Strengths and Weaknesses of the starting lineups for each NBA team in 2022-23

Now with the new season here, it’s time to look at all of the NBA teams of what lineups they plan to start the season with.

With some teams, it’s easier said than done and locked in stone who will start throughout the season with a fully healthy lineup.

With other teams, you’ll have to look deeper. Depending on the internal improvements that are or aren’t made, some of these lineups may look quite different by the halfway point or playoffs. We’ve broken down our projected starting lineups for each team, with each lineup’s strengths and weaknesses.

  • * Indicates injury replacement

Atlanta Hawks

  • PG – Trae Young
  • SG – Dejounte Murray
  • SF – DeAndre Hunter
  • PF – John Collins
  • C – Clint Capela

Strengths: Defense and Length 

Weaknesses: 3 Point Shooting

Boston Celtics

  • PG – Marcus Smart
  • SG – Derrick White*
  • SF – Jaylen Brown
  • PF – Jayson Tatum
  • C – Al Horford

Strengths: Defense and playmaking

Weaknesses: Size

Brooklyn Nets

  • PG – Kyrie Irving
  • SG – Joe Harris
  • SF – Kevin Durant
  • PF – Ben Simmons
  • C – Nicolas Claxton

Strengths: Scoring, length and 3 point shooting

Weaknesses: Interior defense

Charlotte Hornets

  • PG – LaMelo Ball
  • SG – Terry Rozier
  • SF – Kelly Oubre Jr
  • PF – PJ Washington
  • C – Mason Plumlee

Strengths: Scoring, and playmaking 

Weaknesses: Defense (Overall)

Chicago Bulls

  • PG – Alex Caruso*
  • SG – Zach Lavine
  • SF – DeMar DeRozan
  • PF – Patrick Willaims
  • C – Nikola Vucevic

Strengths: Defense and Length 

Weaknesses: 3 Point Shooting, Size

Cleveland Cavaliers

  • PG – Darius Garland
  • SG – Donovan Mitchell
  • SF – Caris LeVert
  • PF – Evan Mobley
  • C – Jarrett Allen

Strengths: Defense and Playmaking

Weaknesses: 3 Point Shooting

Dallas Mavericks

  • PG – Luka Doncic
  • SG – Spencer Dinwiddie
  • SF – Reggie Bullock
  • PF – Dorain Finney-Smith
  • C – Javale McGee

Strengths: Defense and Length 

Weaknesses: 3 Point Shooting

Denver Nuggets

  • PG – Jamal Murray
  • SG – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
  • SF – Michael Porter Jr
  • PF – Aaron Gordon
  • C – Nikola Jokic

Strengths: Shooting and Playmaking

Weaknesses: 3 Point Shooting

Detroit Pistons

  • PG – Cade Cunningham
  • SG – Jaden Ivey
  • SF – Saddiq Bey
  • PF – Bojan Bogdanovic
  • C – Isaiah Stewart

Strengths: Playmaking, 3 point shooting

Weaknesses: Defense (overall)

Golden State Warriors

  • PG – Stephen Curry
  • SG – Klay Thompson
  • SF – Andrew Wiggins
  • PF – Draymond Green
  • C – Kevon Looney

Strengths: Scoring, and 3 point shooting

Weaknesses: Size

Houston Rockets

  • PG – Kevin Porter Jr
  • SG – Jalen Green
  • SF – Eric Gordon
  • PF – Jabari Smith Jr
  • C – Apleren Sengun

Strengths: Athleticism, Scoring

Weaknesses: Defense

Indiana Pacers

  • PG – T.J. McConnell
  • SG – Chris Duarte
  • SF – Buddy Hield
  • PF – Jalen Smith
  • C – Myles Turner

Strengths: 

Weaknesses: Defense (Perimeter)

Los Angeles Clippers

  • PG – John Wall
  • SG – Paul George
  • SF – Kawhi Leonard
  • PF – Macus Morris
  • C – Ivica Zubac

Strengths: Defense and Scoring

Weaknesses: 3 Point Shooting

Los Angeles Lakers

  • PG – Russel Westbrook
  • SG – Patrick Beverly
  • SF – LeBron James
  • PF – Anthony Davis
  • C – Wenyen Gabriel

Strengths: Playmaking and Length 

Weaknesses: 3 Point Shooting and Defense 

Memphis Grizzlies

  • PG – Ja Morant
  • SG – Desmond Bane
  • SF – Dillon Brooks
  • PF – Santi Aldama*
  • C – Steven Adams

Strengths: Defense and 3 Point Shooting

Weaknesses: Scoring 

Miami Heat

  • PG – Kyle Lowry
  • SG – Tyler Herro
  • SF – Jimmy Butler
  • PF – Caleb Martin
  • C – Bam Adebayo

Strengths: Defense and Length 

Weaknesses: Scoring

Milwaukee Bucks

  • PG – Jrue Holiday
  • SG – Grayson Allen
  • SF – Khris Middleton
  • PF – Giannis Antetokounmpo
  • C – Brook Lopez

Strengths: Defense and Length 

Weaknesses: Playmaking

Minnesota Timberwolves

  • PG – D’Angelo Russel
  • SG – Anthony Edwards
  • SF – Jaden McDaniels
  • PF – Karl Anthony-Towns
  • C – Rudy Gobert

Strengths: Defense and Length 

Weaknesses: 3 Point Shooting

New Orleans Pelicans

  • PG – CJ McCollum
  • SG – Herb Jones
  • SF – Brandon Ingram
  • PF – Zion Williamson
  • C – Jonas Valanciunas

New York Knicks

  • PG – Jalen Brunson
  • SG – Evan Fournier
  • SF – RJ Barrett
  • PF – Julius Randle
  • C – Mitchell Robinson

Strengths: Defense and Length 

Weaknesses: 3 Point Shooting and Playmaking

Oklahoma City Thunder

  • PG – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
  • SG – Luguentz Dort
  • SF – Josh Giddey
  • PF – Aleksej Pokusevski
  • C – Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

Strengths: Playmaking

Weaknesses: 3 Point Shooting and Scoring

Orlando Magic

  • PG – Cole Anthony
  • SG – Jalen Suggs
  • SF – Franz Wagner
  • PF – Paolo Banchero
  • C – Wendell Carter Jr

Strengths: Defense and Length 

Weaknesses: 3 Point Shooting and Scoring

Philadelphia 76ers

  • PG – Tyrese Maxey
  • SG – James Harden
  • SF – PJ Tucker
  • PF – Tobias Harris
  • C – Joel Embiid

Strengths: Defense and Length 

Weaknesses: Size 

Phoenix Suns

  • PG – Chris Paul
  • SG – Devin Booker
  • SF – Mikal Bridges
  • PF – Cameron Johnson
  • C – Deandre Ayton

Strengths: Defense and 3 Point Shooting

Weaknesses: Playmaking

Portland Trail Blazers

  • PG – Damian Lilard
  • SG – Anfernee Simons
  • SF – Josh Hart
  • PF – Jerami Grant
  • C – Jusuf Nurkic

Strengths: 3 Point Shooting and Playmaking

Weaknesses: Defense and Size

Sacramento Kings

  • PG – Da’Aaron Fox
  • SG – Kevin Huerter
  • SF – Harrison Barnes
  • PF – Keegan Murray
  • C – Domantas Sabonis

Strengths: Playmaking

Weaknesses: Defense 

San Antonio Spurs

  • PG – Tre Jones
  • SG – Devin Vassell
  • SF – Keldon Johnson
  • PF – Jeremy Sochan
  • C – Jakob Poeltl

Strengths: Playmaking

Weaknesses: Defense and Scoring

Toronto Raptors

  • PG – Fred VanVleet
  • SG – Gary Trent Jr
  • SF – Scottie Barnes
  • PF – Pascal Siakam
  • C – Precious Achiuwa

Strengths: Defense and Length

Weaknesses: Size

Utah Jazz

  • PG – Mike Conley
  • SG – Jordan Clarkson
  • SF – Lauri Markkanen
  • PF – Jarred Vanderbilt
  • C – Kelly Olynyk

Strengths: 3 Point Shooting and Size

Weaknesses: Defense 

Washington Wizards

  • PG – Monte Morris
  • SG – Will Barton*
  • SF – Rui Hachimura
  • PF – Kyle Kuzma
  • C – Kristaps Porzingis

Strengths: Length and Playmaking

Weaknesses: Scoring and Defense

Now with all of the lineups in place before the start of the season, it will be a wait and see approach to determine how fast some lineups will change. As the season starts, we’ll get a first glimpse as to see which lineups will lead to wins and which lineups will lead to new ones.

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Born and Raised in the Greater NYC Area. Long time New York Knicks fan as well as a Huge NBA fan since 2006. You can follow him on twitter at @KyosotaComics.