NBA 2K23: Best Power Forwards (PF) - Outsider Gaming (2024)

The position of power forward has changed in recent years with players being more versatile and well-rounded to meet the changing demands of the league. No longer are power forwards (and centers, mostly) lumbering bigs who mainly play defense and grab rebounds. While there are players who still have a similar style of play to past generations, most have adapted to the league in a variety of different ways as the position has evolved.

Below, you will find the best power forwards by overall rating in NBA 2K23. Unlike most point guards and centers, nearly every power forward in the game plays a secondary position, as do all seven featured players.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (97 OVR)

Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Overall: 97
Position: PF
Best Ratings: 98 Layup, 95 Perimeter Defence, 92 Defensive Rebound

There’s no surprise that the “Greek Freak” is the best power forward in NBA 2K23. Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the league and the first player in NBA history to finish a regular season in the top 20 in the five main counting statistics. The 27-year-old also led the Milwaukeed Bucks to their first NBA Championship since 1971 and was named Finals MVP after his performance in the 2021 Finals. He was also named 2020 Defensive Player of the Year.

Antetokounmpo has some quality inside scoring stats with 98 Layup, 91 Driving Dunk, and 85 Standing Dunk. He is also adept at shooting with his 81 Close Shot and 80 Mid-Range Shot. Defensively, he is incredibly impressive with his 95 Perimeter Defence, 91 Interior Defence, and 80 Block. Don’t forget he’s 6’11” with a wingspan well into seven feet, which makes him a monstrous problem for anyone attacking the basket. He is sure to snatch up any wayward balls as well with his 92 Defensive Rebound.

2. Kevin Durant (96 OVR)

Team: Brooklyn Nets
Overall: 96
Position: PF, SF
Best Ratings: 98 Mid-Range Shot, 98 Close Shot, 95 Layup

Kevin Durant has endured a hectic calendar year with lots of rumours floating around he was trying to force a trade out of Brooklyn, but it looks like he is set to stay for now. The Nets will be pleased to hold on to a player who won two NBA Championships with Golden State in 2017 and 2018, four scoring titles, multiple MVP awards, and Rookie of the Year when he first entered the league with the then Seattle SuperSonics.

“KD” is an offensive machine with his 98 pairing of Close Shot and Mid-Range Shot. From distance, he has 88 Three-Point Shot, which is one of the higher ratings in the game aside from Steph Curry’s anomalous 99 Three-Point Shot. His inside game is also incredibly strong with 95 Layup and 85 Driving Dunk, ensuring smooth finishes around the basket and to hammer the ball into the bucket when needed. The 33-year-old has an amazing 92 Ball Handle, which can bewilder his opponents creating space for an open jumper or drive. Defensively Durant’s biggest standout is his 85 Perimeter Defence, but focus on the offense with Durant.

3. Jayson Tatum (93 OVR)

Team: Boston Celtics
Overall: 93
Position: PF, SF
Best Ratings: 93 Close Shot, 93 Layup, 89 Mid-Range Shot

Drafted with the third overall pick by the Boston Celtics in the 2017 NBA Draft (the infamous Markelle Fultz draft), Jayson Tatum has gone on to be the face of the franchise and arguably one of the top ten players in the NBA. In 2022, he helped the Celtics reach the NBA Finals (a loss to Golden State) and helped Team USA win gold at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo that took place in 2021 due to the pandemic.

Tatum is a quality shooter with 93 Close Shot, 89 Mid-Range Shot. and 86 Three-Point Shot. His inside game is great with 93 Layup and 88 Driving Dunk. Basically, he is a massive offensive threat. The 24-year-old’s 86 Ball Handling skills show his quality to dazzle opponents and on the defensive side of his game he is solid with 89 Perimeter Defence.

4. Anthony Davis (90 OVR)

Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Overall: 90
Position: PF, C
Best Ratings: 94 Interior Defence, 90 Standing Dunk, 89 Close Shot

Anthony Davis will be hoping to get back on track, with a faltering Los Angeles team hoping to do much the same. The last two NBA seasons have seen “The Brow” spend more time on the sidelines than on the court after picking up injuries that kept him out for large spells.Still, when healthy (if healthy), Davis possesses the talent to be one of the best ever to play the position.

Davis is a fantastic inside scorer with some brilliant attributes, most notably his 90 Standing Dunk. He is also very handy in the post with 86 Post Fade and 83 Post Hook. From a shooting perspective, his strongest asset is his 89 Close Shot. From a defensive standpoint ,his impressive 94 Interior Defence will ensure opponents don’t have an easy time in the paint.

5. Zion Williamson (87 OVR)

Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Overall: 87
Position: PF, C
Best Ratings: 98 Layup, 97 Driving Dunk, 95 Standing Dunk

22-year-old Zion Williamson had a season to forget in 2021-2022, tied up with injuries and concerns over his weight. He missed the entire season and his recovery was slow. Williamson will hope to put that behind him and return to form when the NBA season begins and by all accounts, he appears to be ready to go. The 6’6” forward hopes to replicate the success that saw him selected as fourth youngest player to the NBA All-Star Game in 2021.

“Zanos” has some very impressive numbers both on the inside and in his athleticism. His 97 Driving Dunk and 95 Standing Dunk means defenders are going to get posterized, especially with his Hall of Fame Fast Twitch and Limitless Takeoff badges thrown into the mix. He also has an outstanding 98 Layup for a softer touch around the basket as well as his 92 Close Shot. Williamson’s 99 Vertical also has to be mentioned as it’s simply incredible.

6. Pascal Siakam (86 OVR)

Team: Toronto Raptors
Overall: 86
Position: PF, C
Best Ratings: 95 Close Shot, 86 Interior Defence, 85 Standing Dunk

Pascal Siakam was selected by the Toronto Raptors with the 27^th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. He went on to help the G League side win the 2017 Championship, also being named Finals Most Valuable Player. The Cameroonian would go on to be a part of the 2019 Raptors side who won the NBA Finals as well as winning the league’s Most Improved Player Award.

Siakam has a fantastic 95 Close Shot, making him a menace near the bucket. He is also incredibly dangerous in the paint with a variety of ways to attack. They’re topped by his 85 Standing Dunk and 80 Driving Dunk, enough to make defenders always take note of his whereabouts. The defensive highlight of his game is his 86 Interior Defence, meaning defenders will need some smart plays to glide by this 6’8” star.

7. Domantas Sabonis (86 OVR)

Team: Sacramento Kings
Overall: 86
Position: PF, C
Best Ratings: 98 Close Shot, 90 Defensive Rebound, 88 Layup

Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis was drafted eleventh overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, but was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder the same night. After playing through his rookie season with the Thunder, he was traded to Indiana in 2017, where he played for five seasons and was recently part of a trade deal that sent him to the Sacramento Kings.

Sabonis has a fabulous 98 Close Shot, but his other shooting numbers are slightly underwhelming, he makes up for this with his strong inside game with 88 Layup, 86 Post Hook, and 86 Post Fade. The 26-year-old does possess 90 Defensive Rebound, ensuring minimal second chance points or put backs for your opponents. He also has a gold Vice Grip badge, so good luck prying the ball out of this man’s hands.

All of the best power forwards in NBA 2K23

In the table below, you will find all of the best power forwards NBA 2K23.

Now you know all of the best power forwards in NBA 2K23. Which of the fours will you add to your team?