NBA Starters Who Should Be Moved to the Bench In 2024-25

A multitude of offseason moves will ultimately mean some NBA starters will lose their jobs during training camp.

This could be due to a top draft pick joining the franchise, a trade that's caused some positional overlap, a free-agent signing that's upgraded a spot or because a player is simply aging and there's a younger, perhaps better option waiting on the bench.

It may be strange to see some of the following All-Stars or high-level starters join the reserves, yet it will ultimately be the best move for their franchises in 2024-25.

Kevin Huerter, G/F, Sacramento Kings

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SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 16: Kevin Huerter #9 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on March 16, 2024 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Substitution to Make: Kevin Huerter to the bench for Keon Ellis

New Starting Five: PG De'Aaron Fox, SG Keon Ellis, SF DeMar DeRozan, PF Keegan Murray, C Domantas Sabonis

Kevin Huerter has started 134 of his 139 games as a member of the Sacramento Kings, yet the trade for DeMar DeRozan should have head coach Mike Brown considering a role change for the 25-year-old wing.

De'Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and DeRozan are all high-usage players who operate best with the ball in their hands. Huerter's primary strengths lie in his high-volume three-point shooting (38.5 percent from three on 6.1 attempts per game as a King) and underrated playmaking skills. Huerter is going to have the ball come his way far less often with DeRozan in the starting unit, however, especially with Sacramento needing to grow Keegan Murray's offensive role as well.

With Keon Ellis swapped in for Huerter, the Kings could have an extremely strong second unit led by Malik Monk, Huerter, Devin Carter (when he recovers from shoulder surgery), Jalen McDaniels, Trey Lyles and others.

Ellis, 24, started 24 games for the Kings following a season-ending injury to Huerter and provided some terrific defense and outside shooting. The former undrafted guard has worked his way from a two-way deal to a real NBA role, averaging 5.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and shooting 41.7 percent from three in his 17.2 minutes last season.

Over 94 percent of Ellis' three-point shots came off an assist, as he's perfectly content as a floor-spacer who doesn't need to eat up offensive possessions.

With DeRozan on board, adjustments will need to be made. Swapping Huerter out for Ellis gives the Kings better balance in their rotation overall.

John Collins, C, Utah Jazz

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ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 29: John Collins #20 of the Utah Jazz rebounds the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 29, 2024 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

Substitution to Make: John Collins to the bench for Walker Kessler

New Starting Five: PG Keyonte George, SG Collin Sexton, SF Cody Williams, PF Lauri Markkanen, C Walker Kessler

The John Collins experiment has not gone well in Utah, even though the Jazz were committed to starting the veteran big man despite his awful swing rating (minus-4.9, 27th percentile).

Starting Collins often came at the expense of Kessler, who was coming off a terrific freshman season in which he finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and looked like one of the best, young defensive centers in the NBA.

Trying to start a front line of Lauri Markkanen, Collins and Kessler was a disaster (minus-17.1 net rating in 328 total possessions, 4th percentile via Cleaning the Glass). When the Jazz went smaller with Markkanen at the 4, Kessler at the 5 and Collins off the floor, however, this number jumped all the way to plus-1.5 (59th percentile).

The Jazz need to commit to the Markkanen-Kessler frontcourt combo and consider starting rookie Cody Williams, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft, at small forward.

Trading for Collins was a risk worth taking given how little Utah had to give up (Rudy Gay and a 2026 second-round pick), yet he's not a good fit with this young core.

It's time to bench Collins and lean into a total youth movement around Markkanen.

CJ McCollum, G, New Orleans Pelicans

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 07: CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans dribbles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on April 07, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Pelicans defeated the Suns 113-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Substitution to Make: CJ McCollum to the bench for Trey Murphy III

New Starting Five: PG Dejounte Murray, SG Brandon Ingram, SF Trey Murphy III, PF Herb Jones, C Zion Williamson

The arrival of Dejounte Murray in New Orleans means CJ McCollum likely becomes the Pelicans' new starting shooting guard, although the 11-year veteran fits this new-look roster best now as a sixth man.

With no good option at center, we may see Zion Williamson get the nod with Daniel Theis and rookie Yves Missi as backups. It's a strategy that worked pretty well last season, as the Pelicans had a net rating of plus-11.5 by going small with Williamson at center and Herb Jones at power forward.

Putting one ball-handling guard (Murray), one big man (Williamson) and three lengthy, versatile wings on the floor at the same time is a strong recipe in today's NBA, and the Pelicans have the personnel to do so with Brandon Ingram, Jones and Trey Murphy III, who needs to be taking over McCollum's spot.

Murphy can replace McCollum's three-point shooting (39.2 percent in his first three seasons on 5.7 attempts a game) and serves as an athletic lob threat for Murray to find.

McCollum is still a really good NBA player but will be 33 before the season begins. The Pelicans no longer need his ball-handling skills in the starting lineup with Murray on board and need to carve out a bigger role for Murphy, who's extension-eligible.

If New Orleans doesn't trade Ingram, a starting five of Murray, Ingram, Murphy, Jones and Williamson with McCollum as an offensive force off the bench is the best strategy to use to begin the 2024-25 season.

Daniel Gafford, C, Dallas Mavericks

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 9: Daniel Gafford #21 of the Dallas Mavericks and Dereck Lively II #2 of the Dallas Mavericks high five during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 9, 2024 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Substitution to Make: Daniel Gafford to the bench for Dereck Lively II

New Starting Five: PG Luka Dončić, SG Kyrie Irving, SF Klay Thompson, PF P.J. Washington, C Dereck Lively II

Dereck Lively II served as the Dallas Mavericks' starting center for much of last season, although he was eventually moved to the bench following the trade for Daniel Gafford. Gafford would start 21 of his 29 regular-season games with the Mavs and all 22 postseason contests in the team's run to the NBA Finals.

Benching Gafford has little to do with him and everything to do with Lively and his future in Dallas.

Acquired in a 2023 draft-day trade thanks to some late-season tanking efforts, Lively has become the third-most important part of the Mavericks franchise given his defense, rebounding, relentless motor and passion for the game.

The 20-year-old looked extremely comfortable in the playoffs, even showing off a three-point shot that could become a regular part of his offensive repertoire. The 7'1" Lively is an ideal lob target and shot 71.3 percent off passes from Luka Dončić last season.

The Mavs had a net rating of plus-7.6 (86th percentile, via Cleaning the Glass) when Dončić and Lively shared the floor, a number that will only get better with time.

One can't help but root for Lively given all he's been through. He's a key piece to the Mavericks' present and future and should be starting over Gafford immediately.

Bradley Beal, G, Phoenix Suns

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 07: Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns controls the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Footprint Center on April 07, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Pelicans defeated the Suns 113-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Substitution to Make: Bradley Beal to the bench for Tyus Jones

New Starting Five: PG Tyus Jones, SG Devin Booker, SF Grayson Allen, PF Kevin Durant, C Jusuf Nurkić

Can the fourth-highest-paid player in the NBA really come off the bench?

Bradley Beal's $50.2 million contract for next season ranks only behind those of Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokić, three players who have combined to win six total MVPs.

Still, moving the veteran shooting guard to the bench would be the best thing for the Phoenix Suns, especially with the signing of a true point guard in Tyus Jones.

Jones certainly indicated that's he's been promised a starting job already, telling ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that "The chance to play for the Phoenix Suns made the most sense on a lot of levels to me and my family -- beginning with the way [governor] Mat Ishbia and the front office recruited me to how coach [Mike Budenholzer] showed me how I can significantly impact a team that has a real opportunity to challenge for an NBA title as their starting point guard."

A starting five of Jones, Beal, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkić certainly won't have any issues scoring, yet forces Booker or Beal to defend small forwards and leaves the bench a little weak.

Beal would get far more offensive opportunities in the second unit, staggering minutes between him, Booker and Durant. The Suns weren't greatly impacted by his presence with their two stars last season, with Phoenix registering a net rating of plus-7.5 (86th percentile) when Beal, Booker and Durant all shared the floor vs. when Beal was out of the game (plus-5.4, 79th percentile).

The Suns need Jones in the starting lineup to help fix their ball-handling woes (24th in assist-to-turnover ratio last season) and could use an elite floor-spacer like Grayson Allen (46.1 percent from three, No. 1 overall in the NBA) or a three-and-D, low-usage wing like Royce O'Neale between Booker and Durant.

Having a $50 million player as a sixth man seems like a ridiculous concept at first, yet this is the role Beal would be best in now with the Suns.