The power forward spot isn’t what it used to be. In today’s NBA, big guys can’t just camp in the paint, grab rebounds and put back easy layups. Teams expect them to hit outside shots, pass, guard multiple positions and even run the offense. That makes finding a great one crucial.
Heading into the 2026-27 season, there’s no shortage of talent for that role. You have seasoned veterans who still deliver night after night, alongside rising young stars taking over their franchises. Some of these guys are practically point guards in 7-foot frames.
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Of course, staying healthy is half the battle. Missing time can quickly derail a season, while staying on the floor gives these players a chance to climb even higher.
Here are the top 10 power forwards in the league heading into 2026-27.
10. Jaren Jackson Jr., Utah Jazz
Jaren Jackson Jr. only played 48 games in 2025-26, but he still put up 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2 assists a night. He started the season with Memphis before getting traded to Utah. Even with the missed time and team switches, getting nearly 20 points from him every night makes him a huge part of the offense.
What makes him special is how well he fits today’s game. On defense, he blocks shots at the basket and can step out to guard faster players. On offense, he knocks down threes. This pulls big defenders away from the paint and makes scoring easier for everyone else on his team.
9. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson played in 62 games during the 2025-26 season, which was a massive relief after years of injury troubles. He posted 21 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest while hitting 60 percent of his field goals, showing just how efficient he still is near the rim.
His point total was slightly down from earlier in his career, but when he decides to attack, nobody can really stop him. His mix of speed and power is unmatched. If he can string together another healthy year, he can easily jump higher on this list.
8. Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards
Anthony Davis had a tough time staying on the court in 2025-26, playing just 20 games. Still, when he was healthy, he looked like his usual dominant self, averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Grabbing over 11 boards a game shows he is still a monster on the glass.
Defense is where he really shines. He can swat shots, contest drives, and switch out onto smaller guys without getting burned. The only question mark with Davis is his health, if he can suit up for 60 or 70 games, he is easily a top-tier forward in the league.
7. Julius Randle, Brooklyn Nets
Julius Randle put together another strong year, averaging 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5 assists per game across 79 games. Now playing for the Brooklyn Nets, he brings a tough, physical style of basketball to his new team. He uses his pure strength to bully defenders out of his way, but he also has the ball-handling skills of a much smaller player to help run the offense.
Because he is built so well, it is almost impossible for defenders to push him around. He loves to back players down in the paint to score tough baskets. Also, he is a fantastic rebounder who will often grab a missed shot and immediately dribble up the court to start a fast break. Having a big guy who can rebound, pass and score with that kind of power makes him a huge piece for Brooklyn moving forward.
6. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
Pascal Siakam remains one of the most reliable power forwards in the NBA. He gives Indiana a steady scoring option and a strong secondary offensive hub. His championship experience also adds value to his game.
The Pacers reached the NBA Finals in 2024-25 with Siakam playing a key role. He followed that run by averaging 24 points in 2025-26. His transition finishing remains one of his biggest strengths. Siakam can also create his own shot and attack smaller defenders in the paint.
5. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Evan Mobley brings a strong defensive presence to Cleveland. He followed his 2024-25 Defensive Player of the Year season with another year of strong rim protection. His ability to switch onto different positions makes him even more valuable.
Offensively, Mobley has continued to improve. He averaged 18.2 points, 9 rebounds and a career-best 3.6 assists per game last season. That growth gives Cleveland a player who can affect games on both ends of the court.
4. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Scottie Barnes offers a rare mix of size, playmaking and defense. The 2021-22 NBA Rookie of the Year can guard several positions and still take on a major role with the ball. That versatility makes him an important part of Toronto’s lineup.
Playing 80 games in 2025-26 also showed his value through availability. Barnes averaged 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists last season, earning his second career All-Star selection. His ability to create plays while defending multiple positions keeps him among the league’s top forwards.
3. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Paolo Banchero bounced back after an oblique strain disrupted his 2024-25 campaign. He played 72 games last season and shot a career-best 45.9 percent from the field. Those numbers helped confirm his place as Orlando’s main offensive option. The 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year also average 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists last season.
His playoff run showed just how much scoring pressure he can handle. Banchero scored 45 points in Game 5 and 38 points in Game 7 against the Detroit Pistons. Unfortunately, the Magic fell in both games and dropped the series. Still, that big-game production gives Orlando a clear offensive leader heading into 2026-27.
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2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains one of the hardest players in the NBA to stop. His combination of size, speed and strength gives Miami a major advantage around the basket. He can also create offense in transition and make plays for teammates.
Health is the main question for the two-time NBA MVP heading into 2026-27. Giannis played only 36 regular-season games last season for the Milwaukee Bucks. Even with that limited schedule, he averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists while earning his 10th career All-Star selection. Major rankings, including HoopsHype, still place him at the top of the pure power forward group.
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1. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum reclaims the top spot after an incredibly resilient return from a right Achilles rupture suffered in the 2025 playoffs. Returning to the floor in March 2026, he seamlessly integrated back into the Celtics’ system for 16 regular-season games, proving his body and game were fully intact.
At age 27 or younger, Tatum became only the second player in NBA history to reach 13,000 points, 4,000 rebounds and 2,000 assists. By the time the 2026 playoffs arrived, he was back in elite form, averaging 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game.
One more number shows his immense value to Boston. The Celtics have an .890 win percentage, or a 76-9 record, over the last four seasons when Tatum’s usage rate reaches at least 33 percent. That kind of franchise-altering impact makes him the top power forward heading into the 2026-27 season.
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