Small Forwards in NBA 2K26 are in an awkward spot right now. The problem isn't that it's not possible to build and be successful as a one in MyCareer or the Park, but rather it's becoming a niche, jack-of-all-trades, master of none position that's become a specialized pick that often feels outclassed by other positions.
This is because you can create a 6'8" Shooting Guard that does everything a small forward can do, but with better shooting badges, or you can create a formidable 6'10" or 6'11" Power Forward that has the size advantage while still being able to shoot and anchor the defense.
So, where does that leave the precarious SF position? The truth is, Small Forwards are slowly becoming a wasted position in NBA 2K. Most competitive players skip that position entirely and just go straight to a 6'8" SG Meta or PF builds. However, you're in luck because I've come up with two specific builds that make the SF position worth considering, and they both take advantage of unique height thresholds that give you the best of both worlds.
Here are the best Small Forward builds in NBA 2K26.
6'10" All-Around SF Build
- Height: 6'10"
- Weight: 215 lbs.
- Wingspan: 7'0"
- Archetype: Rim-Reaping Mid-Paint Scorer
This is probably the most complete Small Forward build you can make in NBA 2K26. At 6, you're big enough to guard other forwards and even some centers, but you have speed and agility to stay with guards on switches. Think of Miami Lebron James, but with better shooting.
Attribute Breakdown
Finishing | Shooting | Playmaking | Defense | Rebounding | Physical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Close Shot: 79 | Mid-range: 89 | Pass Accuracy: 65 | Interior Defense: 70 | Offensive Rebounding: 80 | Speed: 78 |
Driving Layup: 75 | Three-Point: 70 (Goes to 83 with Cap Breakers) | Ball Handle: 75 | Perimeter Defense: 83 | Defensive Rebounding: 85 | Agility: 75 |
Driving Dunk: 89 | Free Throw: 67 | Speed with Ball: 69 | Steal: 60 | Strength: 65 | |
Standing Dunk: 90 | Block: 84 | Vertical: 78 | |||
Post Control: 54 |
- Build Specialization: Shooting
At 6'10", you're able to match Power Forwards and Centers that would usually evicerate you in the paint. Moreover, with 89 Driving Dunk and 90 Standing Dunk, you're able to get contact dunks, which makes you a legitimate threat around the rim in any situation.
Your shooting splits are interesting here because you're going to need 5 cap breakers for this build to become an all-around offensive threat. On its own, this build makes for a decent mid-range shooter and a great cutter, but for this build to go from Andrei Kirilenko to Larry Bird, use those cap breakers.
On the defensive end, your 7'0" wingspan combined with 84 Block and Silver High Flying Denier and Silver Paint Patroller means that you're capable of swatting shots and getting chase-down blocks. You're also able to guard stretch bigs or smaller guards if they switch on pick-and-rolls/fades.
6'9" ISO Scorer SF Build
- Height: 6'9"
- Weight: 185 lbs.
- Wingspan: 6'10"
- Archetype: 2-Way 3PT-Sniping High Flyer
This build is essentially a 3-and-D wing but with way more athleticism to offer. It's a small forward version of the 6'8" Shooting Guard, which dominates the meta right now. In the hands of the right player, this build can compete against the best scorers while still playing solid defense.
Attribute Breakdown
Finishing | Shooting | Playmaking | Defense | Rebounding | Physical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Close Shot: 74 | Mid-range: 80 | Pass Accuracy: 75 | Interior Defense: 60 | Offensive Rebounding: 75 | Speed: 85 |
Driving Layup: 80 | Three-Point: 88 | Ball Handle: 63 (Improve to 80 with Cap Breakers) | Perimeter Defense: 92 | Defensive Rebounding: 62 | Agility: 80 |
Driving Dunk: 93 | Free Throw: 82 | Speed with Ball: 67 (Improve to 75 with Cap Breakers) | Steal: 73 | Strength: 65 | |
Standing Dunk: 72 | Block: 78 | Vertical: 80 | |||
Post Control: 49 |
- Build Specialization: Shooting
This build is all about being faster and more explosive than the 6'10" All-Around SF Build. Your bread and butter here will be corner 3 shots, but you're also able to create your own shots off the dribble or drive all the way to the rim if you need to.,
In order for this build to be effective, you need to use cap breakers. You start with a 63 Ball Handle and 57 Speed with Ball, but with cap breakers, you can improve them to a whopping 80 and 75, respectively.
93 Driving Dunk combined with 80 Vertical gives you Hall of Fame Aerial Wizard and Gold Posterizer badges, plus you're able to get contact dunks. On the defensive side, that means getting Gold Pogo Stick and Silver High Flying Denier for challenging or blocking shots.
Shooting is the main highlight of this build because you can choose to improve it with cap breakers to get Gold Deadeye, Gold Set Shot Specialist, Gold Shifty Shooter, and Silver Limitless Range.
On the defensive end, your main role is to guard the perimeter. You're a solid wing player who can chase those players looking for their corner shots. The only weakness of this build is that it cannot switch against strong post players defensively, so if you're using this build, play and think like PJ Tucker during his Milwaukee Bucks days.
And there you go! The best Small Forward builds for NBA 2K26.
Both builds give you everything you need to fulfill the role of a small forward in the game. Pick the one that matches your playstyle and show everyone that being underrated doesn't mean snuffed out in NBA 2K26.
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