Ranking the NBA's Top 10 starting lineups: Timberwolves among best in the league
By Austin McGee
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
Projected starters: Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert
Only the second thus far to trot out the same lineup as they did on opening day in 2023, the Timberwolves' first five have displayed excellence on the defensive end and efficiency offensively. There will always be questions about the clunky Karl-Anthony Towns-Rudy Gobert pairing, but we've seen how far this lineup can take the franchise.
What makes this lineup better than most is the sole inclusion of Anthony Edwards. The 22-year-old star is already one of the best players in the association. He's a transcendent scorer who possesses an unmatched competitiveness. Besides Edwards, the 23-year-old Jaden McDaniels is already a defensive star who's improving on offense.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Projected starters: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein
A 57-win team just got even better in the offseason. After losing to the Mavericks in the second round, the Oklahoma City Thunder were well aware of their deficiencies. The Thunder were destroyed on the glass and clearly lacked physicality against Dallas. Instead of running it back with 200-pound Chet Holmgren at the pivot spot, the Thunder added the physically imposing Hartenstein to beef up the frontcourt.
In addition to Hartenstein, Oklahoma City traded for Caruso who may start alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the backcourt. For now, we've slotted in Lu Dort as the starting shooting guard in place of Caruso. Dort has started 283 of 292 games as a member of the Thunder. Regardless of who starts, the Thunder are ripe with shotmakers and defenders all 26 or younger.
1. Boston Celtics
Projected starters: Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis
There's no argument. The Boston Celtics have the best starting five in the NBA. The mix of playmaking and shotmaking is unbelievable. As evidenced by the Celtics' dismantling of the Mavericks, every player on the floor can get their own shot.
Furthermore, four of the five Boston starters can initiate the offense. And if the oft-injured Kristpas Porzingis misses time, the Celtics can easily replace him with the ever-reliable Al Horford. Sure, you could point to a lack of traditional size, however, the Celtics were top-two in rebounds and blocks per game. This lineup is that well-versed.
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