Miami Heat
Point Guard: Kyle Lowry
Shooting Guard: Max Strus
Small Forward: Jimmy Butler
Power Forward: Caleb Martin
Center: Bam Adebayo
Sixth Man: Tyler Herro
Only Butler, Adebayo, and Lowry have confirmed starting positions in this five-player lineup. Meanwhile, it will be determined who wins the starting positions for shooting guard and power forward after the conclusion of training camp. Although starting with Martin at power forward seems undersized, it helps maintain the floor spread and spares Butler from guarding 4s constantly. Moreover, the Heat might not change Herro because he was the NBA’s top sixth man last season. Meanwhile, the Heat could eventually make a deal for a real power forward between John Collins and Jae Crowder to make their starting five a lethal touch.
Milwaukee Bucks
Point Guard: Jrue Holiday
Shooting Guard: Grayson Allen
Small Forward: Khris Middleton
Power Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Center: Brook Lopez
Sixth Man: Bobby Portis
Despite having only 20 total possessions together last season due to Lopez’s back surgery, this combination showed promise with a plus-21.7 net rating. Meanwhile, with Antetokounmpo, Holiday, and Middleton, this starting five is capable of winning championships. However, if Lopez’s performance dwindles, Portis may replace him.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Point Guard: D’Angelo Russell
Shooting Guard: Anthony Edwards
Small Forward: Jaden McDaniels
Power Forward: Karl-Anthony Towns
Center: Rudy Gobert
Sixth Man: Kyle Anderson
This starring five will be worth watching in the upcoming season after the inclusion of Gobert and Towns switching to full-time power forward positions. Meanwhile, Edwards will continue to be the greatest player on the squad. Moreover, this might be one of the finest starting lineups in the NBA if Russell gets momentum and McDaniels gets better on the defensive end and from three-point range.
New Orleans Pelicans
Point Guard: CJ McCollum
Shooting Guard: Herbert Jones
Small Forward: Brandon Ingram
Power Forward: Zion Williamson
Center: Jonas Valančiūnas
Sixth Man: Devonte’ Graham
Despite not being a conventional point guard, McCollum will probably be the Pelicans’ floor general, especially given that this team has several ball-handlers. Moreover, adding the 6’8″ Jones as a shooting guard gives New Orleans one of the NBA’s most extensive starting lineups. Although Williamson scored 27.0 points per game last season, he may occasionally rank as the fourth scoring option.
New York Knicks
Point Guard: Jalen Brunson
Shooting Guard: RJ Barrett
Small Forward: Evan Fournier
Power Forward: Julius Randle
Center: Mitchell Robinson
Sixth Man: Immanuel Quickley
Brunson won’t find it easy to motivate the remaining Knicks to play at their best as the four-player combination of Barrett, Fournier, Randle, and Robinson collapsed last season. However, to give this team tremendous potential and a better overall defense, they could provide Quickley or Quentin Grimes a chance instead of Fournier. Meanwhile, their chances of qualifying for the playoffs will be slim if Randle starts dismally again.
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