Bad: the bottom-5 benches in the NBA
26. Chicago Bulls
Projected Bench:
G – Coby White
G – Alex Caruso
F – Troy Brown Jr.
F – Derrick Jones Jr.
C – Tony Bradley
A bunch of questions marks and uninspiring veterans. This bench could end up solid, but they could also get in their own way a lot.
Chicago seems persistent on taking a step backwards every time they take two steps forward, so this bench is actually better than expected.
27. New Orleans Pelicans
Projected Bench:
G – Tomas Satoransky
G – Kira Lewis Jr.
F – Josh Hart
F – Willy Hernangomez
C – Jaxson Hayes
Tomas Satoransky, Josh Hart, and Jaxson Hayes are all pretty rock solid, but don’t offer a very high ceiling. Kira Lewis Jr. could turn out to be something special one day, but for now is an undersized project piece and Willy Hernangomez isn’t anything to write home about.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
Projected Bench:
G – Patrick Beverley
G – Josh Okogie
F – Jake Layman
F – Taurean Prince
C – Jarred Vanderbilt
We’ve gotten to the point of the rankings where some of these players wouldn’t even be on any other rosters. Beverley is a known commodity and will provide hardnosed perimeter defense and hit open threes. Taurean Prince is a decent 3-and-D wing.
Outside of that, the T-Wolves don’t have much to offer relief to their young stars who may or may not be there to finish the season.
29. Detroit Pistons
Projected Bench:
G – Killian Hayes
G – Hamidou Diallo
F – Josh Jackson
F – Kelly Olynyk
C – Trey Lyles
The Pistons bench is comprised of a bunch of prospects that probably wouldn’t get another chance with other teams and Kelly Olynyk. Olynyk has turned himself into quite the offensive weapon, but could struggle to score when the defense is solely focused on stopping him.
30. Oklahoma City Thunder
Projected Bench:
G – Theo Maledon
G – Josh Giddey
F – Kenrich Williams
F – Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
C – Derrick Favors
Derrick Favors probably won’t finish the season on the Thunder bench as he’ll be shipped out as soon as he’s eligible and OKC receives an offer with enough future capital to entice them.
The other four prospects could each have good games on any given night, but this unit as a whole probably won’t put together any completely impressive performances. You can’t ask much more from a team that’s actively trying to lose games that they’re using as extended tryouts for the future, though.