The power forward can easily be one of the most exciting positions in NBA 2K24. Even casual fans of basketball will recognize most of the names on this list from a highlight reel someplace, either defensively or offensively. Power forwards can post up with the best of them but they are also the spark plug for teams in need.

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Competing for rebounds, blocks, and points in the paint or on the step-back, a good player can make an elite power forward in NBA 2K24 win the game almost single-handedly. Quick enough to shut down forwards and centers, the position is also big enough to block and finish alley-oops when called upon.

10 Evan Mobley – 86

Most players need a few years to adjust to the league but Evan Mobley is immediately right in his prime. After making the All-Rookie First Team in 2022, Mobley made the All-Defensive First Team immediately afterward. The Cavaliers have scorers and needed defense. Mobley gives it to them.

Mobley’s career path is on an incredible trajectory. Cleveland looks to be back to regular playoff appearances after this last season. If the team improves as Mobley has, this is a young core with a sky-high ceiling.

9 Jaren Jackson Jr. – 87

If defense is the player’s primary concern, Jaren Jackson Jr. is the man in the NBA right now. He’s been the blocks leader in each of the last two years and won the Defensive Player of the Year award this last season en route to his first All-Star appearance.

There are great upcoming sports games but playing with Jackson in NBA 2K24 should be a blast. He’s a surprisingly good scorer at every level, too, which has made him indispensable for a Memphis squad that is one drama-free year away from big things.

8 Julius Randle – 87

Winning the Most Improved Player award after heading to New York, Julius Randle has only gotten better, making the All-Star Game twice, including last year. Randle averaged over 25 points per game, a high for his career and an astonishing amount for the power forward position.

The Knicks are trying to do something with a tight core here and Randle is at the center of their ambitions. They beat a talented Cavaliers team in the first round of the playoffs and stood tall against the Eastern Conference champions. With either a few more pieces or some continued progress for the squad, this team is going to be special very soon.

7 Pascal Siakam – 87

The NBA champion in Toronto, Pascal Siakam Set Career Highs in points per game and assists last year, really improving on his scoring game. He’s extremely difficult to guard since he can score from inside the paint or from three-point range.

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With a great sports game controller, this kind of freedom is something talented gamers will love. Scoring at every level and then being able to assist when opponents try to cut off the lanes makes Siakam extremely valuable for his squad.

6 Domantas Sabonis – 89

Domantas Sabonis is ranked fairly high on this list yet probably deserves to be even higher. He led the NBA in rebounds this last season and also set a career-high in shooting percentage at over 60%. There are incredible point guards that admire his accuracy.

Chasing down rebounds and shooting from range makes Sabonis valuable at both ends. He was a huge part of a Kings team that made the playoffs, ending the longest playoff drought in NBA history that started back in 2006. If the core crew sticks around, this team can go much further.

5 Zion Williamson – 92

Zion Williamson is the prototypical power forward, the huge, menacing force to score inside that fans expect. He’s a strong player that has way too much verticality for the muscle he packs. If New Orleans can keep him healthy, the Pelicans better be ready to make a big playoff run.

Unfortunately, after missing an entire year, Williamson came back strong, made the All-Star Game, and then missed all but the first 29 games due to another injury. The league knows and fears a Williamson at full strength, fans just hope he recovers quickly.

4 Anthony Davis – 94

A veteran in the league, Anthony Davis has championships at both the NCAA and NBA levels. Although Davis has missed the last few All-Star Games, it must be noted that he set career highs in rebounds per game and field goal percentage just this last season.

Seeing this kind of step forward for a player this late in his career is an exciting development. The best shooting guards often learn new ways to become threats on the court. Davis is doing everything he can for the Lakers, who are likely just a guard or two away from another title.

3 Jayson Tatum – 95

Every year for the last four years, Jayson Tatum has been in the NBA All-Star Game. This last year was his best, with Tatum reaching career highs in points, assists, and rebounds per game. The Celtics are always competitive and that’s largely because they’ve got Tatum on the team.

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Many times, a “stretch big” is a primary three-point shooter but Tatum is fine to shoot from about anywhere, including, of course, from beyond the arc. If Boston continues to be competitive, Tatum is going to make another Finals appearance very soon.

2 Kevin Durant – 96

Sometimes a player can be considered “unfair,” especially when they sink shots despite a perfectly played defense. Kevin Durant personifies this as he seems completely unfazed by a hand in his face. His quick, lengthy release is almost unblockable.

The Suns are hoping Durant can stay healthy for one or two more years so the team can win a championship. Durant plays both forward positions and is also one of the best small forwards in the NBA when moved to that spot.

1 Giannis Antetokounmpo – 97

There are no 7’0″ players that have the speed, strength, and movement of Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s a two-time MVP, a Finals MVP, a Defensive Player of the Year, and a title winner. Anything that involves a basketball, Antetokounmpo will do with the best of them.

He’s the only player in NBA history to finish in the top 20 in all five major statistics. This last season also saw Antetokounmpo score the most points per game of his career. It’s a terrifying thought that he’s finding ways to improve.

NBA 2K24 will be available on September 8th, 2024 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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