The 2022-23 NBA season is right around the corner. The Sixers are widely expected to contend for a championship, in large part due to their firepower in the frontcourt. Joel Embiid is a one-man wrecking crew, while Tobias Harris and new arrival P.J. Tucker are both players who can impact winning at the highest level.
We recently ranked every backcourt in the NBA to see where James Harden and Tyrese Maxey stood. Now, we’ve gone through all 30 starting frontcourts to see just how highly the Embiid-Harris-Tucker triumvirate ranks.
Let’s get the ball rolling…
30. Lu Dort & Darius Bazley & Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Thunder
The Chet Holmgren injury puts a sizable dent in OKC’s fledgling rotation. Without him, it will probably be another year of tanking for the top pick. Luguentz Dort, fresh off signing his lucrative extension, will once again be highly involved on both sides of the ball. He’s an elite wing defender and one of the few semi-reliable scorers on the roster. Darius Bazley and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl are interesting prospects, but neither should be playing big minutes for an NBA team right now.
29. Saddiq Bey & Marvin Bagley III & Isaiah Stewart, Pistons
With Jerami Grant no longer in the mix, Detroit will need someone to pick up the scoring slack. While Cade Cunningham and top-five pick Jaden Ivey figure to do a lot of the heavy lifting, this season could also be a break-out opportunity for Saddiq Bey. The Villanova product has flashed impressive scoring chops at 6-foot-8, now it’s a matter of putting his best foot forward every night. Marvin Bagley looked right at home in Detroit over the second half of last season, while Isaiah Stewart’s hustle and forceful rim protection should make him a long-term piece. That said, the Pistons are still young and undeveloped as a whole.
28. Eric Gordon & Jabari Smith Jr. & Alperen Sengun, Rockets
Eric Gordon was quietly a very productive player for the tanking Rockets last season. If no contenders come knocking on the trade market, he will once again assume a critical role in the Houston offense. His 3-point volume and veteran savvy are important for such a young team built around slashing guards. Jabari Smith Jr. will provide 3-point shooting and immediate versatility on defense, while Alperen Sengun’s per-minute numbers last season hint at major offensive upside.
27. Bojan Bogdanovic & Jarred Vanderbilt & Walker Kessler, Jazz
No one on Utah’s roster is safe right now. Danny Ainge is actively exploring avenues to trade Donovan Mitchell, which by extension means Bojan Bogdanovic could be out the door any day now. Plenty of teams should want him. For now, his 3-point shooting and all-around contributions on offense keep the Jazz semi-respectable in these rankings. Jarred Vanderbilt is a terrific defender and should have a real future with the team, rebuild or no rebuild. Walker Kessler was an excellent pick-up on draft night, but you can only expect so much from rookie centers.
26. Chris Duarte & Jalen Smith & Myles Turner, Pacers
The Pacers are in the early stages of a major rebuild. Myles Turner is by no means guaranteed to be on the roster when the season starts, and especially not past the trade deadline. He’s the main draw here, though. The list of superior rim protectors in the league right now is exceedingly short. Chris Duarte earned All-Rookie honors with impressive scoring bursts last season. Jalen Smith arrived at the trade deadline and immediately showcased two-way potential that was never evident in Phoenix. His mobility and shot-blocking instincts are big draws.
25. Devin Vassell & Keldon Johnson & Jakob Poeltl, Spurs
The Spurs are going to lose a lot of games next season. With Dejounte Murray out the door, Keldon Johnson figures to take an even more central role in the offense. He’s the centerpiece of that roster for the time being. Devin Vassell should also blossom with increased reps offensively. His size, shooting touch, and defensive versatility make him a severely underrated prospect long-term. Jakob Poeltl is a prime trade target for contenders, but the Spurs can still use him in the short term. It always pays to have a high-level rim protector manning the middle.
24. Deni Avdija & Kyle Kuzma & Kristaps Porzingis, Wizards
Kristaps Porzingis is the primary swing factor when it comes to Washington’s success this season. Can he relocate some of his past magic, or will he continue to struggle with injuries and inconsistency. At his best, Porzingis is a commanding rim protector who can shoot effortlessly over the defense. At his worst, Porzingis is a defender who gets burned in space and an offensive player who settles for bad shots. Kyle Kuzma proved his mettle as a full-time starter and it’s not hard to imagine him even outshining Porzinigs when all is said and done. As for Deni Avdija, his blend of defensive versatility and complementary skills on offense should make him the perfect glue guy on the wing.
23. Gordon Hayward & P.J. Washington & Mason Plumlee, Hornets
Charges of domestic violence brought against Miles Bridges are hanging over the Hornets franchise right now. For the purposes of this article, he will not be included. P.J. Washington is next in line — a more than adequate replacement who can work from multiple areas of the court on offense while supplying multi-positional defense. Otherwise, Charlotte’s roster is pretty much the same. Gordon Hayward will try to stay healthy and Mason Plumlee will continue to be a rock-solid (yet exceedingly vanilla) option at the five spot.
22. Dorian Finney-Smith & Christian Wood & JaVale McGee, Mavericks
Dallas’ offseason was fairly simple: Jalen Brunson left, and Christian Wood arrived. The latter figures to look quite good next to Luka Doncic. He’s one of the most versatile and dynamic offensive bigs in the game. He can step out behind the 3-point, face-up and use the in-between game, or get out and run the floor in transition. Next to him is Dorian Finney-Smith, who emerged as a premier defensive wing last season. JaVale McGee has been billed as the starting five. His ability to play above the rim is suited to a Doncic-led offense.
21. Josh Hart & Jerami Grant & Jusuf Nurkic, Blazers
The Blazers extended Damian Lillard and retooled the roster around him, all with the intention of reinserting themselves into the postseason picture. Jerami Grant was the big offseason swing, and he should pay immediate dividends. Portland has severe weak points on defense, but Grant’s length, instincts, and perimeter mobility will paper over a lot of issues. Josh Hart proved he’s capable of maintaining impressive efficiency numbers on a higher volume of shot attempts last season, but he should be more suitably deployed next to Lillard. Jusuf Nurkic needs to stay healthy, but he remains a steadfast rim protector and rebounder who makes unselfish, winning plays on the offensive end.
20. Dillon Brooks & Jaren Jackson Jr. & Steven Adams, Grizzlies
The Grizzlies made the jump to contention last season, in large part due to their league-best depth. That doesn’t mean the starting five isn’t great, though. Jaren Jackson Jr. made a compelling case for DPOY and should be right back in the award mix come 2023. Dillon Brooks’ confidence can get the best of him from time to time, but the Grizzlies need his shot-making on the wing. Steven Adams is limited in certain matchups, but his dominance on the glass and his underrated passing chops make him quite useful still.
19. Franz Wagner & Paolo Banchero & Wendell Carter Jr., Magic
Orlando is fast approaching their transition from “fun rebuild” to winning team. The biggest swing factor is obviously Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 overall pick who — on paper — should provide the star-power and self-creation skills Orlando previously lacked. Banchero is a supersized playmaker with the ability to play every style of offense. Meanwhile, Franz Wagner flashed All-Star potential as a rookie, while Wendell Carter Jr. checks every box in the middle: he can protect the rim, move his feet in space, rebound at a high level, hit 3s, operate out of the post. He’s extremely well-rounded.
18. R.J. Barrett & Julius Randle & Mitchell Robinson, Knicks
R.J. Barrett’s seemingly inevitable star turn is keeping New York relevant right now. He was absolutely electric after the All-Star break last season, finally balancing out his strength driving to the rim with a bankable 3-point shot and mature decision-making with the ball. Julius Randle has immense natural talent, but his play style doesn’t always lend itself to winning. Mitchell Robinson is an elite rim protector and finisher, but he needs to cut down on fouling in order to play longer minutes.
17. Harrison Barnes & Keegan Murray & Domantas Sabonis, Kings
The Kings traded for Domantas Sabonis with a pretty clear goal: make the playoffs. I’m not sure it’ll happen, but Sabonis has changed the calculus of that team for the better. A dominant post scorer and advanced passer, Sabonis’ unique skill set blended nicely with De’Aaron Fox’s speedy playmaking on the perimeter. Harrison Barnes is the poster child for sturdy, efficient 3-and-D wings at this point, while Keegan Murray (the reigning No. 4 pick) is primed to make an immediate impact as one of the oldest rookies.
16. DeAndre Hunter & John Collins & Clint Capela, Hawks
DeAndre Hunter is a prime breakout candidate. He just hasn’t been on the floor enough to date to announce his stardom. A versatile defensive wing who can hit 3s and operate skillfully from the mid-range, a healthy Hunter would push Atlanta closer to contention. John Collins and Clint Capela are two of the NBA’s best rim-runners who should be right at home next to Trae Young and Dejounte Murray in the backcourt. Capela is still an influential shot blocker on defense, while Collins’ skill set seems to expand with each passing season.
15. Lauri Markkanen & Evan Mobley & Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers
The Cavs were a couple ill-timed injuries away from making serious noise in the Eastern Conference. Evan Mobley should have won Rookie of the Year in my opinion, and he’s well-positioned for a second-year explosion. He has immense room to grow on offense, while the defense is already award worthy. Jarrett Allen is coming off his first All-Star appearance and should continue to blossom as Cleveland’s defensive anchor and primary above-the-rim finisher. Lauri Markkanen was the butt of many jokes last season, but he looked right at home as a jumbo-sized small forward who can drain 3s at a high clip.
14. Andrew Wiggins & Draymond Green & Kevon Looney, Warriors
Andrew Wiggins silenced doubters once and for all during Golden State’s run to the championship. Once an unreliable gunner who showed no tangible interest in defense, Wiggins has now completely reshaped his game. He’s an efficient spot-up shooter who deploys his athleticism on drives to the rim without domineering possessions or waving off better teammates. He’s also an elite wing defender, which is a helpful transformation. Draymond Green is impossible to deny at this point. He’s flawed and it isn’t always pretty, but he impacts winning in a big way every season. Kevon Looney isn’t a sexy name, but he has been a reliable starter for several years now.
13. Mikal Bridges & Jae Crowder & DeAndre Ayton, Suns
Phoenix has been the best regular season team in the NBA for two years running. There was speculation about Deandre Ayton’s future this offseason, but the former No. 1 pick ended up coming back on a max extension. With Mikal Bridges (fresh off a top-3 finish in DPOY voting) and Jae Crowder flanking Ayton, Phoenix’s frontcourt should once again command respect around the league. There aren’t a lot of holes in the Suns’ defense, and both Ayton and Bridges still have considerable room to grow.
12. DeMar DeRozan & Patrick Williams & Nikola Vucevic, Bulls
DeMar DeRozan played the best basketball of his career last season. He expanded his range to the 3-point line, upped his efficiency across the board, and for long stretches, looked like a genuine MVP candidate. Chicago fell victim to injuries across the roster, but DeRozan’s ridiculous shot-making and playmaking talent kept the Bulls afloat. Patrick Williams has spent the majority of his NBA career battling injuries, but the two-way flashes have been tantalizing. Nikola Vucevic took a step back last season, but there still aren’t many centers with his variety of skills on offense.
11. Scottie Barnes & OG Anunoby & Pascal Siakam, Raptors
Toronto’s small, switchable frontcourt worked quite well last season and should only improve in 2023. Pascal Siakam is a confirmed star at this point — he can bully smaller defenders inside, or stretch slower centers out to the 3-point line and torch them with his speed attacking downhill. Scottie Barnes won Rookie of the Year because he did just about everything. He scored, he spent time running point, he guarded all five positions. There weren’t many boxes left untouched. OG Anunoby is a perennial Most Improved Player candidate at this point; he just has to stay on the floor.
10. Herbert Jones & Zion Williamson & Jonas Valanciunas, Pelicans
Last time we saw Zion Williamson, he was already knocking on the door of superstardom. He’s the most dominant interior scorer in the NBA under 6-foot-8. He also spent time running the offense, creating for others, and sparking New Orleans’ transition offense. The Pelicans will need him to buy in on defense, but Zion is a true star when he’s healthy. Herbert Jones earned All-Defense consideration as a rookie and should pick right back up where he left off. Jonas Valanciunas is one of the more underrated interior anchors in the NBA. He defends the rim well, he can score at all three levels, and he’s a very talented passer out of the post or working from the elbow.
9. Jaden McDaniels & Karl-Anthony Towns & Rudy Gobert, Wolves
The Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert pairing will be fascinating to watch. We haven’t seen a proper “Twin Towers” experiment in a while — two natural centers who have, on the surface, very complementary skill sets. Gobert is the best rim protector in modern NBA history, while Towns’ 3-point shooting should allow him to co-exist with Gobert, who does the majority of his damage with finishes at the rim. Jaden McDaniels will start next to them as a lanky 3-and-D forward who provides necessary size and versatility on the wing. The Wolves clearly have confidence in McDaniels, having fought to keep him out of the Gobert trade.
8. Kawhi Leonard & Marcus Morris Sr. & Ivica Zubac, Clippers
What shape is Kawhi Leonard in? That will ultimately determine the Clippers’ fate in 2023. Is he back to 100 percent — arguably the most dominant postseason player in the NBA — or is he simply borderline All-NBA good? The possibility of the former is what lands LAC so high on this list. Leonard is a one-man machine with very few equals around the league. His ability to carry an immense scoring burden while also guarding the opposition’s best player is wholly unique. Next to him are two very solid players too. Marcus Morris has settled nicely into his 3-and-D role with the Clippers, while Ivica Zubac doesn’t get nearly enough credit for his stabilizing presence on the defensive end.
7. Max Strus & Jimmy Butler & Bam Adebayo, Heat
Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo were the driving force behind the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last season. Butler has now made the conference finals in two of three seasons with Miami, reasserting his status as a legitimate two-way superstar. His playmaking chops and clutch scoring at the heart of Miami’s offense, while his defense will take on even greater importance following P.J. Tucker’s departure. Bam Adebayo is a perennial DPOY candidate at this point, and the offense is getting better each year. Max Strus isn’t exactly a brand name, but he’s a knockdown shooter who understands how to play within his role.
6. Joe Harris & Kevin Durant & Ben Simmons, Nets
The Nets have a lot of potential options next to Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons. Conventional wisdom would suggest the recently signed Nic Claxton — a real center — but then you run into spacing concerns due to Simmons’ unwillingness to shoot. Then there are defense-first wings like Royce O’Neale or Bruce Brown. Or, there are the all-offense options: T.J. Warren or Joe Harris. It’s Harris who gets the hypothetical nod for now, because his deadly shooting (in tandem with Curry and Irving in the backcourt) would make Brooklyn practically unguardable. The defense is a major concern, but the Nets would comfortably out-score most teams.
5. P.J. Tucker & Tobias Harris & Joel Embiid, Sixers
Joel Embiid, two-time MVP runner-up and perennial All-Defense candidate, is all Philadelphia needs for a high placement on this list. A one-man defensive system and arguably the most physically dominant scorer since Shaq, Embiid has single-handedly dragged the Sixers to relevance despite setback after setback within the organization. Tobias Harris played the best basketball of his Sixers career after James Harden’s arrival last season, while P.J. Tucker‘s shooting and defensive versatility should provide a significant upgrade over Matisse Thybulle on the wing.
4. LeBron James & Anthony Davis & Thomas Bryant, Lakers
Last season was an abject disaster for the Lakers. Age and injuries are a major concern, while the roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis remains suboptimal. That said, it is still LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Those names might not carry the same weight that they once did, but it still feels wrong to count out LeBron. He put up MVP-caliber numbers last season, he just didn’t have much help. AD struggled more than we’re used to on offense, but you still won’t find many superior No. 2 options. Thomas Bryant can space the floor and provide defensive support at the rim. He’ll fit in nicely.
3. Jayson Tatum & Al Horford & Robert Williams III, Celtics
The Celtics had the most bulletproof starting five in the NBA last season. There’s no weak link, no readily exploitable weakness. Jayson Tatum has made the leap to superstardom, while Al Horford and Robert Williams are two elite, complementary defenders. Boston has the capacity to switch all five positions on defense. Horford is one of the league’s best communicators and organizers, Williams might lead the NBA in blocks, and Tatum can shut down elite wings when he wants to. The connectivity and fit is just as important as the talent here.
2. Michael Porter Jr. & Aaron Gordon & Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Nikola Jokic has deservingly won back-to-back MVPs, placing him in very prestigious company. We will look back on him as possibly the greatest offensive player of his generation — a hyper-efficient three-level scorer who can make every pass known (and unknown) to mankind. He’s also an elite rebounder and a much better defender than he gets credit for. Add in the prolific perimeter shooting touch of Michael Porter Jr. and the high-level wing defense of Aaron Gordon, and it’s hard to poke holes.
1. Khris Middleton & Giannis Antetokounmpo & Brook Lopez, Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo is probably the best player in the world right now. Were it not for injuries, the Bucks probably would have come out of the Eastern Conference. Antetokounmpo contorts both sides of the floor, while Khris Middleton’s efficient three-level scoring and Brook Lopez’s thundering presence at the rim provide perfect complements. Milwaukee has the foundation of a perennially elite defense, as well as one of the most potent offensive duos the game has to offer. Giannis and Middleton both play off of one another well, while Lopez can spread the floor and give them room to operate.