The Sixers are expected to compete for a championship in 2023. After last season’s disappointing finish, Daryl Morey retooled the roster (and the starting five). James Harden now enters his first full season with the franchise, while P.J. Tucker should be a sizable upgrade on the wing.
We recently ranked every starting backcourt in the NBA and every starting frontcourt in the NBA. Naturally, the Sixers ranked highly in both respects. Now, we broaden the focus to every team’s starting five. If you want to win the title, you need an elite five-man group.
How highly does Philadelphia rank?
30. Spurs — Tre Jones, Josh Primo, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jakob Poeltl
In what could be Gregg Popovich’s last season on the sideline, the Spurs are at long last beginning their rebuild. Keldon Johnson and Josh Primo are the developmental focal points, while Devin Vassell’s continued evolution is worth monitoring as well. Jakob Poeltl is an excellent defensive anchor, but there’s a more than fair chance he gets traded for picks mid-season. Tre Jones is a solid game manager, but he’s not exactly starting point guard material long-term.
29. Rockets — Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, Eric Gordon, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun
Houston has a lot of interesting young talent. Jalen Green is primed for an explosive second season as the Rockets’ primary scorer. His unique blend of explosiveness, twitchiness, footwork, and shot-making are difficult to overlook. It took him a while to get going as a rookie, but late in the season, Green looked like the next great Western Conference guard. Eric Gordon is the stable vet of the group. Jabari Smith Jr. was almost the No. 1 pick for a reason — he will contribute on both sides of the ball. Alperen Sengun’s rookie numbers were sporadic but often impressive. Increased reps could lead to a real second-year breakout for the Turkish product.
28. Pistons — Jaden Ivey, Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey, Marvin Bagley III, Isaiah Stewart
Cade Cunningham is special. He alone could put a few extra wins on the Pistons’ record. Jaden Ivey figures to contribute immensely as a rookie, while Saddiq Bey will see his scoring reps increase in the absence of Jerami Grant. That said, the Pistons are overwhelmingly young still, and have very little proven talent beyond Cunningham. They are scrappy on defense, and there’s a real chance Cunningham puts up All-Star numbers, but don’t expect many wins for Detroit.
27. Thunder — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Lu Dort, Darius Bazley, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
The loss of Chet Holmgren will leave OKC with a lot of what-ifs, no matter how the season progresses. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is enough to keep OKC off the very bottom of the list — he’s simply one of the most gifted individual shot-creators on the planet — and Josh Giddey should improve markedly in year two. Beyond the backcourt, however, it gets murky. The Thunder just don’t have a ton of consistent offensive contributors right now.
26. Pacers — Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, Chris Duarte, Jalen Smith, Myles Turner
Tyrese Haliburton is cut from star cloth, but he and the Pacers are still a couple years away from making any real noise. In fact, Indiana will probably take a step back for it takes a step forward. Myles Turner is prime trade bait for desperate contenders, while Chris Duarte, Jalen Smith, and new lottery pick Bennedict Mathurin all need time to mature. Indy has enough shooting around Haliburton to make things happen on offense, and Turner is an elite defensive anchor, but the team is too young to contend right now.
25. Magic — Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.
Orlando is too young to compete, but goodness is that starting five exciting. There’s a lot of talent here: Paolo Banchero, the latest No. 1 pick, being the obvious headliner. Wendell Carter Jr. emerged as quite the well-rounded player last season while Franz Wagner flashed star upside as a rookie. Jalen Suggs struggled out of the gates, but his athleticism and basketball I.Q. should translate to productive, winning basketball sooner than later. Cole Anthony is a bucket. The Magic were a good defensive team for stretches last season and, with Paolo leading the charge, we could see the offense start to turn a corner. There’s a lot to like about Orlando’s future.
24. Jazz — Mike Conley, Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, Jarred Vanderbilt, Walker Kessler
There’s a strong chance Donovan Mitchell doesn’t start the season in Utah. If that ends up being the case, the Jazz will drop to the bottom of these rankings. For now, however, this remains a fairly competent starting five. Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanovic are strong secondary players, while Jarred Vanderbilt’s whirlwind defensive presence will help on the perimeter. Walker Kessler is a steep drop off from Rudy Gobert, but he was one of the best rim protectors in college basketball. He could prove at least adequate as a rookie.
23. Hornets — LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, P.J. Washington, Mason Plumlee
The Hornets made no substantial additions in the offseason and could conceivably lose Miles Bridges due to legal trouble. It’s hard not to be pessimistic about Charlotte’s immediate and long-term future, even with LaMelo Ball leading the charge. Charlotte should have no trouble generating points, but there’s no reason to believe the defense will meaningfully improve, and last season made one thing clear: this team, as constructed, just doesn’t have what it takes to compete at the highest level.
22. Wizards — Monte Morris, Bradley Beal, Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma, Kristaps Porzinigs
Washington finally landed a competent point guard to pair with Bradley Beal, while Beal’s new partnership with Kristaps Porzingis could inject some excitement into the Wizards fanbase. This is a solid starting five — any Beal team will generate points, and the combination of Porzinigs’ shot-blocking and Deni Avdija’s stout wing defense could keep Washington competitive on that side of the ball. That said, the Wizards still feel like a team tethered to mediocrity with no clear path out. Top-10 pick Johnny Davis could assume a spot in the starting five sooner than later if he pans out.
21. Kings — De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis
Sacramento’s controversial decision to trade for Domantas Sabonis has not aged perfectly, but there’s no denying Sabonis’ influence on the team. He’s a dominant interior force who formed fast chemistry with De’Aaron Fox, who did see his own numbers skyrocket following Haliburton’s exit. Those two should keep the Kings in the play-in tournament mix, especially with such a solid supporting cast. Harrison Barnes is often the Kings’ unsung hero, but he shows up to work and performs every night. Keegan Murray was a top-4 pick for a reason, and Kevin Huerter should be a clean fit in the backcourt as a dynamic 3-and-D wing.
20. Knicks — Jalen Brunson, Quentin Grimes, R.J. Barrett, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson
The Knicks’ lineup is actually pretty interesting. Jalen Brunson was big time for Dallas in the playoffs and he satiates a long-running need for a real point guard in New York. R.J. Barrett, meanwhile, looks primed to make his first real run at the All-Star game next season. Between Brunson’s heady playmaking and Barrett’s rumbling downhill scoring, New York’s offense should run much smoother than in 2021-22. Julius Randle is also in line for something of a bounce back, while Mitchell Robinson is another year further along in his development. The starting two-guard spot is hard to project (Evan Fournier is the vet and Immanuel Quickley is the fan favorite), but Quentin Grimes’ defense wins him the job for now.
19. Blazers — Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, Josh Hart, Jerami Grant, Jusuf Nurkic
The Blazers’ success will ultimately come down to how healthy Damian Lillard is. The All-Star missed most of last season rehabbing an abdominal injury, but he now claims to feel better than ever. If that’s true, Portland could be right back in the postseason mix. Anfernee Simons is a suitable replacement for CJ McCollum (with plenty of room left to grow), while the addition of Jerami Grant fortifies the defense in a significant way. Josh Hart provides well-rounded contributions on the wing, and Jusuf Nurkic remains a savvy two-way force — even if he has lost a step to injuries.
18. Lakers — Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Thomas Bryant
The Lakers still have LeBron James and Anthony Davis. That fact alone makes it difficult to count them out. James put up MVP-caliber numbers last season, and were it not for injuries and perhaps the worst supporting cast in basketball, it might have amounted to something. LA has made a few nice additions this summer — most recently acquiring Patrick Beverley, who figures to start in the backcourt — which could place them back in the postseason mix. Russell Westbrook can’t get much worse, Beverley is a winning player through and through, and Thomas Bryant’s blend of shot-blocking and 3-point shooting should make him a useful complement to Davis in the frontcourt.
17. Cavaliers — Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, Lauri Markkanen, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Before injures ravaged the roster, Cleveland looked like a potential top-five seed in the East last season. The starting five simply fits. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley spearhead an elite defense, while Darius Garland’s ascent to All-Star status completely changed the functionality of Cleveland’s offense. Garland can play set-up man, or he can take over the game with his pull-up shooting and nifty in-between game. Caris LeVert’s arrival provided the Cavs with another source of shot creation in the backcourt, while Lauri Markkanen adjusted well to life as a “small” forward. There’s shooting, rim protection, versatility, and playmaking all readily available. Cleveland is a good team.
16. Bulls — Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic
Chicago managed to stay competitive last season despite multiple key injuries. With Lonzo Ball and Patrick Williams both back in the rotation full-time (hopefully), Chicago has a chance to make real waves in the Eastern Conference standings. Ball was a special defender in his brief time on the court last season, while his offensive fit working off of Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan is undeniable. The Bulls have two star creators, one of the smartest connective-tissue passers in the game, and a multi-time All-Star patrolling the middle in Nikola Vucevic. Williams needs to stay on the court, but he’s a lottery pick with serious untapped potential. Defense could be an issue — Lonzo and Alex Caruso are not traditional defensive anchors — but the Bulls’ offense should run smoothly.
15. Raptors — Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam
Toronto’s small starting five paid dividends last season. Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet emerged as bonafide stars, while the ability to switch across positions played into Toronto’s swarming nature on defense. Gary Trent Jr. finally emerged as a reliable 3-and-D weapon, while Scottie Barnes’ Rookie of the Year run hinted at major long-term potential. He scored more prolifically than he ever did in college, all while maintaining elite defense at multiple positions and occasionally running point at 6-foot-8. His diverse, unselfish skill set is the glue that held together a playoff team. OG Anunoby — if he can stay healthy — is once again a strong early bet for Most Improved Player.
14. Grizzlies — Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., Steven Adams
The Grizzlies posted the second-best regular season record in the NBA last season. That was largely a factor of their unmatched depth. Memphis spent much of last offseason trying to create roster spots for all the young talent on the team. While the bench was a big reason for the Grizzlies’ success, one cannot discount the starting five. Ja Morant catapulted into the MVP discussion with a magical third season. Jaren Jackson Jr. was a singularly impactful rim protector, Desmond Bane emerged as one of the NBA’s preeminent sharpshooters, and Dillon Brooks continued to impact winning on both sides of the ball. Even Steven Adams, who was more situational than foundational, made an indelible mark on the team with his high-feel approach and toughness in the paint.
13. Heat — Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, Max Strus, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo
Miami has made two conference finals in three seasons with Jimmy Butler. This lineup just works. Kyle Lowry took a step back last season, but his intelligence, toughness, and timely shot-making still translated to winning basketball. Butler is a flat-out superstar, and Bam Adebayo isn’t too far behind. The latter is arguably the best defender in the Eastern Conference right now — his versatility at the five spot is unmatched. Tyler Herro won Sixth Man of the Year, and early projections have him joining the starting five. He’s the team’s most explosive perimeter scorer. Max Strus is there to hit 3s and defend. This is a rock-solid group with a lot of connectivity and chemistry.
12. Pelicans — CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Herbert Jones, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas
The Pelicans have a real chance to vault into contention next season. It all starts, of course, with Zion Williamson — or, more specifically, Zion Williamson’s health. If the former No. 1 pick can stay on the court, New Orleans is going to have one of the most dominant offenses in the league. Williamson was knocking on the door of superstardom last time we saw him. He managed to operate as both a playmaking hub and go-to scorer despite bearing no semblance of a reliable 3-point shot. He’s just too strong and too fast to keep out of the paint. He now has two co-stars in Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum, while Valanciunas’ ability to step outside and hit 3s will afford Williamson even more room to terrorize the paint. Herbert Jones, meanwhile, is already one of the best wing defenders in the game.
11. Hawks — Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, DeAndre Hunter, John Collins, Clint Capela
The Hawks — like so many other teams — just need everyone to stay healthy. DeAndre Hunter has flashed game-changing potential on both sides of the ball, but he’s never on the court. If he can take the next step at full health, in conjunction with Dejounte Murray and Clint Capela anchoring the defense, then Atlanta might finally have a team that can win on both sides of the ball. There are other factors at play, of course. Trae Young will have to adjust his approach with Murray in the mix, hopefully leading to more off-ball reps where he can leverage his shooting gravity. Also, how does Clint Capela look on heels of a somewhat disappointing season? Does he bounce back, or do we edge closer to Onyeka Okongwu’s inevitable takeover?
10. Timberwolves — D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert
The Wolves finally made another splashy trade to pair a top-level star with Karl-Anthony Towns. That star is Rudy Gobert, arguably the best defender of his generation. The nature of the Gobert-Towns partnership will be interesting to monitor — recent history has taught us that “Twin Tower” experiments can go wrong. That said, Towns is the best big man shooter of all time on paper, and Gobert’s rim protection virtually guarantees your team a top-10 defense. With Anthony Edwards on the verge of his star leap, and two useful complementary talents in D’Angelo Russell and Jaden McDaniels rounding out the lineup, it’s hard to find much fault in this group.
9. Mavericks — Luka Doncic, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, Christian Wood, JaVale McGee
Luka Doncic is the ultimate one-man contender right now. It’s hard to not have a competent team with him handling the rock. Dallas lost Jalen Brunson to free agency — a loss that will be deeply felt — but there’s every reason to believe the Mavs can recover. Spencer Dinwiddie is a starting-caliber guard who complements Luka quite well. Christian Wood has the talent to match or exceed Brunson’s impact, albeit in completely different ways. Wood has one of the most expansive offensive repertoires of any NBA big. He can spread the floor, dominate in transition, or provide Luka with an outlet around the rim. Dorian Finney-Smtih is an elite wing defender, and JaVale McGee should look right at home catching lobs from Doncic.
8. Nets — Kyrie Irving, Seth Curry, Joe Harris, Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons
After a summer of speculation, it appears that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will give it another go in Brooklyn. Ben Simmons is also slated to make his Nets debut, making the second sons of New York one of the more interesting contenders in the NBA. Very few trios (if any) can match the offensive talent of Durant, Irving, and Simmons. That said, the defense is a major concern. Simmons almost won DPOY a couple years ago, but he has never been great as a small-ball five. The Nets don’t currently have any rim protectors who can spread the floor and cleanly co-exist with Simmons. This is a pretty reasonable alternative — putting as much offensive firepower on the floor as possible — but it’s fair to wonder just how successfully Brooklyn will stop the other team, even with Simmons mucking up passing lanes and suffocating ball-handlers.
7. Clippers — Reggie Jackson, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac
Kawhi Leonard’s health is the ultimate factor in LA’s outlook for 2022-23. If he’s the Kawhi of old, then the Clippers might be favorites in the West. If he takes another step back, even then LA will be a handful. There aren’t many teams who can match the Clippers’ combination of top-end talent and depth. Paul George remains an elite No. 2 option (maybe the best No. 2 option in the sport), while Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac, and Reggie Jackson have all been stars in their roles for LA in Leonard’s absence. John Wall could also replace Jackson as the starting point guard — there’s some obvious upside there if Wall can relocate some of his pre-ACL magic.
6. Sixers — James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, P.J. Tucker, Tobias Harris, Joel Embiid
The Sixers’ starting lineup has never not produced. Joel Embiid virtually guarantees Philadelphia some level of competency. That said, this might be the best starting five ever placed around Embiid. James Harden, while not the MVP of old, is still a top-tier facilitator who consistently breaks down the defense. Tyrese Maxey is an elite third option who can spot-up and splash 3s, or use his speed to torch the rotating defense and put pressure on the rim. Then there’s Tobias Harris, coming off his best stretch as a Sixer post-Harden’s arrival. The cherry on top, of course, is P.J. Tucker — an elite multi-positional defender with years of experience, a championship under his belt, and a knockdown jumper.
5. Suns — Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, Deandre Ayton
The Suns are still very real contenders in the West. Last season came to a deflating and disappointing end, but Deandre Ayton returned on a four-year max extension, Devin Booker is right in the middle of his prime, and Chris Paul has given us every reason to believe he can continue delivering superstar performances at the point guard spot. Add in Mikal Bridges, who finished second in DPOY voting, and the always-impactful Jae Crowder, and there just aren’t many holes to poke. The Suns have continuity, star power, and a track record of success. We can’t write them off because of one bad game seven.
4. Nuggets — Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic
It starts with Nikola Jokic, the back-to-back MVP and arguably the best offensive player in basketball. He is not only a superstar, but a superstar whose primary talent is elevating those around him. Then there’s Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., both of whom missed essentially all of last season. Injuries always leave lingering concerns, but if Murray and Porter (both of whom are under 25 years of age) can return to form, then Jokic will have two real co-stars to share the burden with offensively. Murray can create his own offense from scratch, or work out of two-man actions with Jokic to supreme effect. Porter is one of the NBA’s most prolific perimeter shooters at 6-foot-10. Aaron Gordon, meanwhile, is an elite wing defender, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is the perfect 3-and-D role player to tie everything together.
3. Celtics — Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Robert Williams III
The Celtics’ starting five was bulletproof last season. This is probably the best defensive group in the league — Marcus Smart generating chaos on the perimeter, Jayson Tatum checking the opposition’s top wing, Al Horford switching gracefully between the post and the perimeter, and Robert Williams swatting everything within a one-mile radius at the rim. Meanwhile, Tatum and Brown continue to build rapport as one of the NBA’s foremost star duos. Tatum is on the verge of perennial MVP consideration, Brown is an All-Star, and the Celtics received star-level contributions from Smart and Williams last season. Without even starting on Boston’s impressive bench unit, it’s not hard to peg the Celtics as threats to repeat as conference champs.
2. Warriors — Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney
Golden State won the championship. Next season, they will have a strong opportunity to repeat. Stephen Curry remains completely undeniable — one of the truly great offensive talents of our time. He can bend and warp a defense without touching the ball. Meanwhile, Klay Thompson will be further removed from his injury (and therefore in more of a playing rhythm), while Draymond Green is still the defining defensive force of his generation. Add in Andrew Wiggins’ growth from unreliable chucker to two-way All-Star, and the Warriors are the team to beat out West. Even Kevon Looney, who’s not exactly a brand name, has a years-long resumé of successfully starting at center.
1. Bucks — Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez
The Bucks were a bounce or two away from knocking Boston out in the second round despite missing Khris Middleton, a top-25 player and their best perimeter scorer. When healthy, Milwaukee is still the team to beat. Giannis Antetokounmpo has cemented his place atop the NBA throne — he’s the best player in the league, and he dominates on both sides of the ball. Middleton is perpetually underrated as the No. 2 star, while Jrue Holiday’s playmaking-defense combo makes him an effective backcourt leader. Brook Lopez is the ideal complement in the middle. He can spread the floor and make room for Giannis on offense, while his rim protection on defense is what allows Giannis to take so many risks in the free safety role. Grayson Allen hits 3s and gets under the opponents’ skin. That’s what you need sometimes.