Top 6 NBA Role Players Who Would Be Stars in Today’s Game

by Jeremy Block - 5/24/2025

The NBA has evolved. And now more than ever, role players are crucial to the game’s success. Gone are the days where a role player was someone who just took up space. In today’s game, those underappreciated guys are just as likely to have a key impact as the superstars.

Whether it's defense, shooting, or pure versatility, role players who can space the floor, defend multiple positions, and make smart decisions are in high demand. Let's take a look at some of the best role players who would absolutely thrive in today's NBA.

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1. Cuttino Mobley

Back in the day, Cuttino Mobley was the kind of guy you absolutely did not want to leave open on the wing. He averaged 16 points a game over his career and shot 37% from deep, proving he could score from anywhere without needing to dominate the ball. Whether he was running with Steve Francis in Houston or working off Elton Brand in L.A., Mobley was a steady backup offensive presence who could score on command.

Drop him into today’s NBA, and he’d fit in like a veteran at a rookie photo shoot. Floor spacing? Check. Quick release? Check. Perimeter defense? Check. He’d be a perfect fit for teams that live and die by the 3-pointer and need versatile wings who don’t need a dozen dribbles to find their shot. In a pace-and-space system, Mobley’s game would thrive.

2. Larry Hughes

If you needed someone to make life miserable for the other team’s best guard, Larry Hughes was your guy. Sure, his average of 14.1 points per game doesn’t jump off the paper, but the stats barely scratch the surface. Hughes was a menace defensively, and he had a real habit of being exactly where the offense didn’t want him. During his run with the Wizards, he played the perfect sidekick to Gilbert Arenas, picking pockets and slashing to the rim.

Drop that version of Hughes into today’s NBA, and you’ve got a prototype 3-and-D wing. His perimeter defense would be worth its weight in gold, and his slashing playstyle and transition defense would shine in today’s up-tempo style.

3. Rashard Lewis

When it comes to versatility, Rashard Lewis was ahead of his time. At 6-foot-10, he was a stretch forward who could shoot the 3-pointer, create mismatches, and provide floor spacing for his team. Lewis averaged just shy of 15 points per game, and his best years came with the Seattle SuperSonics and the Orlando Magic, where he was the early model stretch four, capable of scoring from the perimeter and contributing as a secondary scorer.

In today’s game, with the demand of positionless basketball, Lewis would be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. His ability to stretch the floor while still being able to guard multiple positions makes him an ideal fit for most teams in the league.

4. Toni Kukoc

Before the positionless era was even a thing, Toni Kukoc was already doing it. As a 6-foot-10 forward with excellent ball-handling skills and the ability to shoot from the perimeter, Kukoc was the Swiss Army knife for the Chicago Bulls during their championship runs in the 1990s. While playing behind stars like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Kukoc still managed to be a key contributor, averaging 11.6 points per game over his 12-year career.

Fast forward to today, and Kukoc would be an ideal fit on any team looking for a forward who can do a little bit of everything. In an era where players like Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo juggle multiple roles on the floor, Kukoc’s ability to shoot, pass, and run the offense from the forward spot would make him a serious problem in today’s game.

5. Doug Christie

This one might not be the obvious pick, but it holds up. Doug Christie was one of the NBA’s top perimeter defenders in the early 2000s. No, he wasn’t dropping 30 points per game, but he didn’t have to. With scorers like Mike Bibby, Chris Webber, and Peja Stojakovic around him, Christie did the dirty work - guarding the opposing team’s best player, hitting open shots, and keeping the Kings balanced on both ends of the floor.

If a contender today had a player like Christie in their rotation, they'd be a cheat code. Christie had the size, the footwork, and the defensive instincts to hang with the best scorers while still spacing the floor just enough to make defenses think twice.

6. Raja Bell

Last but not least, Raja Bell. Look, Bell was another top-tier defensive-minded wing who could also knock down shots and create for himself when his team needed it most. Whether he was with the Phoenix Suns or the Utah Jazz, Bell thrived as the perfect complement to elite stars like Steve Nash and Deron Williams.

While he was a threat as soon as the ball touched his hands, his role wasn’t about creating offense; it was about shutting down the other team’s top scorer and hitting his shots. Yes, he averaged only 9.7 points per game over his career, but his offensive game often flew under the radar because his defense was so reliable.

In a league obsessed with 3-point shooting and wing scoring, Bell would be a solid addition as a 3-and-D player. His ability to lock down multiple positions, along with his 40% shooting from beyond the arc, makes him exactly the type of player every contender craves.

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Start:	May 24, 2025 @ 10:10 PM
Expert:	Vernon Croy
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Top 6 NBA Role Players Who Would Be Stars in Today’s Game

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