Depth wins in the NBA, and the teams that go the farthest usually have at least one bench piece who can tilt a game when the starters need a breather. With several front offices reshaping their rotations, the 2026-2027 season should have no shortage of impact reserves. Here are the five sixth men worth watching most.
At No. 5 is Reed Sheppard, who emerged as one of the few bright spots in an underwhelming Rockets season. He put up 13.5 points per game and knocked down 39% of his threes, a huge step forward from his rookie year.
He also handled a bigger role in the 21 games he started during his sophomore season. With Fred VanVleet back, Sheppard is set to stay in a bench role, but that only makes Houston’s second unit more dangerous.
His shooting alone can change the tone of a game when the starters stall.
Anfernee Simons comes in at No. 4, and his move to Philadelphia gives the Sixers another proven scoring punch. The offseason has already brought plenty of noise for that roster, with the trade for Jaylen Brown and the signing of LeBron James, but Simons deserves his own spotlight.
In 49 games with the Celtics last season, he averaged 14.2 points while hitting 39.5% from beyond the arc. That kind of production off the bench gives Philadelphia a real shot creator and floor spacer for the moments that matter most.
Jrue Holiday lands at No. 3, and even at 17 years into his career, he’s still bringing plenty to the table. Portland’s backcourt is crowded with Damian Lillard and Ja Morant expected to start, which would send Holiday into a reserve role.
He still posted 16.3 points and 6.1 assists last season while shooting 45% from the field and 37.8% from three. As a bench piece, he’d give the Trail Blazers scoring, toughness, and the kind of defensive pressure that can swing late-game possessions.
At No. 2 is Ajay Mitchell, who made a serious name for himself with Oklahoma City last season. His playoff run stood out in particular, as he averaged 15.1 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.7 rebounds while helping the Thunder reach the Western Conference Finals.
He showed he could be a real secondary scoring threat next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With Jalen Williams expected back, Mitchell may move back to the bench, but that doesn’t change how important he can be for OKC’s second unit.
His ballhandling and ability to get into the paint should keep the offense humming.
Dylan Harper tops the list at No. 1 after what he showed on the NBA Finals stage. His rookie showcase was outstanding, with averages of 18 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, and he gave the Spurs exactly what a bench scorer is supposed to provide: offense when the starters weren’t getting enough of it.
He should see more minutes next season and take another step in several areas. If his playmaking and long-range shooting keep climbing, and if Mitch Johnson can better manage his role, Harper could put together one of the strongest Sixth Man of the Year campaigns in recent memory.
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The more interesting part is where ONeal sees the path getting difficult. He pointed to the Oklahoma City Thunder as the Spurs most likely hurdle in the Western Conference, but still sounded convinced San Antonio can get through it if Wembanyama keeps taking over games. For a team still building around its centerpiece, that kind of belief from a Hall of Fame center says plenty about how far the Spurs have already come in the leagues eyes. [Read more 🡒]
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Victor Wembanyama is the real swing piece, though, because the Spurs believe his path to a bigger leap could come from developing in the same areas. If he can become a threat from the free-throw line and the elbows, it changes the geometry of everything around him and gives San Antonio a more versatile way to attack. The idea is simple enough, even if the payoff still has to be earned on the floor. [Read more 🡒]
Spurs Rookie Dylan Harper Is Already Becoming A Huge Collector Name
Dylan Harpers rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs has already pushed him into a different kind of spotlight, one that follows players off the court and into the hobby. The first-round buzz around his cards has been building quickly, and that momentum will be on display Friday when Harper makes his first appearance at the National Sports Collectors Convention, joining an eBay Live break with seller Blez.
Harper is not the only name from the family showing up in Chicago. Ron Harper Sr. is set for a Saturday eBay Live stream tied to Michael Jordan collectibles, adding another layer to a weekend that already has plenty of collector intrigue around the Spurs rookie. For a player whose cards have become a hot item so early, the convention is the latest reminder that his market is moving almost as fast as his basketball profile. [Read more 🡒]