NBA superteams aren’t what they used to be

The late 2000s, all of the 2010s, and the early 2020s were filled with NBA superteams. The Boston Celtics were arguably the first, featuring Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, and Ray Allen.

Then came the Miami Heat, followed by the Golden State Warriors and others. There were even some failed experiments, most notably the pairing of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden.

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Now, we’re entering a new era of NBA basketball, where superteams aren’t as prominent as they used to be. Although you still need talent to win an NBA championship, having three or four stars isn’t the only way to build a contender anymore.

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Depth over star power

May 30, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts in the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during game seven of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The 2025 NBA Finals were a perfect example. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers faced off in the NBA Finals, and though each team had superstars, they relied heavily on their bench depth.

When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylen Williams’ shots weren’t falling, the Thunder had to rely on the play of Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins, and Cason Wallace.  

The Pacers depended on their bench a lot more.  Players like Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, and T.J. McConnell were consistent throughout the postseason but raised their efficiency during the Finals. In times of need, those players carried the offense until Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton were rested.

Both teams entered the Finals with nine players averaging at least 10 minutes per game in the playoffs, showing just how much they relied on their entire roster. 

Throughout the series, Bench players’ performance decided which team would win. Caruso scored 20 points off the bench in Game 2, while Mathurin dropped 27 points in just 22 minutes in Game 3. The stars still mattered, but the supporting cast was just as important.

A New NBA Formula

Jun 10, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) passes the ball against the New York Knicks during game four of the 2026 NBA Finals in the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Spurs followed the same trend in forming their roster. Victor Wembanyama is the centerpiece of San Antonio’s roster, but the team has depth throughout its rotation. Their guards consist of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Devin Vassell, and Keldon Johnson.

They gave San Antonio multiple options in the backcourt, while Keldon Johnson became one of the league’s most productive bench players and won Sixth Man of the Year.

The Knicks followed a similar formula. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns were their biggest stars, but New York also relied on players like Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, and Jose Alvarado throughout its run.

The super team hasn’t gone extinct in the NBA. Instead, it has become a league with so much talent that teams are forced to rely on their depth.  Superteams still exist, but recent championship contenders have shown that building a complete roster can be just as important as collecting the biggest names.

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