https://t.co/SLaW8Qj8sO
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 18, 2024
11. Julius Randle - Minnesota Timberwolves (PF)
12. Kyle Kuzma - Washington Wizards (PF/SF)
13. Keegan Murray - Sacramento Kings (PF/SF)
Tier 4: High Floor
14. Tobias Harris - Detroit Pistons (PF/SF)
15. Aaron Gordon - Denver Nuggets (PF)
After seven years in Orlando, Aaron Gordon has found a perfect fit with the Denver Nuggets, entering his fifth season with the team. Since joining the Nuggets, he has become one of the most efficient players in the NBA, shooting over 50% from the field every season -- a feat he never achieved in Orlando.
Gordon has developed strong chemistry with frontcourt mate Nikola Jokic, and together they form one of the toughest tandems to defend in the league.
Gordon is poised to make significant contributions in points, rebounds, and field-goal percentage, while also making an impact on the defensive end. This presents managers with a valuable opportunity to strengthen those categories with a late-round pick.
16. Jerami Grant - Portland Trail Blazers (PF)
Tier 5: High Upside
17. Jabari Smith Jr. - Houston Rockets (PF/C)
18. Trayce Jackson-Davis - Golden State Warriors (PF/C)
In the 2023-24 season, the Golden State Warriors struggled to find clarity in their team dynamics, leaving players unsure of their roles. However, as the season progressed, that picture began to clear up.
Heading into the 2024-25 season, these issues should be resolved. This newfound clarity will allow their young players to showcase their potential and start making meaningful contributions.
One player poised to benefit from a defined role in the frontcourt and increased playing time is second-year forward Trayce Jackson-Davis. Since the 2023-24 All-Star break, TJD has averaged 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks, shooting an impressive 71% from the field.
While he may not contribute significantly in three-pointers or free-throw percentage, he has shown potential to create assists even as a big man. Managers seeking to boost their field-goal percentage and blocks should keep Jackson-Davis on their radar as a late-round pick.
TRAYCE JACKSON-DAVIS MY GOODNESS 😱 pic.twitter.com/n6cF5bvDpf
— NBA (@NBA) March 12, 2024
19. Jonathan Kuminga - Golden State Warriors (PF)
20. Taylor Hendricks - Utah Jazz (PF)
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