As teams approach the NBA Draft, general managers and coaches are always looking for the best deals to improve their teams. This may come with the draft pick itself or in a deal, they make on draft night in an exchange of players, just as we have seen in the past with Luka Doncic and Trae Young, among so many others. Sometimes these deals work out for both teams, and other times, they are a complete disaster for one side. Have you ever thought about what the NBA would look like if these draft-day deals were banned? If teams had to stick with the players they selected in the NBA Draft rather than maneuver for what they think is the best deal? Well, look no further.
Last week, we discussed what each NBA team would look like if they added one franchise legend to their lineups and how it would shake up the NBA. Today, we will take a look at each NBA lineup if they used just the players that they drafted, even if they traded them that evening in which they were selected. Players like Carmelo Anthony, DeMarcus Cousins, and Dwight Howard will not be included due to the fact that they have been without a team for some time, although they are technically free agents. These teams will be based on the five best players drafted by each franchise, so throw everything you know about traditional lineups out the window.
Now, let’s take a look at the 2022-23 NBA teams if they kept all players that they drafted.
Atlanta Hawks
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Dennis Schroder, Kevin Huerter, Luka Doncic, John Collins, Al Horford
The Atlanta Hawks present a lineup that features Luka Doncic as their superstar factor. Doncic will have plenty to work with, even though he has two other guards sharing the lineup with him. Huerter will be a weapon for Doncic as a three-point shooter boasting a career 38.6% three-point percentage. Schroder is also a good match with Doncic on the court as he will take pressure off Doncic to create for others which we have seen can wear him down throughout the season.
As we move to the frontcourt, you can just imagine the beautiful moments we will inevitably get from the Luka to John Collins connection. Despite Collins’ drop-off in 2022-23, I would expect an increase in usage with Luka on the court. Tying it all together with his veteran leadership and defensive presence will be Al Horford. Hordford will be a great complement opposite Collins and to the three-guard play for Atlanta. I would expect the Hawks to be competing for a playoff spot come the end of the season.
Boston Celtics
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Robert Williams
The beautiful thing for the Celtics in this scenario is that they are only adding Terry Rozier and losing nothing significant as far as their starters go. They get to keep the core of Smart, Tatum, Brown, and Williams which means team chemistry would be rated 100 if this was NBA 2k. This core four provided a big push for the Celtics in 2022 and could do so again in 2022-23 without the addition of a scoring guard like Rozier even taken into account.
Rozier left the Celtics in 2019 to join the Hornets, where he has bloomed into a 20.0 PPG scorer. His presence would take tremendous pressure off of Brown and Tatum to produce as he can create shots for himself and also provides a bit of a playmaking punch. Rozier’s addition to this lineup means Boston is just as they are right now for 2022-23, a team toward the top of the Eastern Conference and a legitimate NBA championship threat.
Brooklyn Nets
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Pat Connaughton, Saddiq Bey, Kyle Kuzma, Brook Lopez, Jarett Allen
At first glance, you may be thinking to yourself that this isn’t even a play-in team in most cases, especially against the other talent on our list. Connaughton and Bey are not an ideal backcourt tandem with Bey yet to live up to the hype he had entering the NBA and Connaughton spending most of his career off the bench as a three-point shooter who has never averaged more than 10.0 PPG. The way the rest of the lineup rounds out is the key for Brooklyn.
Ever since the pressure of playing in L.A. has been off Kyle Kuzma has been playing some of his best basketball with 19.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 3.7 APG in Washington over two seasons. He will be a key offensive piece for them as they look to navigate their new look. Brook Lopez returns to Brooklyn as a different player than the one who became the Nets’ all-time leading scorer. He and Jarrett Allen will combine to create a dominant defensive frontcourt that will be hard to penetrate as opponents attack. The duo of Allen and Lopez will be the key to Brooklyn’s success over the course of 82 games. Playoffs seem like a real possibility for the Nets and this lineup.
Charlotte Hornets
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: LaMelo Ball, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Malik Monk, Tobias Harris, Dwight Powell
One thing is for certain as we reconfigure the Hornets lineup in 2022-23, and that is they will be much better than the product they actually have on the court right now. If healthy, LaMelo Ball is one of the best young point guards in basketball but has had issues staying on the court over the last two seasons. We combined him and breakout star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who is having a monster 2022-23 season with the Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander will be the featured player in this lineup, with his 31.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 5.6 APG being the best on the court.
Despite being a sixth man for the entirety of 2022-23, Malik Monk will get the start for Charlotte and be one of their shooting threats from the perimeter. The frontcourt takes a hit with Tobias Harris starting at power forward but feeling much more comfortable stepping away from the basket and getting his shots from there. This leaves a small center in Dwight Powell to man the middle, who has been a disappointment in Dallas for the most part. Overall. This team has what it takes to compete but will struggle at times. The play-in tournament seems more likely than any other situation.
Chicago Bulls
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Bobby Portis, Wendell Carter Jr., Jusuf Nurkic
Are the Chicago Bulls better with this lineup than they are currently in 2022-23? It is a real possibility when you take a deeper look into it. Derrick Rose is clearly not the same player he was when he won MVP and may not even be a starter anymore in the NBA, but he can still be quite effective in short bursts. Jimmy Butler sets up next to Rose and is still one of the best two-way players in the NBA. Their IQs combined could be enough to lead an interesting team such as this one into contention.
Bobby Portis has provided a spark wherever he has gone in his career but returns to Chicago a different man than before. As a rebounder and shooter, Portis does the little things that every team needs from their role players at an elite level. Wendell Carter Jr. is someone the Bulls may have liked to keep looking back on the trade with Orlando and Carter’s development into a 15.0 PPG and 8.0 RPG player. Jusuf Nurkic’s impact can only be measured by the time he actually spends on the court, which has been a real area of concern for him since 2020. As a rebounder and defender, he will be a vital part of their success if they are to make the playoffs.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Kyrie Irving, Darius Garland, Andrew Wiggins, LeBron James, Evan Mobley
The point has come on our list where we have reached the first true title contender. First, any team that has LeBron James and healthy, has a shot at competing for an NBA championship, given his track record. In this case, it also happens to be about the teammates around him contributing in a big way. The move reunites him with Kyrie Irving, who we have all already seen the special things these two can do together on the court at their best, and that is win an NBA title.
The move also gives them another scorer playmaker on the perimeter in Darius Garland, who has averaged 21.8 PPG and 8.2 APG over the last two years in Cleveland. Although hurt for the majority of 2022-23, the last time Wiggins was on the court, he was playing elite defense for the NBA champion Golden State Warriors, and adding him to this lineup makes it a scary one. Last, but not least, Evan Mobley has turned into an incredible two-way forward/center for Cleveland in just his second season and is a consistent scorer as well as an elite rim-protector. This Cavaliers team is primed for an NBA championship run if all goes according to plan.
Dallas Mavericks
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Trae Young, Jalen Brunson, Shake Milton, Josh Green, Kelly Olynyk
The Dallas Mavericks will suffer a severe drop-off in talent and results with or rearranging of these lineups. At first glance, the duo of Trae Young and Jalen Brunson in the backcourt seems like a great tandem. Until you realize both players need the ball in their hands to maximize their effectiveness. Brunson will be effective as a playmaker and scorer, and Young will be an outside shot creator and playmaker as well. This duo will be Dallas’ focal point, but the rest of the roster will let them down.
Shake Milton can be a provider for any team off the bench but is unproven as a starter, with five seasons of mostly coming off the bench. Josh Green is young and looks like he could be an effective starter in the coming years but is still too inexperienced and small to just plug in at a power forward spot. As for Kelly Olynyk, I am not sure he is even a starting-level center in the NBA anymore, but the 10-year veteran will provide double-digit scoring when called upon. Overall, this team is too unorganized and has no identity other than their guard play. The only outcome we see for them is missing the playoffs.
Detroit Pistons
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Cade Cunningham, Spencer Dinwiddie, Khris Middleton, Luke Kennard, Andre Drummond
I will be the first to admit that the casual NBA fan will not find this Pistons lineup entertaining outside of Cade cunningham and Middleton. Cunningham is a young star who has only been able to show flashes of what he is capable of as a scorer and playmaker due to battles with injuries over the last two seasons. Middleton has shown that he can close games down the stretch as a primary option for a championship team. Both are vital assets to any situation they are in.
The interesting fit will be Spencer Dinwiddie. We know he can provide an offensive spark for a lineup with another ball-dominant player on the court, as he did in Dallas. Luke Kennard will be the Pistons’ biggest threat from three, with his 42.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Andre Drummond returns to Detroit but is much older and much less of a factor as a rebounder and interior presence than in his earlier days with the Pistons. Realistically, this team may compete for a play-in spot, but that is their absolute ceiling in any season.
Denver Nuggets
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Jamal Murray, Donovan Mitchell, Michael Porter Jr., Nikola Jokic, Rudy Gobert
As we move on to the Denver Nuggets, let me introduce you to the second true championship contender on our list. This time, the Nuggets get to keep their point guard, forward, and two-time MVP center while adding two of the best players at their position to their shooting guard and center roles. Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell will be a dynamic and dangerous duo in the backcourt as two talented scorers and distributors. Michael Porter Jr. has been great since returning from his back injury, and providing 17.2 PPG next to these two could be unbeatable.
Now we get to the most dynamic frontcourt in NBA history. On one hand, we have Nikola Jokic who is one of the best offensive bigs in NBA history and is a killer as a scorer, passer, and playmaker. Having him set up at power forward will allow Denver to have a much smoother running offense. Then, we add an elite interior defender like Rudy Gobert to close the lineup out in a dominant fashion. Gobert and Jokic’s games complement each other perfectly leading to a certain NBA Finals berth for them in the future.
Golden State Warriors
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole, Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green
Not a lot of changes for the defending champion Golden State Warriors in this lineup. The biggest standouts will be the addition of Jordan Poole into the starting rotation and the return of Harrison Barnes, which forces Draymond to play the center spot for the most part. In that aspect of things, the Warriors may be lacking. However, Stephen Curry and Klay are still occupying space in the lineup as well, and that is a recipe for success.
As we have seen over the course of 2022-23, Klay and Curry still have the ability to provide enough of a spark to carry a team to victory individually, let alone what they can do together. Green will have his hands full in the paint, but as someone who can effectively guard all five positions and the style the Warriors play with, they can adjust. Poole will have issues adjusting as well with fewer touches than he’s accustomed to, but he will also have ample opportunity for isolation or even open opportunities with Klay and Curry drawing so much attention. I cannot deny the fact that even with this lineup, the Warriors are championship contenders.
Houston Rockets
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Jalen Green, Dillion Brooks, Marcus Morris, Alperen Sengun, Clint Capela
I really hate to be the bearer of bad news to Rockets fans in this case, but your team is still looking at a bottom of the Western Conference finish. Jalen Green and Dillion Brooks make for an interesting backcourt for Houston, as Green has developed into a 21.0 PPG scorer in just his second season as a number-one option. Dillion Brooks will provide an edge on the defensive side of the ball, but attitude and above-average defense aren’t going to win you many games when your offense is borderline ineffective.
The front line for this team is where there will be some major concerns. Marcus Morris can still shoot the three-ball and give a team 11.0 PPG and will be in the exact same role with Houston. Sengun is a crafty and skilled big man who will be an asset to the growth of this lineup together. He is a talented passer and shot-creator for his size and could take a primary role as the season wears on. Capela will be most utilized for his rebounding, but health issues are a concern for him as time goes on. Again, playoffs are not in the cards for this inexperienced and depleted lineup.
Indiana Pacers
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Caris LeVert, Bennedict Mathurin, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Myles Turner
The Indiana Pacers boast one of the more complete lineups from top to bottom on this entire list. With Caris LeVert and Bennedict Mathurin starting in the backcourt, they each provide speed and solid court awareness to handle their roles in a way that will benefit their team. Once we start moving toward the front line of this lineup is when things get interesting.
We take the duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard away from their spot with the Clippers and plug them into a dangerous Indiana lineup. George and Kawhi are two of the better two-way wings in basketball right now, with their only issues being load management. Myles turner will provide elite rim protection on defense and can be used as an offensive threat if George and Kawhi are having off nights or find themselves swarmed by defenses. This Indiana Pacers lineup has a serious chance to make some noise in the playoffs and possibly come out of the Eastern Conference.
Los Angeles Clippers
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Terrance Mann, Eric Gordon, Reggie Bullock, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan
It isn’t hard to see that the L.A. Clippers have made most of their big splashes over the years through free agency and trades rather than the draft. It isn’t that this lineup isn’t good, it is that this lineup is atrocious, especially when you factor in that we are taking these players as their current versions and not when they were drafted to the team.
Long gone are the days of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan as one of the elite frontcourts in basketball, with both players taking up spots at the end of the bench these days. Eric Gordon and Reggie Bullock’s best days are behind them, leaving Mann as the primary option for the Clippers from this lineup. The best news for Clippers fans in this arrangement is the possibility of landing top prospect Victor Wembanyama.
Los Angeles Lakers
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Lonzo Ball, D’Angelo Russell, De’Andre Hunter, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle
This has to be one of the top three lineups I would actually want to see play out on the court. First of all, to see Lonzo Ball back healthy is a dream considering the strides he has made as a defender, shooter, and playmaker. He and D’Angelo Russell would be a unique backcourt for the Lakers, bringing a little mix of everything you want to see from two guards in your lineup.
The pair I really want to see work together is the one that includes Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle. Ingram has been on a tear as a member of the Pelicans over the last few seasons and has proven to be among the top isolation scorers out there. Julius Randle has had a rejuvenated 2022-23 campaign that has seen him average 25.2 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 4.1 APG. If that version of Randle is inserted into a lineup this talented, the Lakers are threats in the Western Conference.
Memphis Grizzlies
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Ja Morant, Kyle Lowry, Mike Conley, Kevin Love, Jaren Jackson Jr.
Another one of the top lineups in this entire list is the one boasted by the Memphis Grizzlies. You may take a look and see how small this lineup is with three point guards to start it off, but it will have a way better impact than initially thought. Ja Morant is a superstar shot creator and finisher. With Lowry and Conley sharing the floor, Morant can focus on that and leave the facilitating to them. The pressure off Morant will open up a ton for their offense which includes getting the others involved.
Kevin Love will find open shots from the outside, where he primarily shoots from these days anyways. The anchor in the middle of all of this is likely Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. His rim protection and overall interior defense will be key to getting out in open space in transition which is exactly where Morant can thrive. Memphis would take a run at the Conference Finals with this squad with the second round being a strong possibility.
Miami Heat
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Tyler Herro, Bojan Bogdanovic, Precious Achiuwa, Bam Adebayo, Bol Bol
To the fans of South Beach, I apologize, but the Miami Heat have not been great at selecting their draft picks over the years either, or have used them in deals for other talents. The stars of this show will be Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, who we have seen take the floor together for a few seasons in South Beach. We have also seen that lineup fail when these two are the primary go-to players with a subpar supporting cast which is exactly what this will be.
Bojan Bogdanovic does provide some firepower on the offensive side of the ball with his tough shot-making and 20.0 PPG average in 2022-23. Precious Achiuwa and Bol Bol, however, are young and underdeveloped bigs with little upside to grow in a lineup constructed in this way. At best, this lineup competes for a play-in spot. At worst, they are in line for the number one pick, so I guess it’s not all bad.
Milwaukee Bucks
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Kevin Porter Jr., Donte DiVincenzo, Malcolm Brogdon, Norman Powell, Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks find themselves in a bind with four guards added to their lineup along with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Now, there is no doubt in my mind that Giannis can carry a team like this and provide more than enough of what it takes to be successful on both ends of the court. My issue for Milwaukee lies in their size issues and the quality of guards that they have.
Kevin Porter Jr. is a streaky scorer and shooter who can be prone to costly turnovers during close games. Donte DiVincenzo is a solid defender as well and can shoot but is best in catch-and-situations. Brogdon and Powell are both talented shot-creators who can score in bunches but provide little to no help on the defensive end of the ball, especially when they have to deal with much bigger forwards in this case. Giannis will have his work cut out for him, but it is a playoff team if he is on the court regardless.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Anthony Edwards, Zach LaVine, Cameron Johnson, Lauri Markkanen, Karl-Anthony Towns
The amount of talent that the Minnesota Timberwolves lineup possesses here is worthy of a nod for championship contention. With Anthony Edwards and Zach LaVine, they have the potential to boast the highest-scoring backcourt in the entire NBA, considering both are exceptional at all three levels of offense. Cameron Johnson also provides a shooting aspect to the lineup they will need to take the pressure off of those two, with defenses having to respect Johnson’s games.
Currently, Lauri Markkanen is leading the race for the NBA’s Most Improved Player, and with this version of him, the Timberwolves are elite. A cause for concern will be the health and motivation of Karl-Anthony Towns. When healthy and invested, Towns is one of the three best centers in basketball. The entire success of this lineup will hinge on if he can adjust to this lineup better than he did to having Rudy Gobert in real life.
New Orleans Pelicans
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Chris Paul, Buddy Hield, Herb Jones, Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis
Another strong lineup presents itself in the form of the New Orleans pelicans’ all-time drafted lineup. This lineup packs a bit of everything needed to compete for an NBA championship in the modern-day NBA. Chris Paul, although past his prime, is still an effective and impactful playmaker and will be an asset to any lineup he is inserted to. Buddy Hield is one of the best three-point shooters in the game today when you factor in volume and efficiency but has improved his game to be a threat from all three levels as a scorer.
Herb Jones is an elite perimeter defender and can be tasked with taking on a team’s most lethal offensive player and slowing him down. The frontcourt for New Orleans will either be their saving grace or Achilles heel. Zion Williamson and Anthony Davis are two of the best players at their position in today’s game, and both are effective around the basket with Davis providing elite rim protection and interior defense to go with it. However, both have been plagued by injuries over the last two seasons, which have cost their respective teams chances at deep playoff runs. If hurt, this team goes nowhere. If healthy, they can win an NBA championship.
New York Knicks
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Obi Toppin, RJ Barrett, Tim Hardaway Jr., Kristaps Porzingis, Mitchell Robinson
Look away, Knicks fans. Everything that has made you contenders in 2022-23 is gone, and in return, old faces you would rather forget. Obi Toppin and RJ Barrett, as well as Mitchell Robinson, stick around to keep some of their core intact, but leaders Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle have moved on elsewhere. In their place, familiar New York ghosts of the past in Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr.
These days, Hardaway Jr. has remained the same with a bit more usage from his early New York days and does not move the needle for a team with championship aspirations. As for Porzingis, he seems revitalized in Washington and has returned to maximum production from the center spot. His weak-side defense will be interesting next to Robinson for the Knicks, but scoring and offensive production will be an issue on all fronts. The Knicks most likely watch the playoffs from home with this lineup in 2022-23.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Russell Westbrook, Immanuel Quickley, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Steven Adams
Now, we take a look at the team who has to be the odds-on favorite to win the NBA championship. The Oklahoma City Thunder missed their chance to cash in on a championship with the core of Durant, Westbrook, and Harden in their earlier years but would still have a big chance to make some noise if they played again today, barring injuries and other outliers.
Call me crazy, but I think Westbrook would thrive playing with Durant again, with a much more relaxed nature on the court and less pressure to make things happen offensively. Less pressure means fewer turnovers which would bode well for everyone with Oklahoma City. Harden could excel in the newfound playmaking-centric play that he has shown over the last two seasons. The X-factor in all of this will be young up-and-comer Immanuel Quickley, who has been a boost for the Knicks in 2022-23 with 13.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 3.2 APG.
Orlando Magic
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero, Aaron Gordon, Domantas Sabonis
The Orlando Magic have a sleeper team in this all-drafted scenario featuring an extremely underrated lineup. The backcourt of Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony will be their “weak point” with shot selection and turnovers being issues for both of these guards in their lineup. Although, adding the caliber of player that the rest of the lineup has will more than make up for it.
Paolo Banchero has had one of the more standout rookie seasons in recent memory averaging over 20.0 PPG for Orlando in 2022-23. Aaron Gordon has proven he can take a backseat and become an impactful second or third option on a championship-contending team, just as he has done in Denver with Jokic and Murray taking center stage. The player who gives them the biggest boost is Domantas Sabonis, who has proven that his all-around style of play will work anywhere he goes. As a rebounder and playmaker, Sabonis is as impactful as it gets in the NBA in 2022-23. The Magic would have the Conference Finals in their sights if these were the five that made up their lineup.
Philadelphia 76ers
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Jrue Holiday, Mikal Bridges, Jerami Grant, Nikola Vucevic, Joel Embiid
In terms of a complete lineup, the Philadelphia 76ers are up there with anyone for the best on the list. They have easily the best defensive backcourt of any team created today, with Jrue Holiday and Mikal Bridges teaming up. Both of them can also do their part on the offensive side of the ball as well but will not be under pressure by the way the rest of this lineup plays out.
Jerami Grant provides exceptional shot creation and finishing from the wing for the 76ers as well, but the real talent will be upfront for them. Nikola Vucevic and Joel Embiid present a world of challenges for opposing frontcourts as Embiid can dominate on both ends of the court, and Vucevic can be a key offensive weapon, especially if the focus is away from him. The 76ers can and will compete for a championship with this lineup.
Phoenix Suns
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Devin Booker, T.J. Warren, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Markieff Morris, Deandre Ayton
This Phoenix Suns lineup does not stand up well to the lineup they actually fielded in 2022-23. Without a playmaker like Chris Paul or a scorer like Kevin Durant, this lineup doesn’t instill nearly as much fear into opponents. They still have a talented and bright young star in Devin Booker, who will serve as the number one option for this Suns team but is that enough to compete in the playoffs?
The short answer is no, considering that Deandre Ayton will have to be the second option to Booker and has been streaky today, the least for Phoenix in his career so far. He can definitely help and is a double-double waiting to happen, but with the support of just Warren, Bogdanovic, and Morris, the Suns don’t seem to have the firepower to get past the second round of the NBA playoffs.
Portland Trail Blazers
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Isaiah Stewart
The Portland Trail Blazers run into similar issues they have run into for years, even in a restructuring of their lineup. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are already a backcourt we know can be successful together, with Lillard’s shooting and scoring outbursts still being at an elite level and McCollum tapping into his point guard bag successfully.
The problem lies in youngsters Shaedon Sharpe and Isaiah Stewart as their starting frontcourt. Neither are serious offensive threats but they can be physical enough to make an impact rebounding the ball and on defense. Anfernee Simons at small forward is interesting because he will score at will and create without issue but defensively will struggle against other elite players at the position. I believe the Trail Blazers are a playoff team but not past the first round.
Sacramento Kings
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Tyrese Haliburton, De’Aaron Fox, Gary Trent Jr., Marvin Bagley III, Zach Collins
The all-drafted lineup for the Sacramento Kings reunites one of the most promising backcourt duos we have had over the last 20 years. Tyrese Haliburton comes back to the Kings as one of the premier passers in the game as well as an efficient three-point shooter and scorer. De’Aaron Fox has developed into an All-Star since Haliburton’s departure, and the two together could make for some magic if they learn to work off one another.
The problems for the Kings will be from the rest of their lineup. Gary Trent Jr. provides some decent defense and scoring, but their frontcourt is depleted. Zach Collins and Bagley are both middle to lower-tier centers in the NBA right now and both are unproven as well as injury prone. As a team that is about to make the playoffs for the first time in 17 years, this is not the lineup they want to roll out on the court in any situation.
San Antonio Spurs
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Lonnie Walker, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson
There is good news and bad news for the San Antonio Spurs when we use their all-drafted lineup. The good news is that they are much better than they are right now in 2022-23 at the bottom of the Western Conference. The bad news is that they are a play-in team at best, considering we have seen them roll out this lineup before.
Each of these players for the Spurs has been improving their game over the last few seasons with Dejounte Murray emerging as the biggest star of the five. However, nothing has come to fruition out of their play, just as it did when they were all together on the Spurs. This team will compete and compete with even the toughest teams on this list but will not be spending any time in the playoffs at the season’s end.
Toronto Raptors
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: DeMar DeRozan, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, Jonas Valanciunas
With a restructured lineup, the Toronto Raptors are better here on paper than they are in 2022-23. This season, the Raptors have disappointed and look set to miss the playoffs despite high expectations. Adding DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas to their already great young core would do wonders for a team desperately seeking another shot-creator outside of Siakam and a legitimate big who can rebound and handle the paint.
Scottie Barnes has seemed to take well to the point forward position in his two seasons in the NBA, while Siakam has looked like an All-NBA talent for the third year in a row. OG Anunoby is one of the best defensive wings in basketball this year while also adding more to his offensive game than in years past. This Raptors squad would surely give the Eastern Conference a run for its money as an 82-game season rolls on.
Utah Jazz
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: Grayson Allen, Josh Hart, Gordon Hayward, Trey Lyles, Thomas Bryant
Let’s see Danny Ainge work his magic on this one. Ainge has made something out of nothing before, but improving a lineup that features Josh Hart as its best player just doesn’t seem feasible. Hart will provide solid two-way play for Utah, but the Jazz seem to be in the Wembanayama sweepstakes more than they will be in position for a playoff spot.
The Jazz lineup is just level below the rest of the NBA when it comes to their all-drafted lineups. Grayson Allen will be looked to take on a bigger role than ever before, and Gordon Hayward hasn’t been able to remain on the court consistently in years. Thomas Bryant and Trey Lyles aren’t bad by any means, but they sure aren’t enough to stand up to the rest of the NBA in this simulation.
Washington Wizards
Credit: Fadeaway World
Starting Lineup: John Wall, Bradley Beal, Jordan Clarkson, Deni Avdija, Rui Hachimura
The final team that we have reconfigured to feature all of their drafted players is the Washington Wizards. In its current form, this team will also be on the unfortunate end of things looking from the outside into the NBA playoffs. John Wall is simply not himself anymore after the injuries and is a much slower, less explosive player than during his All-Star days in Washington. Beal is still an explosive scorer and can be a team’s number-one option, but much like the rest of his career with the Wizards, he has no help.
Jordan Clarkson will take some of the scoring and creation pressure off Beal in this lineup, but again, it will not be enough to overcome their small frontcourt. Deni Avdija is having a decent season with Washington in 2022-23, but not good enough to feature him as a starting power forward. Hachimura is no longer with the Wizards and has found a nice role with the Lakers now, but even he cannot save the Wizards from impending doom in this simulation.
Source: fadeawayworld
