OG Anunoby remains famously unflappable. The player responsible for one of the most memorable moments in NBA Finals history and who led the Knicks to their first championship in over 50 years stays calm regardless of the situation. While relaxing in the offseason not long after celebrating the Knicks’ title parade, Anunoby was asked to assess Philadelphia’s revamped roster. Instead of boasting about New York’s reigning champion status or dismissing the Sixers as mere hopefuls, Anunoby simply shrugged it off. “Philadelphia? Oh, I think they’ll be good,” he said. “I think a lot of teams will be good.” Such unshaken composure is rare—Anunoby seems the type who’ll never need blood pressure meds.
While straightforward, Anunoby is not alone in predicting a competitive season with many strong teams. The Western Conference looks stacked again, and the East appears deeper and more competitive than usual. With the season fast approaching, it’s an excellent time to evaluate which teams might boast the strongest starting lineups. Excluding the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Raptors who receive honorable mentions, here are the top five projected starting fives for the 2026-27 season.
5. Denver Nuggets
Expected starters: Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokić
Last season the Nuggets battled injuries heavily—Braun missed 38 games and struggled statistically, Johnson played 28 games below expectations, and Aaron Gordon appeared just 36 times despite decent three-point shooting. Even Jokić, usually durable, only played 65 games, the fewest in his career. Despite this, Denver’s starting unit has much promise. Jokić finished runner-up for MVP, averaging nearly a 27.7-point triple-double on impressive shooting splits, while Murray had a career-best season and earned his first All-Star and All-NBA nods. Health is crucial if the Nuggets hope to challenge teams like the Thunder and Spurs. Also, Braun needs to justify his hefty $125 million contract, and Johnson must elevate his play. When fully available last season, Denver’s starters impressed with a remarkable +13.5 net rating.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
Expected starters: Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, Joel Embiid
This lineup looks loaded on paper, especially with offseason blockbuster trades bringing in Brown and LeBron James. However, it’s still largely speculative. Health and availability concerns loom large—James will be 42 in December and embarks on a record 24th NBA season, while Embiid’s durability remains a question after multiple injury-plagued years. Defensive cohesion, clutch shot-taking, and coach Nick Nurse’s management of talent and egos add further uncertainty. Still, GM Mike Gansey deserves credit for clever moves, swapping Paul George for Brown and signing LeBron for veteran minimum. This starting five could be Philly’s best since the era of Dr. J and Moses Malone that brought the 1983 title.
3. San Antonio Spurs
Expected starters: De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Tobias Harris, Victor Wembanyama
This lineup is more projection than certainty, especially regarding backcourt roles. Fox, despite a poor Finals showing including critical mistakes and poor shooting, is likely to retain the starting guard role due partly to his lucrative $221 million contract starting this season, making a bench role improbable. Rookie Dylan Harper, who outperformed Fox in the Finals, may see significant minutes but probably won’t start right away. Castle is an improving defender, Vassell is a solid two-way contributor, and Harris, recently signed from Detroit, provides a steady though unspectacular presence. Of course, everything hinges on Victor Wembanyama, the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year and youngest All-NBA and Finals participant ever. Wemby is already an MVP favorite, and the Spurs are seen as contenders for the championship.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Expected starters: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein
OKC boasts the two-time reigning MVP in Gilgeous-Alexander, a tough defender and elite scorer known for skillfully drawing fouls. Jalen Williams, after missing significant time last year due to injury, aims to return to his All-Star, All-NBA, and All-Defense form from two seasons ago. Rookie Cason Wallace will likely fill Lu Dort’s starting spot, offering lockdown defense, though there is flexibility to prioritize offense in some lineups. Oklahoma City often starts with the double-big pairing of Holmgren and Hartenstein, with Holmgren having finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting last year. Despite Holmgren’s playoff struggles versus Wembanyama, he remains among the league’s top frontcourt talents, having reportedly bulked up in the offseason. This starting five combines a wealth of talent few teams can match.
1. New York Knicks
Expected starters: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns
All doubts about this Knicks lineup vanished during a dominant postseason run where they dismantled opponents in spectacular fashion. After a first-round six-game win over Atlanta, New York swept both Philadelphia and Cleveland, then beat the Spurs in five convincing Finals games—featuring multiple thrilling comebacks. Bridges and Anunoby form one of the league’s premier two-way wing duos. Hart may be an inconsistent shooter but contributes in numerous other ways. Towns, who was briefly dangled in trade talks, thrived late in the season, even outperforming Wembanyama early in the Finals. Brunson, often underestimated, claimed the Finals MVP and silenced critics doubting his ability as a leading guard. With their first championship in 53 years, the Knicks hold the top spot until proven otherwise.
Fan Take:
This lineup analysis showcases the incredible talent and intrigue brewing around the NBA’s top teams as they gear up for a thrilling season. For basketball fans, it means unprecedented depth and competitiveness, promising captivating storylines and potentially historic campaigns that could redefine dynasties and rivalries across the league.
Source: www.cbssports.com
