NBA: Ranking the 10 best projected bench units heading into 2019-20

8) Sacramento Kings

Projected Starters: De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Marvin Bagley III, Dewayne Dedmon

Projected High Minute Bench Players: Cory Joseph, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Trevor Ariza, Harry Giles III

The Sacramento Kings are a young, fan paced team which could certainly make the playoffs if they were in the East.

Adding three solid (if overpriced) veterans not only helps improve their locker room but adds needed depth – last season, the Kings’ bench finished 23rd in net rating. Internal growth and added depth usually mean better first and second units.

7) Toronto Raptors

Projected Starters: Kyle Lowry, Norman Powell, O.G. Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol

Projected High Minute Bench Players: Fred VanVleet, Stanley Johnson, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Serge Ibaka

Signing two anemic offensive players with good defensive chops for near minimum contracts was a worthy gamble by the Toronto Raptors, who are playing this coming season with house money – if they succeed without the greatest Raptor of all-time, Kawhi Leonard, great; if they stumble out the gate, they can always blow it up.

I actually think they will be a top-six playoff team in the East, bolstered by an elite defense. Fred Van Vleet might be a legitimate 6th Man of the Year candidate.