Who has the deepest team in the NBA?

As the stretch run of the season begins, the best squads in the NBA have a deep bench. Not only do they have some of the best players in their starting lineup, but they have other quality players to go along with them.

This past trading deadline, it seemed like every team in the Eastern Conference geared up for a playoff run. They used future assets to build up their depth, which makes sense considering that injuries and slumps can really derail a postseason series.

Last year for the Houston Rockets, they were barely able to stretch the series to seven games. Luc Mbah a Moute was hurt and the Rockets didn't have any defensive depth on the wing. They ended up losing to the Golden State Warriors. Their star guards, James Harden and Chris Paul, were tired out.

The NBA's best teams have a deep bench. Those who do are able to make a run deep into the playoffs. Without depth and chemistry, teams are upset and fail to make it in April and May.

Who has the best bench overall?

5. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets had been one of the NBA's best teams coming out of Christmas. It took until January for the Warriors to overtake their number one spot in the Western Conference. Ironically enough, the team didn't even have the full amount of their depth until now.

Both Gary Harris and Will Barton struggled with injury. They both have been reinserted into the starting lineup. Off the bench, they have Monte Morris and Malik Beasley backing up the guard positions, as well as Isaiah Thomas who's coming back from injury. They have rookie Michael Porter Jr. under wraps, and he could play at any time.

Trey Lyles and Juancho Hernanogomez are two excellent spot-up shooters who can play the four, and Mason Plumlee is a viable center off the bench. In the playoffs, they'll have any depth at every position to play any style they are matched up with.

They don't have a lot of firepower off the bench, but they sure have the quantity to keep up with any team.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder came into this season as a bit of a surprise.

Everyone knew they were a good defensive team, but nobody knew they would be this good of a defensive team. Russell Westbrook came into this season with something to prove defensively. Even though he isn't shooting well, his on and the off-ball defense has been markedly improved.

Dennis Schroeder has been one of the best backup point guards in the league. He matches their energy in the transition game in the same way.

Jerami Grant is a glue guy who has really evolved into a versatile defender and a great cutter. Terrance Ferguson has been an excellent wing off the bench and has shot well from deep. Nerlens Noel is a capable rim protector off the bench.

Patrick Patterson is pretty effective as well as a four.

3. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors have one of the best teams in the NBA.

The combination of Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry and now Marc Gasol is not only one of the best defensive teams in the league, but a very good halfcourt offensive team as well.

Toronto did give up a lot to acquire Gasol. They lost their longtime starting center Jonas Valancuinas as well as Delon Wright and C.J. Miles, two vital pieces of their bench. However, even though they lost a large chunk of their bench, Nick Nurse still has plenty of depth.

Fred VanVleet is a fine backup point guard who has a very efficient shot from beyond the arc. They just picked up Jeremy Lin from Atlanta and Patrick McCaw from Golden State. Norman Powell and O.G. Annunoby are both excellent wing players that even play starting minutes at times.

Their ability to play big or small, fast or slow. They play Serge Ibaka at center and run with three swingmen. Their versatility is their greatest strength.

2. Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks have been arguably the best team in the NBA.

The came into this season with a new head coach, Mike Buldenhozer. He completely changed their offensive philosophy. Jason Kidd would run plays with two big men in the paint and a guard at the elbow. It was inefficient.

Since then, the team has played a more modern offensive system with a spread pick and roll offense.

The team just traded for Nikola Mirotic as their sixth man off the bench. He provides spacing when Brook Lopez is off the floor and can play the three or four. Ersan Ilyasova and he can split time off the bench as the stretch four. That gives the team three bigs that can shoot, including Brook Lopez.

Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon split time as the de facto point guard. George Hill and Tony Snell get time at the two guard, D.J. Wilson at the four, and Pat Connaughton as a shooter off the bench. The team also has the versatility to play a variety of different ways around Giannis Antetkounmpo.

So far, their M.O. is running and gunning, and it remains to be seen if that works in the playoffs.

1. Boston Celtics

Out of all the potential playoff teams, the Boston Celtics have a clear advantage in depth.

They have Gordon Hayward, a former all-star, coming off the bench. Marcus Smart on any other team would be a starting guard.

Terry Rozier is one of the league's best back up point guards. Marcus Morris sometimes doesn't even start, coming off the bench as a tweener stretch four. Daniel Theis gets time off the bench as the backup center. 1-12 they just have so much depth to work with.

It's almost a disadvantage for head coach Brad Stevens, as he almost has too many people that need their shots. However, it has started to work in the past few months.

The Celtics could sneak behind the 76ers, Raptors, and Bucks and prove that their solid core of players is better than any other team in the East.