In the NBA Playoffs, the stars get the most attention and rightfully so. They are the ones who are expected to deliver the most on the biggest stage.
However, the postseason is all about depth and having role players step up in the biggest moments. Having a reliable depth piece or two come playoff time is the difference between making a deep run or going home early. Here are the three biggest playoff X-factors.
3. Julian Strawther
Strawther has been one of Denver’s most important role players this season. He is averaging nine points per game and is shooting 36 percent from three. He is one of the Nuggets’ only role players who can shoot the three consistently and create for himself.
Strawther has been out for the last month due to a knee sprain, but is expected to be back for the playoffs. Denver is going to need him, since they are a bottom-five unit in the NBA in bench scoring. With Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray receiving most of the attention, Strawther is going to need to knock down shots at a high clip to keep the offense from stagnating. He is shooting 48 percent on corner threes, which is an encouraging sign.
Outside of their starting five, the Nuggets are going to need contributors from their bench. Russell Westbrook’s volatility and lack of shooting make him a wild card, so Strawther will be relied upon to provide some secondary scoring, and he must deliver if Denver wants to go far.
2. Dean Wade
For the last two postseasons, Wade has been unhealthy. In 2023, he was coming off shoulder surgery that greatly affected his jumper and his defensive ability, limiting his minutes as a result. Last year, he played in only three of the Cavs’ 12 playoff games due to a knee injury. Hopefully, the third time's the charm for Wade this season.
Standing at 6’10”, Wade’s ability to guard one through five makes him unique. He is physical and agile as a defender, making him very strong at the point of attack. Cleveland has a defensive rating of 111.0 with him on the court and a net rating of +11.2. Since the start of the 2023-24 season, the Cavs are 80-28 in games Wade plays.
His unique skill set allows for Cleveland to close with one big in and have a lengthy frontcourt of Wade, De’Andre Hunter, and Evan Mobley to close games alongside Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Having those three in the frontcourt will let Cleveland be able to switch screens and have three strong defenders in their best lineups.
Wade not only needs to stay healthy, but also needs to knock down shots as well. He is making 36 percent of his threes, but with Cleveland likely closing with Mobley as their lone big, Wade needs to be at the top of his three and D ability in order for the Cavs to recognize their championship dreams.
1. Kyle Kuzma
With the status of Damian Lillard unknown for the playoffs due to his battle with deep vein thrombosis, the Bucks’ acquisition of Kuzma at the deadline becomes much more important.
Milwaukee made the move for Kuzma to give them more athleticism on the wing and more offensive versatility. The results so far have been up and down. With Kuzma on the court, the Bucks have a net rating of -0.2. They have been just about average with him on the court. Individually, Kuzma is averaging about 14 PPG on 43 percent shooting, but his three-point shooting has been subpar at 29 percent.
However, lineups with Lillard off the court and Kuzma and Giannis Antetokounmpo on have a net rating of +5.2. Their defensive rating is at 109.1 with Lillard off and Kuzma and Antetokounmpo on as well. That is one encouraging sign for the Bucks.
Kuzma is going to need to be a bona fide second option if Lillard is unable to go in the playoffs and needs to provide consistency on both ends of the floor to ensure Milwaukee doesn’t go home early again.