Which NBA Team Has the Best Bench? (2026-27)
How important is it to have a good bench? More than ever before.
An All-Star caliber starting five doesn't feel like enough anymore. In a league overflowing with talent, having a dependable second unit can be the difference between a championship contender and an early playoff exit. And as the 2026-27 NBA regular season approaches, several teams have assembled second units that could give opposing starters a run for their money.
And throughout the preseason? We're getting a good look at them. These guys are getting their shine on while the starters clock in for just a quarter or two. What we're seeing as that some of these benches are loaded with difference-makers who will make or break some of these impactful games throughout the regular season.
But which teams boast the deepest and most dangerous second units in basketball? Here are our picks for the 10 best benches in the NBA entering the 2026-27 season.
Charlotte Hornets
Losing LaMelo Ball should've been a devastating blow for this franchise, but the Hornets responded by assembling one of the deepest and most intriguing supporting casts in basketball. Charlotte went all-in on proven role players, bringing in a collection of veterans capable of making an immediate impact. Dennis Schröder, who seemingly joins a new team every other week, brings spot up shooting and dependable playmaking, while Grayson Allen, fresh off a career-high 16.5 points per game, has an opportunity to rediscover his shooting touch and provide instant offense. Joining him from Phoenix is Royce O'Neale, a versatile 3-and-D specialist who connected on nearly 41% of his three-point attempts last season.
Grant Williams, meanwhile, is looking to put his injury troubles behind him and reestablish himself as a dependable stretch four. There's also Ryan Kalkbrenner, who shot a ridiculous 75% from the field as a rookie, giving Charlotte a record-breaking efficient interior scorer. And if that wasn't enough, the Hornets added two promising first-round selections in Christian Anderson and Hannes Steinbach to the roster. The loss of LaMelo has definitely changed Charlotte's identity, but with this much talent waiting in the wings, the Hornets have built a second unit capable of making some serious noise this season.
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz might have one of the most ridiculously stacked rosters in basketball, and their second unit is a huge reason why. With Ace Bailey and rookie sensation Darryn Peterson both pushing for starting roles, Utah has an embarrassment of riches waiting in the wings. The frontcourt alone is downright intimidating. Veteran Jusuf Nurkić, once healthy, and the rapidly improving Kyle Filipowski provide tremendous size and versatility, while high-flying Jaxson Hayes brings another dimension as an athletic rim-runner and lob threat. And that's just the big men. Isaiah Collier is blossoming into one of the league's most exciting playmakers, and Brice Sensabaugh enjoyed a breakout campaign last season, averaging 15 points per game on solid efficiency.
Defensively, Josh Okogie is an absolute pest who can make life miserable for opposing guards and wings. Need shooting? Svi Mykhailiuk is a dangerous perimeter marksman, and newly acquired Josh Green brings additional defensive versatility and experience to the rotation. There's almost an overwhelming amount of talent for Will Hardy to work with, and finding enough minutes for everyone could prove to be a challenge in itself. For a franchise looking to make some serious noise in the Western Conference, having this many capable contributors beyond the starting five is a tremendous luxury.
Indiana Pacers
After a nightmare 2025-26 campaign without Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers are looking to bounce back in a major way. And if their revamped second unit is any indication, they mean business. T.J. McConnell balled out last season as one of the most efficient backup point guards in basketball, a relentless floor general who can dissect defenses and change the tempo of a game from midrange in an instant. Newly acquired Kelly Oubre Jr. brings additional firepower, coming off a season where he averaged 14.1 points per game. Obi Toppin and Larry Nance Jr. give Indiana a pair of explosive, versatile forwards who can finish above the rim, and Jarace Walker is finally beginning to scratch the surface of his tremendous potential.
Quenton Jackson also emerged as a valuable contributor last season as a catch and shoot scorer who capped at around 47%. And then there's Jay Huff, who enjoyed a breakout campaign that put him in the Most Improved Player conversation. The 7-footer averaged 9.5 points and nearly two blocks per game, and now he gets to come off the bench for Zubac. It's an impressive collection of established veterans, high-energy contributors, and ascending young talent. With Haliburton finally back in the driver's seat, Rick Carlisle has the luxury of deploying a second unit that can maintain Indiana's trademark pace and keep the pressure on opponents for all 48 minutes. Don't sleep on the Pacers.
New Orleans Pelicans
Sleep on the New Orleans Pelicans at your own risk, because their second unit is absolutely loaded. How many teams in basketball can say they have TWO reigning All-Rookie selections coming off the bench? Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen were among the most impressive first-year players in the league last season, and both have the potential to develop into legitimate stars. But the talent doesn't stop with the youngsters. Saddiq Bey, who once erupted for a ridiculous 51 points in a single game, is coming off a career-best 17.7 points per game and gives New Orleans another dangerous scoring weapon. Former Eastern Conference champion Bennedict Mathurin brings explosive shot creation and experience, and former NBA champion Jordan Poole is another proven bucket-getter capable of catching fire at any moment.
And there's even more depth up front, with veteran big man DeAndre Jordan providing rebounding, physicality, and championship experience. Throw in a promising young contributor in Yves Missi (who can likely do more offensively) and it's hard not to be impressed by the sheer amount of talent on this roster. This is a team with multiple players who could realistically start elsewhere in the NBA, yet they're fighting for minutes in New Orleans. The Pelicans may not be everyone's pick to make noise in the Western Conference, but overlooking their bench would be a massive mistake.
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards might be the biggest wild card in basketball heading into the 2026-27 season, and their incredible depth is a major reason why. In seemingly the blink of an eye, Washington landed Trae Young, Anthony Davis, and the first overall pick in the NBA Draft, selecting generational prospect AJ Dybantsa. But here's the scary part: the Wizards were already assembling something special before those guys arrived. That promising young core is still very much intact, with Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson looking like potential stars in the making. Johnson is a gifted three-level scorer with tremendous offensive upside, and Carrington brings excellent court vision and managed to play all 82 games in both of his first two season. Then there's French sensation Bilal Coulibaly, an athletic two-way menace whose defensive versatility and ability to attack the rim make him a nightmare matchup.
And Washington isn't relying solely on its youngsters, either. Three-time All-Star and NBA champion Khris Middleton returns to the nation's capital after a brief stint in Dallas, and former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton gives the Wizards a legitimate starting-caliber center off the bench, while newly acquired Tre Mann adds another crafty shot creator to the backcourt. Throw in exciting young contributors like Will Riley and Justin Champagnie, and the Wizards suddenly have more capable players than they know what to do with. Washington may have spent the last several seasons dwelling in the Eastern Conference basement, but those days could be numbered. This is a roster overflowing with talent.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers might have the most absurdly crowded backcourt in basketball, and that's a fantastic problem to have. With Damian Lillard returning to Rip City and former All-Star Ja Morant joining the party, Portland suddenly has enough talent to field two legitimate starting backcourts. At this point in time, last year's starting backcourt of Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe are set to come off the bench, albeit Shaedon is likely to miss most of the regular season. Scoot Henderson, who showed considerable promise last season, averaged a career-high 14.2 points per game. That's an outrageous collection of guards, regardless of who ultimately starts. But the talent extends well beyond the perimeter.
Robert Williams III is an elite defensive presence when healthy, bringing tremendous rebounding and rim protection to the second unit. The former All-Defensive selection averaged seven rebounds and 1.5 blocks in just 17 minutes per game last season. Portland also added former lottery pick Jeremy Sochan, an athletic, versatile forward who could thrive in a new environment, and paired him with his former teammate, Sidy Cissoko. There are legitimate questions about how head coach Micah Nori will distribute minutes, but one thing is certain: Portland won't be lacking when its starters head to the bench.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Sam Presti has done it again. At this point, Oklahoma's depth almost feels unfair. Even after several offseason departures, Oklahoma City remains absolutely loaded with talent beyond its starting five. Ajay Mitchell was a revelation last season, averaging a career-high 13.6 points per game and emerging as a dependable substitute for Shai. Alex Caruso remains one of the most disruptive perimeter defenders in basketball, a two-time All-Defensive selection whose impact extends far beyond the box score. Jared McCain is another dangerous offensive weapon, and Nikola Topić is working his way back from injury and looking to finally establish himself as a regular contributor. But perhaps the scariest development of all? Oklahoma City just added another 7'3" monster to its frontcourt.
Rookie Aday Mara, the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, put the league on notice in just his second preseason appearance, erupting for 22 points on a PERFECT 10-for-10 shooting from the field. The kid didn't miss a shot. And if that wasn't enough, fellow rookie Bennett Stirtz poured in 20 points in that very same game. Throw in the stretch game of Jaylin Williams and veteran glue guy Kenrich Williams, and the Thunder have an embarrassment of riches at their disposal. Health was a pretty serious issue for the starters last year, and clearly having a good bench goes a long way. Despite the injuries, OKC managed to be Division Champs once again and that bench went a long way.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets don't just have depth. They have an entire arsenal of players capable of making life miserable for opposing teams. Reed Sheppard took a massive leap forward last season, averaging 13.5 points per game and shooting nearly 40% from beyond the arc, reminding everyone exactly why he was selected third overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. The Rockets went out and snatched former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart from the Lakers this summer, adding another battle-tested veteran who could realistically start if Fred VanVleet struggles to regain his form. Tari Eason remains an absolute menace on both ends of the floor with an increasingly dangerous perimeter shot that caught fire early last season. And good luck dealing with Houston's frontcourt.
Steven Adams is a bruising, physical presence who dominates the glass and sets bone-crushing screens, while former rebounding champion Clint Capela gives the Rockets another proven rim protector and interior finisher. The Rockets also secured Bogdan Bogdanović, a gifted offensive weapon who brings shot creation, and a dependable rookie crew including Bruce Thornton, Ohio State's all-time leading scorer. There are experienced veterans, ascending youngsters, defensive specialists, and versatility everywhere you look. This second unit has all the ingredients to be one of the most physically imposing and versatile benches in basketball.
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons won a ridiculous 60 games last season, and their second unit played a significant role in that success. One of the biggest surprises was Daniss Jenkins, an UNDRAFTED guard who emerged as the perfect backup to Cade Cunningham, averaging 9.3 points and 3.9 assists while providing dependable basketball IQ. And somehow, Detroit's bench looks even better heading into 2026-27. Kevin Huerter, who arrived midway through last season, gives the Pistons another proven perimeter scorer, while newly acquired sharpshooter Isaiah Joe brings some much-needed firepower from beyond the arc, having connected on over 40% of his three-point attempts last season. Veteran forward Taurean Prince is another excellent addition. But the youngsters might be the most exciting part of this group.
Former fifth overall pick Ron Holland II is an explosive, defensive-minded wing with tremendous upside, and Detroit added another intriguing prospect in Ebuka Okorie, the 17th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft who averaged over 23 points per game during his lone season at Stanford. Paul Reed remains a highly efficient interior presence, while rookie big man Ugonna Onyenso could bring additional shot-blocking potential to the fold. Detroit also upped Javonte Green's contract and kept developing shooter Chaz Lanier; it's hard to find many weaknesses in Detroit's reserves. The Pistons already established themselves as an Eastern Conference powerhouse last season, and the supporting cast is determined to help them do it again.
San Antonio Spurs
This was an NBA Finals-caliber bench last season, and somehow, it looks even more dangerous heading into this season. The rich just keep getting richer in San Antonio. Dylan Harper has all the makings of a future superstar, giving the Spurs another dynamic playmaker who can take over games at will. But the talent doesn't stop there. Keldon Johnson was dubbed the Spurs sixth man last season, and the towering Luke Kornet provides tremendous interior defense and rim protection. Julian Champagnie is a lethal perimeter threat who shoots 40% from beyond the arc, and Harrison Barnes is about as reliable a veteran as you'll find in today's NBA.
In all honesty, San Antonio continues to draft well and has a pretty substantial collection of youngsters, headlined by Carter Bryant and Jayden Quaintance, both of whom could be poised for significant contributions. There's scoring, shooting, defense, experience, and youthful upside everywhere you look. This isn't a second unit that's simply trying to hold down the fort while Victor Wembanyama catches his breath. It's a legitimate weapon that can overwhelm opposing benches and extend leads in a heartbeat. For a team that came within striking distance of an NBA championship last season, that's a terrifying thought.
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Having a good starting five is one thing. Having an entire army of capable players ready to step up when that superstar takes a breather? That's a different kind of luxury. With the regular season right around the corner, these are the second units to look out for.
Which NBA team do you think has the best bench in basketball? Did we overlook a deserving squad? And which second unit will make the biggest impact this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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Thanks for reading!
-Joel Piton
(@jp7ton)
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