In NBA 2K26 MyTEAM, the small forward position is one of the most versatile and impactful spots on the court. Whether you need elite defense, explosive slashing, consistent shooting, or a complete all-around presence, the best small forwards can completely change the flow of your offense and shore up your defense. With new content dropping weekly and card updates constantly shifting the meta, ranking these players requires considering attributes, animations, badges, player models, and overall value. And with many players choosing to buy NBA 2K26 MT to speed up their roster upgrades, understanding which cards actually perform at a top-tier level becomes even more important. This guide breaks down the top small forwards available right now, including three honorable mentions that nearly cracked the top 10. While the skill gap and player preference always matter, these rankings reflect how each card performs in real gameplay situations-not just how they look on paper.

Honorable Mentions

13. Pink Diamond Kevin Durant

KD should be elite. He has the height, the scoring package, and the animations that typically make him top-tier. But this version of KD feels inconsistent. He plays fine on offense, but he can’t reliably act as your primary ball handler, and defensively he struggles compared to other elite wings. His release is smooth but not exceptional, and his movement is less explosive than expected. KD is far from bad, but compared to the rest of the field, he just doesn’t bring anything game-changing.

12. Pink Diamond Glenn Rice

Glenn Rice is the definition of a player who’s better against you than for you. If you’ve faced Glenn, you already know-he never misses. Offensively, he's a flamethrower with hot zones everywhere and a lightning-fast green window. He’s not as tall or as versatile defensively as some above him on the list, but the offensive upside alone earns him a spot at #12.

11. Galaxy Opal Julius Randle

If you got the Leave No Doubt edition, you already have Randle-and he’s much better than many expected. With 37 total badges and a strong physical profile, Randle is a rugged slasher who offers great defense and surprisingly reliable shooting. He’s not flashy, but he does everything well, giving him real value at this tier.

Top 10 Small Forwards in NBA 2K26 MyTEAM

10. Galaxy Opal Jason Tatum

Tatum has strong all-around stats and great defense at 6'8", but he suffers from lackluster movement and a release that’s simply “good,” not elite. Some players love his jumper, but compared to the top-tier wings, Tatum just doesn’t create advantages consistently.

9. Tom Gugliotta

This might be the first controversial ranking, but Tom Gugs earns it. He’s 6'10", moves shockingly well, and has great badges across the board. He may lose some stats compared to Tatum, but his movement, dunking, and release consistency push him ahead.

8. Galaxy Opal James Worthy

Worthy brings length, speed, and a buttery quick jumper thanks to the John Wall base. With high-level defensive stats and a smooth overall feel, Worthy plays above his ratings and provides more versatility than Tatum.

7. Galaxy Opal Larry Johnson

LJ is a badge monster with 90s across nearly every major stat line. His Malik Beasley base is crisp, his dunking is elite, and he gets essentially every badge in the game. At this point in the list, preference plays a major role-if you like strong, bully-style SFs, LJ could be even higher.

6. Galaxy Opal Draymond Green

Draymond might not be tall, but he’s elite everywhere else: quick release, elite defensive stats, excellent playmaking, and incredible movement. If height didn’t matter so much in competitive modes, he’d be even higher.

5. Pink Diamond Kawhi Leonard

One of the fastest and easiest releases in the entire game. Kawhi is a defensive menace with automatic shooting—exactly what you want in a competitive lineup. If he’s open, it’s green every time.

4. Andre Kirilenko (AK-47)

AK remains one of the best pure 3-and-D options ever. His defensive stats are ridiculous, his release is fast, and his player model is among the best for locking down perimeter and interior threats. He’s expensive, but worth it.

3. Pink Diamond Cooper Flagg

Cooper has grown on players over time. His build, wingspan, defensive ability, and reliable release make him one of the most complete wings in the mode. Compared to AK, he offers incredible value without requiring a lock-in.

2. Pink Diamond LeBron James

If you secured this LeBron, you’re using one of the best cards in the game. His release is elite this year, his player model is unmatched, and his stats are maxed where they matter. He’ll be meta for months.

1. Dark Matter Carmelo Anthony (Rep Level)

Most players will never get Carmelo-but he is unquestionably the best small forward in NBA 2K26. Elite animations, elite scoring, elite defense, elite everything. The grind is extreme, but the reward is the top SF in the game.

Final Thoughts

With the scarcity of Galaxy Opals and the massive grind required for Dark Matter Carmelo, card accessibility is a big factor in NBA 2K26 MyTEAM this year. Whether you're opening packs or trying to make smart upgrades with Cheap NBA 2K MT, the rankings above reflect both on-court impact and realistic availability, helping you build your lineup with confidence-whether you're grinding offline challenges or pushing into the highest levels of competitive play. If you disagree with any placements, good-because many of these rankings come down to preference. Try different players, experiment with releases, and find the small forward who fits your style best.