Portland Trail Blazers: Ranking projected starting lineups in the NBA part 2
By Andy Quach
Solid: the top-20 starting lineups in the NBA
20. Minnesota Timberwolves
Projected starting lineup:
G – D’Angelo Russell
G – Malik Beasley
F – Anthony Edwards
F – Jaden McDaniels
This Minnesota Timberwolves squad is overflowing with offensive talent. Each starter can space the floor and attack the rim, with four of them comfortable with creating their own offense. This T-Wolves attack should be one of the most versatile and unpredictable in the league next season.
What’s weighing this team down from being a serious contender is their lack of bench depth—their 6-10 positions ranked 28th in the league in my bench projections—and a severe lack of defensive stoppers.
Beasley, Edward, and McDaniels all have the physical gifts to be great defenders at their position, but that hasn’t been the M.O. for this team or these individual players at this point in their careers.
With a new level of commitment to defense, and possibly a Ben Simmons trade, Minnesota could make a lot more noise than initially expected.
19. Los Angeles Clippers
Projected starting lineup:
G – Reggie Jackson
G – Eric Bledsoe
F – Paul George
F – Marcus Morris
C – Ivica Zubac
Not having Kawhi Leonard for possibly the entire season obviously drops this team from contender status, but the Clippers remaining depth led by Paul George should still compete for the playoffs.
This squad still offers a great balance of floor-spacing, slashing, and defense.
PG13 could be a lowkey MVP candidate this upcoming season if he can lead this team to a guaranteed playoff spot, while carrying them as the unquestioned number one option.
18. Memphis Grizzlies
Projected starting lineup:
G – Ja Morant
G – Dillon Brooks
F – Kyle Anderson
F – Jaren Jackson Jr.
C – Steven Adams
The Memphis Grizzlies were already extremely solid last year. It seems like their leaning into furthering their rebuild rather than trying to compete immediately, evidenced by their trade for Steven Adams which also netted them an additional first-round pick and allowed them to move up in the 2021 NBA Draft for Ziaire Williams.
That move cost them Jonas Valanciunas in return, who was sent to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Those that haven’t tuned in to the Grizzlies much might not know how important Valanciunas was to Memphis’s offense, acting as a playmaking hub, low-block option, and offensive rebounder.
Steven Adams can replicate his screening and rebounding, but doesn’t offer nearly the same level of offensive versatility.
The Grizz will have to hope that JJJ’s return to form and Morant’s continued development can make up for the loss of Valanciunas in the middle, but regardless, Memphis will still have one of the most solid starting fives in the NBA.
17. Charlotte Hornets
Projected starting lineup:
G – LaMelo Ball
G – Terry Rozier
F – Gordon Hayward
F – P.J. Washington
C – Mason Plumlee
Injecting Gordon Hayward and Mason Plumlee into this Charlotte Hornets team could actually be a detriment. Last year’s Hornets squad played fast and loose, and integrating the two veterans will call for a different playstyle.
Still, even after all the injuries, Hayward when healthy can offer the Hornets a true number one scoring option who can fill it up from all three levels.
Both he and Plumlee are underrated playmakers who will still keep Charlotte’s ball movement alive, even if the pace has to steady a little.
If Hayward can stay off the injury report all season, this Hornets squad could surprise some people.
16. New York Knicks
Projected starting lineup:
G – Kemba Walker
G – Evan Fournier
F – RJ Barrett
F – Julius Randle
C – Mitchell Robinson
The surprising upstart New York Knicks team from last year significantly upgraded in the backcourt.
Of course, there’s a high chance that both Kemba and Fournier look more like the versions they presented last season with the Boston Celtics than of their more notable past teams, but I’m expecting both to bounce back strong in the Big Apple.
If Kemba and Fournier can return to form, this lineup has an excellent mix of both offense and defense. Walker gives the Knicks what they were lacking in last year’s playoff loss to the Atlanta Hawks: a tried and tested number one option who can create offense out of thin air.