Free agency has changed the landscape of the NBA and has impacted the who of the Basketball Business on a whole. Almost all of the teams have made their moves. Some are moving towards a rebuild, some towards making a super team. Loyal players leaving their clubs due to discontent, few joining teaming up with All-Stars to form a duo era and all the drama around it.
Let’s take a look at how the pieces have formed with the clubs let us note down the Top 5 Starter Teams in the NBA heading into 2019 – 2020 season.
5. Houston Rockets
Projected Starting Five:
Russell Westbrook
James Harden
Eric Gordan
James Harden
PJ Tucker
After a fallout with Chris Paul, Houston Rockets made their move and traded Russell Westbrook from the OKC Thunder to the Rockets and sending Paul to the Thunder reunited the old buddies again. After exiting the Final Round once again where the Rockets went down against the Golden State Warriors it was a move that they had to bring in. Is this the season where Rockets finally break the ceiling and go pass the Final Round of the Western Conference?
4. Milwaukee Bucks
Projected Starting Five
Eric Bledsoe
Khris Middleton
Sterling Brown
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Brook Lopez
The Bucks stuck back to 4 of the last seasons starting 5. The loss of Malcolm Brogdon will hurt as he was the most efficient 3PT shooter and also had above 90% FT range last season. They nearly came close to reach the NBA Finals, but Kawhi and the Toronto Raptors had some different plans and they lost 4 -2 where they had a 2 – 0 lead at the start. Giannis had his career-best season and is destined to perform better the next season.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
Projected Starting Five
Ben Simmons
Josh Richardson
Tobias Harris
Al Horford
Joel Embiid
One of the teams which were supposed to win it all last season. They lost out on a thriller against the winners the Toronto Raptors in Game 7 where Kawhi shot a series cinching bucket sending them out of the Playoffs. Losing out on JJ Reddick is a big loss, but bringing in Josh Richardson from the Heat and Al Horford from the Celtics are some big money moves made by the Philly’s. Horford is not only a great defender, but can also shoot an excellent 3PT shot when required. Harris, Simmons, and Richardson could form a great trio and form an excellent backcourt.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Projected Starting Five
LeBron James
Danny Green
Kyle Kuzma
Anthony Davis
DeMarcus Cousins
Lakers have picked up a huge chunk of players in Free Agency. Their dream of bringing in Kawhi to the squad remained unfinished as he went to the LA Clippers. However, getting almost a new 3 for the starting five is a great achievement for the Lakers. After Missing out on 6 -7 straight seasons without the playoffs, this could be a great opportunity to them to qualify for the playoffs and could even potentially win an NBA Ring. The frontcourt who has Anthony Davis and Demarcus Cousins, who already had experience of playing with each other at the Pelicans and could for a deadly defensive backcourt.
Los Angeles Clippers
Projected Starting Five
Patrick Beverly
Landry Shamet
Paul George
Kawhi Leonard
Montrezl Harrell
A shocker of a free agency it has been. The big man Jerry West played his cards and brought in the NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in a blockbuster deal to the Clippers. Raptors and Lakers were certain that they would get their player, but the NBA Fortunes changed overnight and the Clippers just became one of the favorites to win the Championship,
Just looking at the defense – Beverly – George – Leonard, it is certain that this could be one of the exciting team to watch along with a strong bench power.
