Cleveland Cavaliers
Point Guard: Darius Garland
Shooting Guard: Donovan Mitchell
Small Forward: Isaac Okoro
Power Forward: Evan Mobley
Center: Jarrett Allen
Sixth Man: Caris LeVert
This starting lineup already has two All-Stars, Garland and Allen, but Mitchell adds more firepower. Moreover, this will be one of the hardest backcourts in the NBA to control. Meanwhile, Allen and Mobley, two of the NBA’s finest defensive players, could help to mitigate Garland and Mitchell’s defensive issues. On the other hand, LeVert or Okoro will most likely compete for the starting small forward position. However, Okoro suits the role better as a three-and-D specialist.
Dallas Mavericks
Point Guard: Luka Dončić
Shooting Guard: Spencer Dinwiddie
Small Forward: Tim Hardaway Jr.
Power Forward: Dorian Finney-Smith
Center: JaVale McGee
Sixth Man: Christian Wood
The Mavericks now need another major offensive threat to play alongside Dončić because Jalen Brunson is no longer available. Moreover, Wood is in the final year of his contract, and if the Mavs don’t offer him a starting position immediately, he will almost surely look for one elsewhere. Meanwhile, Dončić and Dinwiddie are the only two responsible ball handlers on the roster, and it would also be a good idea to stagger them. Nevertheless, this starting lineup appears quite unimpressive if Wood ends up sitting on the bench.
Denver Nuggets
Point Guard: Jamal Murray
Shooting Guard: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Small Forward: Michael Porter Jr.
Power Forward: Aaron Gordon
Center: Nikola Jokić
Sixth Man: Bones Hyland
This starting five was completed by the Washington Wizards’ trade for Caldwell-Pope. Meanwhile, Jokić is always improving and will be a contender for the MVP award for a third consecutive season if Denver wins the Western Conference. He will benefit from the ball handling and spot-up shooting of Murray, Porter Jr. Moreover, Gordon will play many defensive positions and finish lobs. In addition, Hyland might help the Nuggets move up the standings as he recently had a remarkable rookie season.
Detroit Pistons
Point Guard: Cade Cunningham
Shooting Guard: Jaden Ivey
Small Forward: Saddiq Bey
Power Forward: Bojan Bogdanovic
Center: Isaiah Stewart
Sixth Man: Jalen Duren
After a surprise landing from the Jazz, Bogdanovic will start as a power forward. Meanwhile, Cunningham, Ivey, and Bey appear locked in as the team starts the season. Moreover, Stewart and Jalen Duren will compete for the starting center position. However, considering Stewart’s three-point shooting ability, it is likely that the Pistons will include both him and Duren in the starting lineup.
Golden State Warriors
Point Guard: Stephen Curry
Shooting Guard: Klay Thompson
Small Forward: Andrew Wiggins
Power Forward: Draymond Green
Center: Kevon Looney
Sixth Man: Jordan Poole
The Warriors are all set to rock and roll again as this five-man starting lineup has already won a championship. Meanwhile, Thompson will be healthy for training camp for the first time since the 2018-19 season. It indicates that Poole will once again play full-time bench duty. However, Poole ought to be among the favorites for the sixth man because a large contract extension is on the horizon. On the other hand, Looney is among the NBA’s most underestimated players despite proving his significance to the Warriors in the previous season’s playoffs.
Comments