NBA Starting Lineup Power Rankings: The best and worst starting 5s — and what it means for your team in ’25-26

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Anyone can list the best players in the NBA, but basketball is as much about chemistry as it is talent. Within each of the league’s 30 teams is a hierarchy, and how well each of the five players on the court understands and performs his role within that hierarchy is every bit as important as his individual skill.

While depth was vital to the success of the Thunder and Pacers last season, and we understand coaches often say, “It’s about who closes the game; not who starts it,” the pursuit of a roster’s most cohesive five-man unit is still paramount. Three of last year’s top four starting lineups on our list — the Thunder, Knicks and Timberwolves — reached the conference finals.

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In this series, we rank each team’s starters for a broader look across the league. Ideally, a lineup has its superstar, a deferential co-star, a third star who owns his role, a fourth option and a fifth starter to tie it all together — clear Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. How close does your team come to an ideal lineup?

Welcome to the series finale, and what a show it will be.

By ranking all starters 1-30 in each role — as first, second, third, fourth and fifth options — we can now calculate each team’s average across the board and finally reveal our Starting Lineup Power Rankings …

(Tie goes to the team with the higher-ranked first option.)

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Average score: 2.4

What it means: They should be considerable favorites to repeat. And they are.

Average score: 3.6

What it means: If Jamal Murray is peak Jamal Murray, the Nuggets are right there with OKC.

Average score: 5.2

What it means: Solid across the board. And an improved bench should only help.

Average score: 5.2

What it means: Is De’Andre Hunter the answer they needed as a fifth starter?

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Average score: 7.8

What it means: The Magic are only limited by how far Paolo Banchero can carry them.

Average score: 9.6

What it means: Can Julius Randle stay consistent? And can Mike Conley stay young?

Average score: 9.6

What it means: One more wing, and they are in this thing. Jonathan Kuminga, anyone?

Average score: 9.8

What it means: Two-way role play would do wonders for their bottom line.

Average score: 11.6

What it means: Man, the Fred VanVleet injury is a bummer. Can Reed Sheppard fill the void?

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Average score: 12

What it means: Victor Wembanyama can be a rising tide that lifts all boats in San Antonio.

Average score: 12.4

What it means: Might John Collins make for a more impactful fifth starter?

Average score: 13.4

What it means: A leap from Jaden Ivey could push the Pistons into more serious contention.

Average score: 14.2

What it means: The wings will only improve, but can a contender count Trae Young as its No. 1?

Average score: 15.4

What it means: Is the whole less than the sum of its parts?

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Average score: 15.8

What it means: How soon does Cooper Flagg become a primary option?

Average score: 16.8

What it means: Searching for a bona fide No. 1 in the post-Jimmy Butler era.

Average score: 17

What it means: Not a bad player in the bunch. Not a great one, either.

Average score: 17.6

What it means: The whole at their center position is kind of a killer.

Average score: 18.8

What it means: They are, for better or worse, a team built on the knees of Joel Embiid.

Average score: 19.2

What it means: Jayson Tatum’s injury and the ensuing offseason upheaval shook their core.

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Average score: 19.6

What it means: The absences of Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner are easily apparent.

Average score: 19.8

What it means: Could have done worse in the Kevin Durant trade.

Average score: 20

What it means: Everything lies on those broad shoulders of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Average score: 20.6

What it means: So much potential. So many ifs. (Namely: Zion Williamson.)

Average score: 21.4

What it means: If only Scoot Henderson could claim his draft status as a No. 1 option.

Average score: 23.4

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What it means: Poor Isaac Okoro, last of the fifth starters.

Average score: 24

What it means: A lot of interchangeable parts in Utah, none of which are ideal.

Average score: 24.6

What it means: At least they have youth on their side.

Average score: 26.2

What it means: Woof.

Average score: 28

What it means: Somebody better pop.

Pretty good! If we juxtapose these rankings against BetMGM’s over/under totals, all but four teams are within four spots of those rankings. For example, the top four teams (Thunder, Nuggets, Knicks and Cavaliers) and bottom four teams (Jazz, Hornets, Nets and Wizards) are the same, according to both the Starting Lineup Power Rankings and BetMGM’s over/under totals, just in different orders. We’ll take it!

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The outliers? Well, the Starting Lineup Power Rankings did not like the Bucks as much as the oddsmakers, and there may be good reason for that. Look at that drop-off after Antetokounmpo. It is as stark as any team in the league, which is why we should all be wondering how long Antetokounmpo is for Milwaukee.

On the other hand, the Starting Lineup Power Rankings gave a little more love to the Spurs, Kings and Heat than BetMGM did. There are good reasons for that, too. I am higher on San Antonio’s youth — including Victor Wembanyama’s ceiling this season — than the oddsmakers. The Kings are more talented individually than they are as a team. And Miami might just end up being better than we think, as usual.

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We’ll see how it plays out. Maybe we hammer the under for the Bucks and the over for the Spurs, our two biggest outliers. This is what games are for. Thanks for taking the ride again. Let the season begin.

This news was originally published on this post .

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