2023 NBA Free Agents: Strong Forwards

NBA Free Agent Tracker:
PG | SG | C | SF | PF

2023 NBA Free Agency: The top NBA free agent strong forward for 2023. Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of July 7, 2023.
By Mike Elworth. Follow Mike @MikeElworth24. For site updates follow @walterfootball.

Khris Middleton, SF, Milwaukee Bucks, UFA, 32
The Milwaukee all-star has returned from his knee injury, which may hurt his contract’s value, but he has been the second offensive option for one of the best teams in the NBA for awhile. He is also a talented defender. Middleton should be an all-star through most of his next contract.

Kelly Oubre, SF, Charlotte Hornets, UFA, 27
Oubre was a strong role player in Phoenix and Washington, but might be the second best player for the Hornets this season. He is also a solid defender and could be the third- or fourth-best player on an excellent team. He’s very likely to be traded.

Grant Williams, SF, Boston Celtics, UFA, 24
The Celtics actually denied Williams’ option for next season, but he’s been a revelation for them and will get a big contract this offseason from a team other than Boston. He is one of the NBA’s best shooters and a big three-and-d talent, who at 24 wil be one of the youngest free agents.

Dillon Brooks, SF, Memphis Grizzlies, UFA, 27
Brooks is a talented scorer and defender, but he is an average shooter, which is the only reason why he’s not a four-star free agent. Brooks plays his role so well for the Grizzlies that he needs to be re-signed by them.

Will Barton, SF, Toronto Raptors, UFA, 32
Barton continues to score the basketball and could have a huge role off the bench for Toronto, like when he was in Denver.

Harrison Barnes, SF, Sacramento Kings, UFA, 30
Barnes has been a strong scorer over his very long career and can still give you 15 points a night, but his shooting has been poor this season. Regardless, he is a huge part of an excellent team and still a solid starter.

Jae Crowder, SF, Milwaukee Bucks, UFA, 32
Jae Crowder wanted a trade for awhile and should be quite happy on the Bucks, as they just keep winning. He is a big-time energy three-and-d role player. Crowder has played well for the Bucks so far.

Caris LeVert, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers, UFA, 28
LeVert is a big-time talent, but injuries have really hurt his career. He is a very talented offensive player who can play point guard, shooting guard or small forward, and his versatiity makes him a valuable asset and fantastic sixth man.

Matisse Thybulle, SF, Portland Trail Blazers, RFA, 26
Thybulle is one of the best defenders in the NBA, but offensively is a project. It isn’t easy to be a guard or forward who cannot shoot, but if he is used correctly, he could be an excellent piece for a team.

Yuta Watanabe, SF, Brooklyn Nets, RFA, 28
This season, Watanabe is the NBA’s best shooter, hitting more than half his three-pointers. Watanabe is a specialist who should be paid well, as he is playing his best basketball for one of the league’s elite squads.

Bruce Brown, SF, Denver Nuggets, PO, 26
Brown is a hustle guy who simply helps his team win games. He defends, is an excellent shooter and an efficient scorer, and can be a solid playmaker. Brown deserves a bigger contract.

Keita Bates-Diop, SF, San Antonio Spurs, UFA, 27
Bates-Diop is an efficient shooter and scorer who is having a career year with the Spurs.

Justise Winslow, SF, Portland Trail Blazers, UFA, 27
Winslow isn’t the player many thought he could become, and he is a mediocre at best offensive player. Still, Winslow is a talented role player.

Cam Reddish, SF, Portland Trail Blazers, UFA, 23
Reddish is a scorer who just hasn’t found the right team. Given his talent, he would be a smart pickup for a franchise that wants an athletic small forward.

Joe Ingles, SF, Milwaukee Bucks, UFA, 36
Joe Ingles is 36 and is coming off injury, but is a big-time shooter, a strong playmaker and a solid veteran rotation guy.

Danuel House, SF, Philadelphia 76ers, PO, 29
House is an athletic scorer who has had a rough season shooting the basketball. Regardless, he plays a big role for a playoff team.

Derrick Jones Jr., SF, Chicago Bulls, PO, 26
Jones is a decent energy forward whose athleticism is his largest talent. He is not much of a scorer, but he plays hard and helps his team a lot.

Talen Horton-Tucker, SF, Utah Jazz, PO, 23
The former Lakers forward had a really nice stretch in Los Angeles, but this isn’t his season, as he hasn’t provided much help to the Jazz. If Horton-Tucker can perform like when he was with the Lakers, he could likely find more playing time for the Jazz.

Stanley Johnson, SF, San Antonio Spurs, UFA, 25
The former lottery pick is a solid role player who has played well this season and might be earning himself a semi-nice contract.

Troy Brown, SF, Los Angeles Lakers, UFA, 23
After receiving minutes, Brown has had a nice season for the Lakers, shooting the ball. Additionally, he is still quite young.

Oshae Brissett, SF, Indiana Pacers, UFA, 25
The Pacers forward had two very solid seasons in Indiana, but he is struggling this season and has had a smaller role. He is a talented scorer though.

Juan Toscano-Anderson, SF, Los Angeles Lakers, UFA, 30
Toscano-Anderson was an excellent role player for the Warriors. He probably should have stayed with Golden State because he’s had a very poor season with the Lakers.

Justin Holiday, SF, Dallas Mavericks, UFA, 34
The first of the Holiday brothers in the NBA, he has had a nice career as a three-and-d specialist. He has played well since signing with the Mavericks.

Rudy Gay, SF, Utah Jazz, UFA, 36
Rudy Gay has been in the NBA for a long time, and he could score the ball at an elite level at one time. Now, not so much, but he still can help a franchise.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo, SF, Milwaukee Bucks, UFA, 30
The second oldest of the four Antetokounmpo brothers is a teammate of his brother Giannis, arguably the NBA’s best talent, Thanasis Antetokounmpo has barely seen the court in his five seasons.