10 NBA Bench Players Who Should Start in 2012-13

The role of providing legitimate production coming off the bench is becoming increasingly more important in the ranks of the NBA.

With that being said, there are players who are still coming off their team's bench when they should be seeing increased minutes in their starting lineups.

Players like James Harden, Thaddeus Young and Mo Williams are among the players who've earned the right to be starters on their respective teams—especially when it comes to the 2012-13 season.

Ahead are 10 bench players who should be starters in the 2012-13 season.

Brandon Rush, SG, Golden State Warriors

2011-12 Stats—9.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 50.1 FG%

2011-12 Games Started—One Game 

When the Golden State Warriors traded Monta Ellis away this past season, Klay Thompson filled in as the starting shooting guard, and he didn't do all that bad for a rookie.

While Thompson averaged 12.5 points per game this past season, he did so while shooting just 44.3 percent.  That's certainly not bad, but the Warriors have a better and more efficient option in Brandon Rush.

In just 26.4 minutes per game this past season Rush managed to shooting above 50 percent while accounting for almost 10 points per game.  In the last three games of the season, when Rush played 30-plus minutes, he averaged an impressive 19.5 points per game on 64.9 percent shooting, which goes to show just how productive he can be when he gets enough minutes.

At 6'6'' and 225 pounds, Rush is also a more physical option for the Warriors at the shooting guard spot, which they'll need to contend in the West. 

Starting Chances—50 Percent 

Thaddeus Young, F, Philadelphia 76ers

2011-12 Stats—12.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 50.7 FG%

2011-12 Games Started—One Game

With the future of Elton Brand in Philadelphia in doubt (via SI.com), it's time for the 76ers to make the smart move and insert the young and explosive Thaddeus Young into their starting lineup heading into the 2012-13 season.

Not only is Young a younger and more athletic version of Brand at the power forward spot, he's also a better defender and more explosive on the glass. 

The 76ers have one of the youngest and most exciting rosters heading into the 2012-13 season and if they want to contend again in the Eastern Conference they absolutely must start Young.

With Young solidifying the 76ers' frontcourt with Spencer Hawes there's no telling just how dominant the 76ers can be in the East next season.

Starting Chances—75 Percent

Omer Asik, C, Chicago Bulls

2011-12 Stats—3.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 50.6 FG%

2011-12 Games Started—Two Games

Omer Asik is heading into the qualifying offer year of his contract with the Chicago Bulls, and with so much cap space tied up in Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer, it's going to be hard for them to retain him.

With that being said, Asik will certainly garner a lot of interest this offseason based purely on his 7'0'' and 255-pound frame.  Asik is the kind of player who, on the right team, can make an immediate impact and find his way into a starting lineup where he can consistently put up double-doubles.

Seeing that this past season Asik put up 3.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in just 14.7 minutes per game, it's safe to say that if he gets 29-plus minutes he'll be a productive starter in the NBA.

The fact that Asik has yet to be a consistent starter in the NBA could hold him back next season, but I expect him to find a team next year that is willing to take a risk on him. 

Starting Chances—55 Percent 

James Harden, SG, Oklahoma City Thunder

2011-12 Stats—16.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.7 APG, 49.1 FG%

2011-12 Games Started—Two Games

Alright Oklahoma City, Harden got his Sixth Man of the Year award.  It's time to put him into the starting lineup.

There's no reason why Harden shouldn't currently be starting for the Thunder.

Sure, their system of bringing Harden off the bench has certainly helped out their talent, with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on the court.  But that doesn't mean they couldn't be a little bit better with him in the starting lineup. 

If anything, the Thunder need to try Harden in the starting lineup next season just to see how it goes.  If it works out, then there's no reason why Harden should ever start an NBA game on the bench again.

If it doesn't work out then the Thunder can go back to their tried and true formula of Harden being their first man off the bench.

Starting Chances—25 Percent

O.J. Mayo, SG, Memphis Grizzlies

2011-12 Stats–12.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, 40.8 FG%

2011-12 Games Started—Zero Games

The O.J. Mayo experiment in Memphis hasn't worked out quite like the Grizzlies had hoped, and that means it's time to part ways with their often-times underperforming shooting guard.

Mayo had his two best seasons with the Grizzlies in 2009 and 2010 as a starter, when he averaged 18 points per game on 44.8 percent shooting.  That production will help Mayo earn a starting job with another team next season—assuming the Grizzlies don't match his $7.4 million qualifying offer.

On the right team there's no doubt that Mayo can become one of the top shooting guards in the league.  He's an explosive athlete and when he's on, he's one of the best perimeter shooters in the game.

If Mayo starts the season with the Grizzlies he'll certainly be on the bench again.  If another team is able to steal him from Memphis, however, he'll earn the starting job he's deserved for the past two seasons.

Starting Chances—70 Percent

Jason Terry, SG, Dallas Mavericks

2011-12 Stats—15.1 PPG, 3.6 APG, 43.0 FG%

2011-12 Games Started—One Game 

Jason Terry, who's an unrestricted free agent this offseason, will be 35 years old when the 2012-13 season starts, but that doesn't mean his best days are behind him.

Okay, maybe his best days are behind him, but he's still ready to be a productive member of an NBA roster, especially if he finds a team that's ready to insert him into their starting lineup.

This past season Terry averaged 31.7 minutes per game, which is just a few minutes less than most starters in the NBA.  While bringing Terry off the bench for the Mavericks last year worked in theory, Terry still has enough production left in his game to warrant being a starter in the NBA.

A team like the Atlanta Hawks would be wise to pursue Terry this offseason, as inserting him into their starting lineup could be the infusion of production they need to take their game to the next level in the competitive Eastern Conference.

Starting Chances—40 Percent

Avery Bradley, SG, Boston Celtics

2011-12 Stats—7.6 PPG, 1.4 APG, 49.8 FG%

2011-12 Games Started—28 Games 

With Ray Allen injured near the end of the 2011-12 season, the Boston Celtics were forced to insert Avery Bradley into their starting rotation, and for the most part it worked.

Bradley not only produced efficiently on the offensive side of the ball, he also added a level of shutdown defense that the Celtics benefited from in the 2012 NBA playoffs. 

Losing Bradley and his consistent production in the playoffs to a shoulder injury was a major disappointment for the Celtics, as he was just starting to develop into a legitimate option at the shooting guard spot.

The Celtics only have four players under contract next season—not including Brandon Bass (player option) and Greg Stiemsma (qualifying offer).  That kind of uncertainly is exactly why it's almost certain that Bradley will be starting for the Celtics next year.

As long as Bradley fully recovers from his recent shoulder surgery (via ESPN), he should be Rajon Rondo's backcourt teammate when the 2012-13 season starts.

Starting Chances—85 Percent 

Lou Williams, PG, Philadelphia 76ers

2011-12 Stats—14.9 PPG, 3.5 APG, 2.4 RPG, 40.7 FG%

2011-12 Games Started—Zero Games

It's amazing that Lou Williams has only started in 38 of the 455 NBA games that he's played in.

With rumors circulating (via Hoopsworld) around the possibility of Williams opting out of the final year of his contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, it appears that Williams is ready to find a team that wants his talents in their starting lineup.

There are a number of teams that are going to be looking for a skilled, offensively minded point guard this offseason and that's something that Williams will certainly benefit from.

Williams has the potential to be a consistently productive starting point guard in the NBA.  He just needs to find a team that's ready to give him that chance.  With career averages of 11.3 points, three assists and two rebounds per game, there's a high likelihood that next year will be the year to begin his career as a starter in the NBA.

Starting Chances–80 Percent

C.J. Watson, PG, Chicago Bulls

2011-12 Stats—9.7 PPG, 4.1 APG, 2.1 RPG, 36.8 FG%

2011-12 Games Started—25 Games

C.J. Watson was thrust into starting point guard responsibilities for the Chicago Bulls when Derrick Rose's injuries took over this past season.

Much like last year, Watson will once again be thrust into a starting role because of Rose and his recovery from a torn ACL.

Luckily for Watson, he'll be much better equipped to handle the starting point guard responsibilities this upcoming season than he was last year.  With another year under his belt, Watson should certainly be able to increase his points and assists per game averages to around the double-double mark.

Watson didn't exactly earn his all-but certain starting role, but that doesn't mean he's not qualified for it. If Watson can increase his efficiency shooting the ball next season, he'll be able to seriously increase his free-agent value after the 2012-13 season.  

Starting Chances—95 Percent

Mo Williams, PG/SG, Los Angeles Clippers

2011-12 Stats—13.2 PPG, 3.1 APG, 42.6 FG%

2011-12 Games Started—One Game

Assuming Mo Williams opts in for the final year of his contract with the Clippers, he should be a shoo-in for a starting gig aside Chris Paul in the Clippers backcourt.

While Williams' certainly needs to increase his shooting percentage, there's no doubt that he's the Clippers' best option at the shooting guard position, especially with Randy Foye and Nick Young hitting the free-agent market in the next couple of weeks.

Some might argue that Williams is a true point guard, but the way he plays the game allows him to excel at the shooting guard spot. In all reality, Williams' point-guard abilities make him more dangerous, as he's able to cut into the lane and hit floaters in the paint with ease.

If the Clippers decide to make Williams their starting shooting guard for the 2012-13 season they'll already be off to a better start than they were this past season.

Returning to a starting lineup might just be what the 29-year-old Williams needs to revitalize his career.

Starting Chances—65 Percent