Atlanta Hawks
Point Guard: Trae Young
Shooting Guard: Dejounte Murray
Small Forward: De’Andre Hunter
Power Forward: John Collins
Center: Clint Capela
Sixth Man: Bogdan Bogdanović
After adding Murray to the backcourt, this combination becomes one of the best in basketball. He averages 9.2 assists per game, finishing sixth with a 40.6% assist rate. Meanwhile, Hunter is a large wing with excellent shooting and defensive skills if he can maintain good health all season. Moreover, Young and Murray will have excellent pick-and-roll partners in Collins and Capela. In addition, Bogdanović might flourish in a sixth-man position, considering his ability to score and game awareness.
Boston Celtics
Point Guard: Marcus Smart
Shooting Guard: Jaylen Brown
Small Forward: Jayson Tatum
Power Forward: Al Horford
Center: Robert Williams III
Sixth Man: Malcolm Brogdon
The Boston Celtics are bringing back a highly effective starting lineup after landing Brogdon from the Indiana Pacers. Meanwhile, according to Cleaning the Glass, this starting five spent more time together than any other five-player combination in the NBA. Moreover, they have rich flexibility, having players like Brogdon, Smart, Brown, Tatum, and Williams on the roster. However, there is no need to alter the NBA’s second-most successful starting lineup.
Brooklyn Nets
Point Guard: Kyrie Irving
Shooting Guard: Seth Curry
Small Forward: Kevin Durant
Power Forward: Ben Simmons
Center: Nic Claxton
Sixth Man: Joe Harris
The Nets seem poised with their squad, with Simmons as a power forward, and he might end up at point guard or center. However, it would be unwise to start with Simmons at the center as he has played most of his career as a point guard and recently came back from a back injury. Therefore, it is likely that the Nets will utilize Claxton as a center. Meanwhile, Harris may ultimately replace Curry in the starting lineup, but the Nets should likely start the 31-year-old off the bench. However, they have the best starting lineup: Irving, Curry, Harris, Durant, and Simmons.
Charlotte Hornets
Point Guard: LaMelo Ball
Shooting Guard: Terry Rozier
Small Forward: Gordon Hayward
Power Forward: J.P. Washington
Center: Mason Plumlee
Sixth Man: Kelly Oubre Jr.
It is hard to predict how this five-player combination will go along, as they didn’t play a single minute together last season. Meanwhile, Mark Williams could eventually replace Plumlee as the team’s starting center. However, Williams might someday develop into a fantastic defensive anchor. Moreover, if Hayward’s durability problems continue, Oubre will unavoidably share the court with this group.
Chicago Bulls
Point Guard: Alex Caruso
Shooting Guard: Zach LaVine
Small Forward: DeMar DeRozan
Power Forward: Patrick Williams
Center: Nikola Vučević
Sixth Man: Ayo Dosunmu
Ball will likely miss the start of the season due to lingering knee discomfort and recent second-knee surgery. However, arguably no NBA club has as many ball-handling guards as Caruso, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Goran Dragi to fill in if necessary. Meanwhile, it is anticipated that the All-Stars, LaVine and DeRozan, will have an incredible season. They will play some significantly superior East Conference opposition, and it will be worth watching how this combination handles them.
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