From Giannis Antetokounmpo’s new era to Chet Holmgren’s championship pedigree, discover which elite stars dominate the paint as we rank the league’s most versatile defensive anchors.
In this five part Roundtable series, I will count down the players that I believe will be the best at their position for the upcoming NBA season. Next up, the power forwards.
The OKC Thunder boast an All NBA/All Star/All Defense talent at the four spot. While center may be Chet Holmgren's most natural position, he starts at power forward due to the double big lineup alongside Isaiah Hartenstein. While Game 7 of the 2026 Western Conference Finals may have absurdly cost Holmgren some NBA2K rating points, the maker of this ranking does not have a short memory.
Top 10 Power Forwards For 2026-2027
10. Jaren Jackson Jr. The former Defensive Player of the Year will provide the new look Utah Jazz with much needed rim protection. Just don't ask Jackson Jr to grab any rebounds. Or his stat keepers for accurate block numbers.
9. Jalen Johnson. One of last season's biggest breakout stars. The new face of the Atlanta Hawks was selected as a first time All-Star and All-NBA member in 2026.
8. OG Anunoby. Arguably the greatest hero in the New York Knicks' NBA Finals win over the San Antonio Spurs. Top tier defender, efficient scorer and nonstop motor.
7. Pascal Siakam. While some NBA fans may have forgotten about him during the Indiana Pacers' gap year, the return of Tyrese Haliburton and the addition of Ivica Zubac should provide a good reminder of Siakam's greatness.
6. Evan Mobley. Despite the top tier defense from his 2025 DPOY remaining intact last season, Mobley's offensive efficiency and shooting numbers took a big step back.
5. Chet Holmgren. Apparently, everyone in the basketball community was zapped with the Men In Black memory wiper over the summer. Somehow, the world collectively forgot that Holmgren finished #2 in Defensive Player of the Year voting and was tabbed as an All-Star, All-NBA and All-Defense selection. And that he anchored the league's best defense en route to an NBA Championship at 23 years old.
4. LeBron James. Look, I don't know whether this is too high or too low for his age 42 season. Which means I probably threaded the needle to just the right spot.
3. Scottie Barnes. A unique point forward who doubles as an elite, versatile defender. Toronto finally got Barnes a running mate that should provide a playoff spotlight to his talents.
2. Jayson Tatum. Jaylen Brown is going to be so upset when he sees that Tatum was ranked one place higher at his position than he was in the small forwards list.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two time MVP will play for a new team for the first time in his career next season. He will turn 32 in early December. And Antetokounmpo is still a no brainer for the top spot.
