NBA free agency is essentially over and unless you’re Dennis Schroder, it’s time to start thinking about how teams are going to look in the 2021/22 NBA season. Teams have new players, and some have new coaches, which means new starting fives, a new rotation, and a fresh chance to rank them all. We’ve put our heads together to figure out the best starting fives in the NBA after free agency.
– A collaboration piece with Brandon Rosenthal, James Macey, and Sean Curley –
1
Brooklyn Nets
Head Coach: Steve Nash (2nd season)
2020 record: 48-24

An overwhelming consensus from our panel as the sheer talent of this Nets roster puts them in the top spot.
G | James Harden |
G | Kyrie Irving+ |
F | Joe Harris |
F | Kevin Durant |
C | Blake Griffin |
6th | Bruce Brown, G |
2
LA Lakers
Head Coach: Frank Vogel (3rd season)
2020 record: 42-30

Westbrook now joins LBJ and AD in La-La-Land for a new big 3, but this groups success all depends on health.
G | Russell Westbrook * |
G | Talen Horton-Tucker |
F | LeBron James+ |
F | Anthony Davis |
C | Marc Gasol |
6th | Carmelo Anthony, F * |
3
Milwaukee Bucks
Head Coach: Mike Budenholzer (4th season)
2020 record: 46-26

The defending champs bring back all their key pieces to make a run at a repeat.
G | Jrue Holliday |
G | Donte DiVincenzo |
F | Khris Middleton |
F | Giannis Antetokounmpo+ |
C | Brook Lopez |
6th | Bobby Portis, F |
4
Phoenix Suns
Head Coach: Monty Williams (3rd season)
2020 record: 51-21

Chris Paul is back, Booker and Ayton are a year older, and the young Suns seem poised to contend again.
G | Chris Paul+ |
G | Devin Booker |
F | Mikal Bridges |
F | Jae Crowder |
C | DeAndre Ayton |
6th | Cameron Payne |
5
Golden State Warriors
Head Coach: Steve Kerr (7th season)
2020 record: 39-33

The Dubs Trio is finally back together again and this panel is very excited to see Klay Thompson play basketball again.
G | Steph Curry+ |
G | Klay Thompson |
F | Andrew Wiggins |
F | Draymond Green |
C | James Wiseman |
6th | Otto Porter Jr, F * |
6
Miami Heat
Head Coach: Eric Spoelstra (12th season)
2020 record: 40-32

Miami got a little older and a little better in hopes that they can recreate the magic that brought them to the 2020 NBA Finals.
G | Kyle Lowry * |
G | Duncan Robinson |
F | Jimmy Butler+ |
F | PJ Tucker * |
C | Bam Adebayo |
6th | Tyler Herro, G |
7
Utah Jazz
Head Coach: Quin Snyder (3rd season)
2020 record: 52-20

The Jazz finished with the best record in the NBA last season, and they’ll return all five of their starters to run it back.
G | Mike Conley |
G | Donovan Mitchell |
F | Bogdan Bogdanovic |
F | Royce O’Neal |
C | Rudy Gobert+ |
6th | Jordan Clarkson, G |
8
Philadelphia 76ers
Head Coach: Doc Rivers (2nd season)
2020 record: 49-23

Philly’s starters had the best +/- of any team in 2020, but the real question is will Simmons be on the roster?
G | Ben Simmons |
G | Seth Curry |
F | Danny Green |
F | Tobias Harris |
C | Joel Embiid+ |
6th | Furkan Korkmaz, F |
9
Denver Nuggets
Head Coach: Michael Malone (7th season)
2020 record: 47-25

Denver is bringing everyone back but losing Jamal Murray is tough, even if you have the reigning MVP.
G | Monte Morris1 |
G | Will Barton |
F | Michael Porter Jr. |
F | Aaron Gordon |
C | Nikola Jokic+ |
6th | Jeff Green, F |
1 Jamal Murray out most of 2021/22 NBA season
10
Dallas Mavericks
Head Coach: Jason Kidd (1st season)
2020 record: 42-30

Luka is a superstar and Dallas brought his gang of shooters back for another run.
G | Luka Doncic+ |
G | Tim Hardaway Jr. |
F | Dorian Finney-Smith |
F | Kristaps Porzingis |
C | Dwight Powell |
6th | Reggie Bullock, G/F * |
11
Atlanta Hawks
Head Coach: Nate McMillan (2nd season)
2020 record: 42-30

The Hawks are fully healthy and they have a great chance to get right back to the ECF.
G | Trae Young |
G | Bogdan Bogdanovic |
F | Kevin Huerter |
F | John Collins |
C | Clint Capela |
6th | Lou Williams, G |
12
LA Clippers
Head Coach: Tyronn Lue (3rd season)
2020 record: 42-30

The loss of Kawhi to injury hurts their ceiling but the Clippers are still dangerous as presently constructed.
G | Reggie Jackson |
G | Paul George+ |
F | Nic Batum2 |
F | Marcus Morris Sr. |
C | Ivica Zubac |
6th | Luke Kennard, F/G |
2 Kawhi Leonard + out most of 2021/22 NBA season
13
Chicago Bulls
Head Coach: Billy Donovan (2nd season)
2020 record: 31-41

The Bulls retooled their roster and brought in Lonzo and Derozan to play along LaVine and Vooch. Not too sure of the fit but this unit is a nice 2K starting 5.
G | Lonzo Ball* |
G | Zach Lavine |
F | Demar Derozan* |
F | Lauri Markkanen |
C | Nicola Vucevic |
6th | Alex Caruso, G* |
14
Portland Trailblazers
Head Coach: Chauncey Billups (1st season)
2020 record: 42-30

Dame said it best — this team can’t get it done as currently constructed, but they’ll be fun to watch.
G | Damian Lillard |
G | CJ McCollum |
F | Norman Powell |
F | Robert Covington |
C | Jusef Nurkic |
6th | Anfernee Simons, G |
15
Boston Celtics
Head Coach: Ime Udoka (1st season)
2020 record: 42-30

The Celtics didn’t add a difference maker, but they still have two all-stars entering the prime of their careers.
G | Marcus Smart |
G | Josh Richardson * |
F | Jaylen Brown |
F | Jayson Tatum |
C | Robert Williams III |
6th | Dennis Schroder, G * |
16
New York Knicks
Head Coach: Tom Thibodeau (3rd season)
2020 record: 41-31

Kemba and Fournier are great additions to take the load off Randle — this team should be fun to watch and MSG will be rockin’.
G | Kemba Walker * |
G | Evan Fournier* |
F | R.J. Barrett |
F | Julius Randle+ |
C | Mitchell Robinson |
6th | Derrick Rose, G |
17
Memphis Grizzlies
Head Coach: Taylor Jenkins (3rd season)
2020 record: 38-34

The Grizz are young and hungry but they’ve got to supply Ja with some support in order to take the next step.
G | Ja Morant |
G | Dillon Brooks |
F | Kyle Anderson |
F | Jaren Jackson Jr. |
C | Steven Adams* |
6th | Brandon Clarke, F/C |
18
Charlotte Hornets
Head Coach: James Borrego (4th season)
2020 record: 33-39

The Hornets will need Lamelo and Hayward to be healthy to compete, and the addition of Oubre Jr. only adds to this team’s League Pass value.
G | Lamelo Ball |
G | Terry Rozier |
F | Gordon Hayward |
F | P.J. Washington Jr. |
C | Mason Plumlee * |
6th | Kelly Oubre Jr.* Miles Bridges |
19
Indiana Pacers
Head Coach: Rick Carlisle (1st season)
2020 record: 34-38

The Pacers have a very solid young core that competes, but someone will need to step up to help Sabonis.
G | Malcolm Brogdan |
G | Caris LeVert |
F | T.J. Warren |
F | Domantis Sabonis |
C | Myles Turner |
6th | T.J. McConnell |
20
Minnesota Timberwolves
Head Coach: Chris Finch (2nd season)
2020 record: 34-38

The Wolves are in a better spot this year, but it remains to be seen if the D-Lo/Edwards/KAT triptych is good enough to make any noise.
G | D’Angelo Russell |
G | Anthony Edwards |
F | Josh Okogie |
F | Jaden McDaniels |
C | Karl Anthony-Towns |
6th | Naz Reid, F/C |
21
Washington Wizards
Head Coach: Wes Unseld Jr. (1st season)
2020 record: 34-38

The new-look Wizards should be interesting to watch, as they have some talent — the spotlight is solely on Bradley Beal now.
G | Spencer Dinwiddie* |
G | Bradley Beal+ |
F | Kyle Kuzma* |
F | Rui Hachimura |
C | Thomas Bryant |
6th | Montrezl Harrell, F/C* |
22
Sacramento Kings
Head Coach: Luke Walton (3rd season)
2020 record: 31-41

The Kings are young and talented but ultimately lack the depth and leadership to make a playoff run.
G | De’Aaron Fox |
G | Buddy Hield |
F | Harrison Barnes |
F | Marvin Bagley III |
C | Richaun Holmes |
6th | Tyrese Haliburton |
23
New Orleans Pelicans
Head Coach: Willie Green (1st season)
2020 record: 31-41

Year two of the Zion/Ingram pairing will need to be better to prove they can coexist.
G | Nickeil Alexander-Walker |
G | Devonte’ Graham* |
F | Brandon Ingram |
F | Zion Williamson |
C | Jonas Valanciunas* |
6th | Kira Lewis Jr., G |
24
Toronto Raptors
Head Coach: Nick Nurse (4th season)
2020 record: 27-45

The Raps remain dangerous despite this looking like a rebuild year.
G | Fred VanVleet |
G | Gary Trent Jr. |
F | OG Anunoby |
F | Pascal Siakam |
C | Khem Birch |
6th | Chris Boucher, F/C |
25
San Antonio Spurs
Head Coach: Greg Popovich (23rd season)
2020 record: 33-39

The Spurs are now in rebuilding mode, but they still have Pop. This panel still can’t rank other teams above the Spurs due to Popovich.
G | Dejounte Murray |
G | Derrick White |
F | Doug McDermott* |
F | Keldon Johnson |
C | Jakob Poeltl |
6th | Lonnie Walker IV, F |
26
Detroit Pistons
Head Coach: Dwane Casey (4th season)
2020 record: 20-52

Cade Cunningham will be the main draw but the Pistons have sneakily assembled a nice collection of young players the last few years.
G | Killian Hayes |
G | Cade CunninghamR |
F | Saddiq Bey |
F | Jerami Grant |
C | Isiah Stewart |
6th | Kelly Olynyk, F/C |
27
Houston Rockets
Head Coach: Stephen Silas (2nd season)
2020 record: 17-55

Young, hungry, talented but inexperienced.
G | John Wall |
G | Kevin Porter Jr. |
F | Jalen GreenR |
F | Daniel Theis* |
C | Christian Wood |
6th | Jae’Sean Tate |
28
Cleveland Cavaliers
Head Coach: Larry Drew (1st season)
2020 record: 22-50

Despite their ranking, Cleveland’s starting five has the potential and talent to prove this panel wrong.
G | Darius Garland |
G | Collin Sexton |
F | Isaac Okoro |
F | Kevin Love |
C | Evan MobleyR |
6th | Ricky Rubio* |
29
Orlando Magic
Head Coach: Jamahl Mosley (1st season)
2020 record: 21-51

The Magic are entering another rebuilding year but at least Jalen Suggs seems like the real deal.
G | Cole Anthony3 |
G | Gary Harris |
F | Terrence Ross |
F | Moritz Wagner |
C | Wendell Carter Jr. |
6th | Jalen SuggsR |
3Markelle Fultz out most of 2021/22 NBA season
30
Oklahoma City Thunder
Head Coach: Mark Daigneault (1st season)
2020 record: 22-50

The Thunder are in complete rebuilding mode, and they’ve given SGA (or Poku) the keys to the future.
G | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
G | Luguentz Dort |
F | Aleksej Pokusevski |
F | Darius Bazley |
C | Isaiah Roby |
6th | Derrick Favors, F/C* |
*New to team
+20/21 All-NBA Selection
R Rookie
Thanks for reading!
– A collaboration piece with Brandon Rosenthal, James Macey, and Sean Curley –