NBA 2K23: Best Small Forward Builds

Looking for the best Small Forward builds for NBA 2K23? The Small Forward, also known as The Three, is shorter than the Power Forward, and tends to operate as an all-rounder. If you're playing this position, your role will revolve around ball handling, playmaking, and shooting — but you'll also be required to excel on defense, too.

NBA 2K23: Best Small Forward Builds

Included below, as part of our NBA 2K23 guide, are our best Small Forward builds, complete with Body Settings, Attributes, Takeover, and best Badges recommendations. You can also find the best animations and jumpshots for this position through the link.

3-Level Scorer

This new-gen Small Forward build is a fantastic all-rounder, with strong shooting, defense, and physical attributes across the board. This build can reach a maximum 99 OVR rating, and can be upgraded with 79 Badge Points, including: 17 Finishing Badge Points, 26 Shooting Badges, 15 Playmaking Badge Points, and 21 Defense / Rebounding Badge Points.

Body Settings

• Height: 6'10"
• Weight: 210lbs
• Wingspan: 7'3"

Attributes

Finishing

• Close Shot: 70
• Driving Layup: 83
• Driving Dunk: 84
• Standing Dunk: 76

Shooting

• Mid-Range Shot: 87
• Three-Point Shot: 87
• Free Throw: 75

Playmaking

• Pass Accuracy: 70
• Ball Handle: 80
• Speed with Ball: 71

Defense / Rebounding

• Interior Defense: 82
• Perimeter Defense: 81
• Steal: 46
• Block: 80
• Offensive Rebound: 66
• Defensive Rebound: 85

Physicals

• Speed: 80
• Acceleration: 77
• Strength: 60
• Vertical: 76
• Stamina: 90

Takeover

• Primary Takeover: Limitless Range
• Secondary Takeover: Spot Up Precision

Badges

Finishing Badges

Tier 1

• Slithery: Silver

Tier 2

• Fearless Finisher: Bronze
• Limitless Takeoff: Silver
• Masher: Bronze

Tier 3

• Fast Twitch: Bronze
• Posterizer: Bronze (Core Badge)

Shooting Badges

Tier 1

• Middy Magician: Silver
• Space Creator: Hall of Fame
• Volume Shooter: Hall of Fame

Tier 2

• Corner Specialist: Gold
• Green Machine: Gold

Tier 3

• Catch & Shoot: Gold (Core Badge)
• Limitless Range: Silver

Playmaking Badges

Tier 1

• Clamp Breaker: Silver
• Handles for Days: Bronze
• Hyperdrive: Silver
• Killer Combos: Silver
• Mismatch Expert: Bronze

Tier 2

• Bail Out: Bronze
• Quick First Step: Silver

Tier 3

• Unpluckable: Bronze (Core Badge)

Defense / Rebounding Badges

Tier 1

• Ankle Braces: Silver
• Interceptor: Bronze
• Work Horse: Hall of Fame

Tier 2

• Challenger: Silver
• Chase Down Artist: Gold

Tier 3

• Anchor: Bronze
• Rebound Chaser: Silver (Core Badge)

Inside-Out Scorer

This new-gen Small Forward build is a fantastic finisher, shooter, and ball handler, with just enough defense to get the job done, particularly on the perimeter. This build can reach a maximum 99 OVR rating, and can be upgraded with 69 Badge Points, including: 16 Finishing Badge Points, 22 Shooting Badges, 21 Playmaking Badge Points, and 10 Defense / Rebounding Badge Points.

Body Settings

• Height: 6'8"
• Weight: 236lbs
• Wingspan: 7'5"

Attributes

Finishing

• Close Shot: 80
• Driving Layup: 80
• Driving Dunk: 93
• Standing Dunk: 50
• Post Control: 30

Shooting

• Mid-Range Shot: 79
• Three-Point Shot: 85
• Free Throw: 65

Playmaking

• Pass Accuracy: 80
• Ball Handle: 87
• Speed with Ball: 77

Defense / Rebounding

• Interior Defense: 58
• Perimeter Defense: 71
• Steal: 52
• Block: 27
• Offensive Rebound: 70
• Defensive Rebound: 71

Physicals

• Speed: 82
• Acceleration: 74
• Strength: 90
• Vertical: 82
• Stamina: 94

Takeover

• Primary Takeover: Finishing Moves
• Secondary Takeover: Limitless Range

Badges

Finishing Badges

Tier 1

• Giant Slayer: Bronze
• Pro Touch: Bronze
• Rise Up: Bronze

Tier 2

• Fearless Finisher: Silver
• Masher: Bronze

Tier 3

• Bully: Silver (Core Badge)
• Posterizer: Silver

Shooting Badges

Tier 1

• Middy Magician: Bronze

Tier 2

• Agent 3: Silver
• Green Machine: Gold

Tier 3

• Blinders: Silver
• Catch & Shoot: Gold (Core Badge)
• Limitless Range: Silver

Playmaking Badges

Tier 1

• Ankle Breaker: Hall of Fame
• Hyperdrive: Silver

Tier 2

• Bail Out: Bronze
• Quick First Step: Gold

Tier 3

• Clamp Breaker: Gold (Core Badge)
• Unpluckable: Gold

Defense / Rebounding Badges

Tier 1

• Ankle Braces: Silver
• Boxout Beast: Gold
• Brick Wall: Gold
• Menace: Silver
• Off-Ball Pest: Hall of Fame

3PT Shot Creator

This current-gen Small Forward build is a great all-rounder, with good shooting, finishing, defense, and ball handling skills. This build can reach a maximum 99 OVR rating, and can be upgraded with 72 Badge Points, including: 12 Finishing Badge Points, 20 Shooting Badges, 21 Playmaking Badge Points, and 19 Defense / Rebounding Badge Points.

Body Settings

• Height: 6'8"
• Weight: 193lbs
• Wingspan: 7'6"

Attributes

Finishing

• Close Shot: 53
• Driving Layup: 73
• Driving Dunk: 93
• Standing Dunk: 48

Shooting

• Mid-Range Shot: 74
• Three-Point Shot: 85
• Free Throw: 71

Playmaking

• Pass Accuracy: 78
• Ball Handle: 89
• Speed with Ball: 80

Defense / Rebounding

• Interior Defense: 70
• Perimeter Defense: 86
• Steal: 80
• Block: 85
• Offensive Rebound: 59
• Defensive Rebound: 73

Physicals

• Speed: 84
• Acceleration: 77
• Strength: 45
• Vertical: 78
• Stamina: 88

Takeover

• Primary Takeover: Playmaker
• Secondary Takeover: Slasher

Badges

Finishing Badges

• Fearless Finisher: Bronze
• Limitless Takeoff: Gold
• Posterizer: Gold
• Slithery: Silver

Shooting Badges

• Agent 3: Silver
• Amped: Bronze
• Blinders: Silver
• Deadeye: Silver
• Green Machine: Gold
• Limitless Range: Silver
• Volume Shooter: Silver

Playmaking Badges

• Bail Out: Bronze
• Clamp Breaker: Gold
• Handles for Days: Silver
• Hyperdrive: Bronze
• Quick First Step: Hall of Fame
• Unpluckable: Silver

Defense / Rebounding Badges

• Challenger: Gold
• Chase Down Artist: Gold
• Clamps: Silver
• Interceptor: Silver
• Menace: Gold
• Rebound Chaser: Bronze

NBA 2K23: Best NBA Team to Pick for Small Forwards

Wondering what's the best NBA team to pick for Small Forwards? Once you've finished creating your Small Forward build, you'll need to select an NBA team to get drafted to in order to begin your MyCareer. While you can of course pick your favourite franchise, we do have a few recommendations for you, based on existing rosters and how you can best complement them in your position:

• Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young is one of the most talented Point Guards in the NBA right now, and with him teeing you up, along with tons of other stars in the back court, you'll slot right in.
• Minnesota Timberwolves: With Centers Karl-Antony Towns and Rudy Gobert, as well as Point Guard D'Angelo Russell, the Timberwolves are absolutely stacked with talent, except in the Small Forward position. The playmaking and finishing potential is off-the-scale here, and you could be the missing piece in this otherwise loaded roster.
• Philadelphia 76ers: Between Center Joel Embiid and Point Guard James Harden, the 76ers are serious contenders. Harden likes to assist, so you'll have plenty of points potential here, and with Embiid bullying opponents, you'll have a shot at a championship here.

Really, it's up to you which team you pick, but you'll want to consider the talent around you in order to maximise your progress and earn your Badges as quickly as possible. As a Small Forward you'll be looking to dominate the court with all-round play. Look for teams with great Guards and Centers, who you can complement to win a championship.

What do you think are the best Small Forward builds for NBA 2K23? Do a bit of everything, and check out our NBA 2K23 guide for more, including best Center builds, best Power Forward builds, best Shooting Guard builds, and best Point Guard builds.