26-06-2025
"These players are being sought after more and more" - LeBron James on the increasing demand for positionless players
"These players are being sought after more and more" - LeBron James on the increasing demand for positionless players originally appeared on Basketball Network.
In basketball, there has always been a clear distinction between positions. Point guards lead the team and set up the offense, shooting guards shoot the ball, small forwards do a little bit of everything, power forwards and centers rebound, set screens and play with their backs to the basket.
Advertisement
But that's not the case in today's NBA.
With positions less standardized than ever, centers bring the ball up the court, point guards rebound and set screens, and the forwards and wings are mainly on the floor to shoot, pass and defend multiple positions.
But what prompted this change?
3-and-D players started it all
Over the years, the NBA has started catering to guys who can do multiple things on the floor regardless of their size. And according to Steve Nash, it all started with the 3-and-D guys.
"They can guard multiple positions, they can stretch the floor, if you watch these two teams in the finals, they're asking their quote on quote 3-and-D guys now to be able to play blender," said Nash, a two-time NBA MVP, on the latest episode of the Mind the Game.
Advertisement
"These players are being sought after more, more and more as years are going," LeBron James added.
Throughout history, the NBA has had guys who have redefined positions, from Magic Johnson and Larry Bird to LeBron, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic. But in the league today, even role players are required to have that level of versatility. After all, that's what wins championships.
"Being able to put five guys on the floor that can do multiple things, if not everything," James said while referencing the Boston Celtics' 2024 title run. "You saw obviously what Boston was able to do with those guys, those guys are all positionless, being able to catch, shoot, drive, pass, that's it."
Boston, in particular, had Jrue Holiday — they traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers a few days ago — a prime example of a positionless player.
Advertisement
Holiday, who played point guard most of his career, was setting screens and rolling to the basket more than he was playing on the ball. Joe Mazzulla even played him as a power forward from time to time, allowing lineup versatility that was impossible for anyone in the Association to match.
Related: "We only needed one more guy" - Patrick Beverley says the Clippers lost SGA because Kawhi thought he needed more help
Positionless basketball
Still, the rise of Holiday-like players didn't happen overnight.
The Golden State Warriors popularized the small ball concept by starting Draymond Green, a 6'6" forward, at the center position, trying to maximize his speed and ability to switch everything defensively. Now, every team is looking to play a similar style.
Advertisement
With young players entering the league with more well-rounded skill sets than ever, the trend shows no signs of slowing down. High school and college coaches are training athletes to be multi-dimensional from day one. The result? A new generation of players: tall, agile, intelligent, ready to redefine what it means to play in the league.
Whether it's Jokic running the offense or Holiday guarding the post-up, the modern game has evolved to the point where positionless role players are as essential as star players. They aren't just a luxury anymore; they are becoming the standard.
Related: LeBron shares the most egregious travelling violation he has ever committed: "The basketball gods was not on my side"
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
