7 NBA Players Who Must Consider Switching Positions

With so many versatile players in the NBA today, it's tough for coaches to find the perfect role and correct position for each player. In some cases, players must change roles for the betterment of the team.

There are several instances in the league where a switch of positions would be advantageous for the player and the team.

Sometimes a position change doesn't result in greater offensive production for the player, but it could result in better team chemistry and more consistent efficiency on defense.

Here are the seven players that should consider changing positions.

Wesley Johnson, Phoenix Suns

While he isn't the strongest player around, Phoenix Suns shooting guard Wesley Johnson has the length and athleticism to play significant minutes at small forward.

Alvin Gentry would be wise to use the newcomer at the 3-spot more often than the 2 because his squad has several wings who are better shooters than Johnson.

At 6'7", Johnson has the ability to finish above the rim and defend most small forwards in the league. His outside shooting hasn't been too impressive in his young career, so Gentry should stick to players like Jared Dudley and Shannon Brown at the 2.

This Suns roster has a new look, and it's a great opportunity for Johnson to take advantage of his size and skill set.

Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings have experimented with Tyreke Evans at three different positions, and although he's done a decent job at the point, they need him on the wing this year.

Head coach Keith Smart must consider putting Evans at the 3 (and at the 2 depending on the matchup). The team is without a truly dynamic small forward or shooting guard.

Meanwhile, at point guard, Sactown has depth with Aaron Brooks, Isaiah Thomas and Jimmer Fredette all capable of running the show.

Can Evans distribute the ball effectively? Yes, but he's not so great to the extent that they need to keep him as the point guard. His 6'6" frame will help the team fill a crucial forward spot.

Jerryd Bayless, Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies newcomer Jerryd Bayless has been a scoring point guard for a few years now, but as he enters his fifth season in the NBA, he may be ready to be a legitimate shooting guard.

Does he have to play shooting guard his entire time in Memphis? No, but his improved outside shooting and the Grizzlies lack of depth at shooting guard make it impossible for Lionel Hollins to not consider putting him on the wing more often.

Bayless' size would present problems defending certain shooting guards, but overall, he could spend substantial time at the 2-spot.

He would be a wasted talent if he was strictly a supplementary point guard. His 42 percent shooting from long distance and 85 percent from the free-throw line in 2011-12 suggests that he would be an efficient attacker for Memphis.

Evan Turner, Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers have several potential starting lineups, as discussed by CSNPhilly.com. They all include Jrue Holiday as a starting guard, but Evan Turner's role varies.

Will he be the small forward? Will he be the shooting guard, as he's currently listed? Will he come off the bench if Nick Young and Jason Richardson start?

Here's the main switch that the Sixers should make: they should switch from labeling Holiday as the point and Turner as the off-guard, and designate them as interchangeable guards.

Turner is 6'7", but he can facilitate quite well, and Philadelphia Inquirer columnist John Smallwood explains that the 2012 playoffs are proof that he can be the floor general for long stretches.

Doug Collins should approach 2012-13 with the mindset that Holiday and Turner can coexist and will succeed because they're the two most dynamic guards on the team. He should consider having Turner run the point more often.

Andre Iguodala, Denver Nuggets

Nuggets swingman Andre Iguodala brings terrific small forward skills to Denver, but the place they need him most is at shooting guard.

Iguodala has traditionally been more of a 3 throughout his career, but his change of scenery calls for a change in position, too.

Wilson Chandler, Corey Brewer and Quincy Miller are all Nuggets small forwards who wouldn't be able to make the move to the 2, so Iguodala's shooting and defensive versatility make him the best fit.

Iguodala had career-best numbers from beyond the arc last year, making nearly 40 percent of his attempts. If he can get close to that kind of production next year, it will give Denver a better chance to get to the next level out West.

Jimmer Fredette, Sacramento Kings

With all due respect to Jimmer Fredette's passing skills, he's not even the third-best passer on his team heading into this season.

Aaron Brooks, Tyreke Evans and Isaiah Thomas are all great facilitators who will do most of the facilitating in 2012-13. Brooks and Thomas will run strictly as point guards, while Evans will do his thing from the wing.

That means Fredette and the Kings should highly consider making the switch away from the point. John Salmons isn't the scorer of the future for the team, so they might as well give Fredette ample opportunity to show what he can do at the 2.

Jimmer can create his own shot as efficiently as any second-year player, but does he have the size or athleticism to score against and defend bigger guards? There's only one way to find out.

Lou Williams, Atlanta Hawks

Similar to Jerryd Bayless' situation, Lou Williams is an undersized combo guard on a team that could use a solid shooting guard rather than another point guard.

If he hasn't already, Atlanta Hawks head coach Larry Drew will soon consider using the former 76er as a shooting guard.

The combination of ball-handling, facilitating and midrange scoring skills makes Williams one of the most valuable and useful players on the roster.

He's better than Anthony Morrow, John Jenkins and DeShawn Stevenson, so he should earn the lion's share of shooting guard minutes.