With training camp for the 2025-26 season inching ever so closer, now’s the time to continue looking around the league–specifically the Eastern Conference–and rank the players at each position. Sixers Wire will rank each starter at each position in the East continuing with the power forward spot.

Currently, star forward Paul George holds down the Philadelphia 76ers at the position and will look to bounce back from a tough 2024-25 season in which he played only 41 games. His numbers were down across the board as injuries continued to limit him, but he will look to get back to his normal self in the coming season.

Please note that these starter rankings will be based on HoopsHype’s depth chart for each team in the NBA. 

Here is the ranking of each team’s projected power forward heading into the new season:

2024-25 stats: 8.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.0 spg, 37.2% FG, 32.2% 3FG

George got rushed into action as a rookie, but he probably needed time in the G League to help himself grow and develop and such. With that being said, on the flip side, George now should be in a much better position in the 2025-26 season to help the Wizards take a step forward due to the experience he was able to go through.

2024-25 stats: 9.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.5 bpg, 35.8% FG, 33.3% 3FG

Clowney is an athletic player who is expected to take another step forward in his third season in Brooklyn. The Nets will be looking for the youngster to improve in all facets of his game in order to help them finally move forward in this rebuild and keep pushing forward.

13. Chris Boucher, Boston Celtics

2024-25 stats: 10.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.7 apg, 0.5 spg, 49.2% FG, 36.3% 3FG

Boucher was acquired by the Celtics late in free agency and should be able to give Boston an athletic component at the power forward spot. He can also stick a 3 which is what the Celtics focus on around their stars as they focus on the math game. Boucher is also a capable defender as he is helpful in a variety of ways.

12. Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls

2024-25 stats: 8.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.9 bpg, 45.4% FG, 36.1% 3FG

Buzelis had a quietly productive rookie season. He got better as the year wore on, showed that he can knock down an open 3-pointer, and he played a big part in the Bulls making the play-in tournament. Buzelis should be able to take another step forward in his development due to the experience he got as a rookie.

11. Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets

2024-25 stats: 20.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.9 apg, 0.7 spg, 43.1% FG, 31.3% 3FG

Bridges has been limited by injuries, and he isn’t much of a 3-point shooter, but he has been a productive offensive player throughout his career. He can take defenders off the dribble, is a more than solid rebounder, and when he has played, has found a way to keep the Hornets in games. He has to be able to remain on the floor to help Charlotte take steps forward.

2024-25 stats: 13.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.0 spg, 47.7% FG, 34.5% 3FG

An absolute pro’s pro, Harris was a key reason for the Pistons having their historic turnaround from 14 wins to 44 and their first playoff win since 2008. The veteran forward played the mentor role to a T as he was able to help the youngsters develop quickly and he was a productive player on the offensive end. Overall, there is a lot Harris is able to do on the floor to help a team win.

2024-25 stats: 16.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.8 spg, 43% FG, 35.8% 3FG

George would be higher on this list if it weren’t for the injuries, but nonetheless, the 35 year old had to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in the offseason so one has to wonder if he can ever get back to the player he once was. With that being said, if George evolves into a 3-and-D player at this stage of his career, it isn’t the worst thing in the world.

8. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

2024-25 stats: 18.9 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.6 spg, 1.0 bpg, 50% FG, 31.2% 3FG

The only reason why Johnson isn’t higher on this list is because he was limited by injuries in 2024-25 and he isn’t much of a 3-point shooter. With that being said, if he were to stay healthy, Johnson could be an All-Star in 2026. He can do so many thing on the floor and the Hawks need him to run next to Trae Young to be successful in the coming season.

7. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks

2024-25 stats: 18.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.5 spg, 47.6% FG, 37.2% 3FG

The perfect piece for a contender, Anunoby really does everything on the floor. He can shoot, attack off the dribble, slash, make plays for others, and is a solid defender. He seems to make every big play when the game is on the line and the Knicks have benefited greatly from his presence in the Big Apple.

2024-25 stats: 18.1 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.3 spg, 48.5% FG, 35.7% 3FG

It feels weird to rank Adebayo with the power forwards, but the Heat will have him at that position alongside Kel’el Ware who will take on the center spot. Either way, Adebayo is a phenomenal defender. He takes on so many different assignments on a nightly basis and he carries a heavy load offensively as well. He’s this low on this list because the position is so deep in the East.

5. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

2024-25 stats: 18.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.6 bpg, 55.7% FG, 37% 3FG

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Mobley improved greatly in his fourth season as he was named an All-Star. For the Cavaliers to truly get over the hump in the East, they will need Mobley to be out there on the floor and continuing to take steps forward on the offensive end. There is a lot he can bring to the table and Cleveland should continue to tap into his offensive game a bit more.

4. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

2024-25 stats: 19.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 5.8 apg, 1.4 spg, 44.6% FG, 27.1% 3FG

A strong and versatile player, Barnes took steps backward as a 3-point shooter in 2024-25 after shooting 34.1% the previous year, but if that part of his game continues to grow, then Barnes takes that next step for the Raptors. He would then able to be in a better position to lead Toronto back to the playoffs after missing the previous two seasons. He’s also an underrated defender which allows coach Darko Rajakovic to use him in different positions.

3. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

2024-25 stats: 25.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.8 apg, 0.8 spg, 45.2% FG, 32% 3FG

Limited by injuries in the 2024-25 season, Banchero wasn’t able to quite put on the show that some expected of him, but he played well in the playoffs and threw the Magic offense on his back. With the addition of Desmond Bane, there should be less pressure on Banchero–and Franz Wagner–to have to carry Orlando’s offense. Either way, Banchero is a terrific all-around player and will be a star in this league for a long time.

2. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers

2024-25 stats: 20.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.4 apg, 0.9 spg, 51.9% FG, 38.9% 3FG

Siakam feels criminally underrated in this league. He’s been a consistent scorer throughout his career and has made a difference in Indiana since the Pacers acquired him at the 2024 deadline. He’s a winner, a good rebounder, an underrated defender, and somebody who can be counted on night in and night out in the NBA. He’s a star and should be treated as such.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

2024-25 stats: 30.4 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 6.5 apg, 1.2 bpg, 60.1% FG, 22.2% 3FG

Well, of course, the top spot goes to Antetokounmpo. There’s not much to say about Giannis other than the dude is amazing. The way he can just bulldoze through defenders to get to the basket shows off his size and strength and he has improved in other areas of his game. He’s fantastic defensively and he can at least stick a mid-range jumper now. The Bucks would be nothing without him.