NBA
The Best Starting Five and Full Depth Chart for Every NBA Team's Franchise History
Some NBA franchises can draw upon their depth of historical talent and put together a contender for the best starting lineup in league history. Others, primarily those that joined the Association at a more recent date, are left scraping together depth charts that have no hope of competing against those of the traditional powerhouses.
But everyone, whether it's the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics brimming over with Hall of Famers or the Toronto Raptors making the most of their recent success, has at least one five-man unit worthy of recognition.
To build both the best starting lineup and the ideal depth chart for each of the 30 organizations, we're turning to the total points added (TPA) metric I developed and helped popularize at NBA Math. TPA looks at both defensive and offensive effectiveness on a per-possession basis and then incorporates playing time into the equation such that a score of 0.0 represents league-average contributions and higher numbers are better.
For every team, we looked at the highest single-season TPAs (limit of one per player for each franchise, though the same player can appear on multiple depth charts) and categorized players at the positions at which they spent the most time during the season in question.
You'll see some surprises as we proceed alphabetically from the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards, but remember that subjectivity is, quite intentionally, not part of the process here. Disagreements are fine. Encouraged even. After all, this is intended, more than anything else, to be a celebration of myriad hyper-talented players throughout NBA history, some of whom may not have survived the final cuts.
Atlanta Hawks
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 1997 Mookie Blaylock 367.55 TPA | 1987 Doc Rivers 312.76 TPA | 2022 Trae Young 275.29 TPA |
SG | 2002 Jason Terry 181.9 TPA | 1974 Lou Hudson 172.88 TPA | 1998 Steve Smith 157.56 TPA |
SF | 1987 Dominique Wilkins 331.35 TPA | 1976 John Drew 248.95 TPA | 1959 Cliff Hagan 202.73 TPA |
PF | 1961 Bob Pettit 320.99 TPA | 2010 Josh Smith 271.88 TPA | 2016 Paul Millsap 221.95 TPA |
C | 2016 Al Horford 200.51 TPA | 1980 Tree Rollins 172.47 TPA | 1960 Clyde Lovellette 171.68 TPA |
Perhaps Trae Young will one day work his way into the starting lineup — or even the bench unit — at point guard. But for now, he's still looking up at Doc Rivers (yes, he used to be a player) and the ever-underrated Mookie Blaylock (who doesn't receive any credit for inspiring Mookie Betts' name).
Otherwise, the all-time starting five isn't flashy but is effective.
Dominique Wilkins provided plenty of memorable dunks during his time with the Hawks, but Bob Pettit and Al Horford were more productive and efficient than highlight-reel mainstays. Jason Terry, for all the aviation-inspired celebrations, wasn't exactly a nightly SportsCenter threat, either.
2022-23 Entries: None
Boston Celtics
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 2017 Isaiah Thomas 348.27 TPA | 2019 Kyrie Irving 325.14 TPA | 2010 Rajon Rondo 201.95 TPA |
SG | 1965 Sam Jones 235.03 TPA | 2009 Ray Allen 216.33 TPA | 2019 Frank Ramsey 208.15 TPA |
SF | 1985 Larry Bird 586.05 TPA | 2002 Paul Pierce 380.1 TPA | 2023 Jayson Tatum 308.34 TPA |
PF | 2008 Kevin Garnett 358.36 TPA | 1987 Kevin McHale 320.06 TPA | 1967 Bailey Howell 230.61 TPA |
C | 1964 Bill Russell 347.53 TPA | 1981 Robert Parish 258.52 TPA | 1952 Ed Macauley 253.39 TPA |
Unsurprisingly, the Boston Celtics' starting five — and the bench and third string, really — is loaded.
Bill Russell and Larry Bird are two of the 10 greatest players in NBA history, and peak Kevin Garnett was an otherworldly two-way force.
But the point guard rotation may be a head-scratcher.
Bob Cousy, Dennis Johnson, Rajon Rondo, Nate “Tiny” Archibald, K.C. Jones, and Jo Jo White are often featured as the greatest 1-guards in franchise history, but that's at least partially due to the lengths of their tenures. In a single-season setting like this one, Isaiah Thomas receives a ton of credit for a 2016-17 season in which he averaged 28.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 5.9 assists while slashing 46.3/37.9/90.9.
2022-23 Entries: Jayson Tatum
Brooklyn Nets
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 2003 Jason Kidd 374.37 TPA | 1985 Micheal Ray Richardson 267.62 TPA | 2021 Kyrie Irving 215.18 TPA |
SG | 2006 Vince Carter 271.28 TPA | 2003 Kerry Kittles 169.67 TPA | 1993 Drazen Petrovic 95.65 TPA |
SF | 2022 Kevin Durant 299.75 TPA | 1997 Kendall Gill 178.46 TPA | 2006 Richard Jefferson 176.82 TPA |
PF | 1994 Derrick Coleman 236.53 TPA | 1983 Buck Williams 127.79 TPA | 2004 Kenyon Martin 78.15 TPA |
C | 2023 Nic Claxton 144.18 TPA | 1986 Mike Gminski 136.07 TPA | 2013 Brook Lopez 133.54 TPA |
Shoutout to 2022-23 Nic Claxton for displacing Mike Gminski to become the starting center on the all-time depth chart, but that wasn't a particularly high bar to clear. Fortunately for the Brooklyn Nets, the path to the top is tougher at the other four positions.
Jason Kidd, one of the original triple-double machines, is the headliner of this roster, but Kevin Durant wasn't far behind during his brief tenure with the franchise.
The other bit of good news? A rebuilding Nets outfit has plenty of candidates — both on the roster and sure to be acquired in the near future — to take over other spots on the relatively lackluster depth chart.
2022-23 Entries: Nic Claxton
Charlotte Hornets
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 2019 Kemba Walker 248.46 TPA | 2002 Baron Davis 228.92 TPA | 2022 LaMelo Ball 176.6 TPA |
SG | 2000 Eddie Jones 266.82 TPA | 1995 Hersey Hawkins 128.55 TPA | 1994 Dell Curry 124.22 TPA |
SF | 2007 Gerald Wallace 185.67 TPA | 2008 Jason Richardson 181.04 TPA | 2001 Jamal Mashburn 116.91 TPA |
PF | 1997 Anthony Mason 196.3 TPA | 1996 Larry Johnson 176.35 TPA | 2016 Marvin Williams 120.72 TPA |
C | 1997 Vlade Divac 134.15 TPA | 2014 Al Jefferson 132.19 TPA | 2007 Emeka Okafor 92.93 TPA |
When the Charlotte Bobcats became the Charlotte Hornets on May 20, 2014, team officials announced they were also reclaiming the history, stats, and records from the earlier era that took place from 1988-2002, effectively taking them from the New Orleans Pelicans, who retroactively became a 2002 expansion team.
That's great news for the Hornets here since they can lay claim to three of five members of the starting five: Eddie Jones, Anthony Mason, and Vlade Divac. Plus, Larry Johnson, Hersey Hawkins, Baron Davis, Dell Curry, and Jamal Mashburn also make the cut.
Aside from Kemba Walker and LaMelo Ball, though, the most recent iterations of this organization haven't been particularly notable.
2022-23 Entries: None
Chicago Bulls
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 2011 Derrick Rose 386.94 TPA | 2007 Kirk Hinrich 153.76 TPA | 1996 Steve Kerr 123.09 TPA |
SG | 1988 Michael Jordan 850.73 TPA | 2017 Jimmy Butler 405.18 TPA | 1972 Chet Walker 298.07 TPA |
SF | 1995 Scottie Pippen 423.95 TPA | 1996 Toni Kukoc 218.79 TPA | 2007 Luol Deng 178.06 TPA |
PF | 1992 Horace Grant 296.4 TPA | 2015 Pau Gasol 226.24 TPA | 1969 Bob Boozer 170.02 TPA |
C | 1979 Artis Gilmore 285.98 TPA | 2014 Joakim Noah 276.97 TPA | 1974 Clifford Ray 175.43 TPA |
An MVP-winning Derrick Rose, a GOAT frontrunner in Michael Jordan, and one of NBA history's greatest second fiddles in Scottie Pippen make for a great foundation. But the Chicago Bulls are quite talented even beyond the leading triumvirate.
Artis Gilmore was a seven-foot menace, the bespectacled prime version of Horace Grant could have starred if handed his own roster, and the rest of the roster ain't bad.
DeMar DeRozan, Zach Lavine, Nikola Vucevic, and the rest of the present-day Bulls have the talent necessary to join the lineup, but that's a tall task given the many successful versions of the Windy City representatives.
2022-23 Entries: None
Cleveland Cavaliers
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 1996 Terrell Brandon 329.14 TPA | 1994 Mark Price 291.64 TPA | 2002 Andre Miller 227.83 TPA |
SG | 2023 Donovan Mitchell 300.62 | 1989 Ron Harper 270.73 TPA | 1998 Wesley Person 225.89 TPA |
SF | 2009 LeBron James 740.69 TPA | 1979 Campy Russell 98.87 TPA | 1996 Dan Majerle 76.94 TPA |
PF | 1992 Larry Nance 294.31 TPA | 2016 Kevin Love 155.2 TPA | 1976 Jim Brewer 116.02 TPA |
C | 1993 Brad Daugherty 259.45 TPA | 1992 Hot Rod Williams 171.9 TPA | 2022 Jarrett Allen 141.25 TPA |
How good was Donovan Mitchell during the 2022-23 season?
The 2-guard averaged 28.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while turning the ball over a career-low 2.6 times per contest. Pair that with remarkable scoring efficiency (48.4/38.6/86.7) while taking 9.3 triples and 5.4 free-throw attempts per game, and Mitchell had such a sterling combination of volume and efficiency that he posted the starting lineup's third-best score, behind only LeBron James and Terrell Brandon.
Larry Nance and Brad Daugherty (especially early in his career before back injuries took their toll) round out an impressive starting five, but this is all about laying claim to the peak version of James and surrounding him with upper-tier talent.
2022-23 Entries: Donovan Mitchell
Dallas Mavericks
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 2023 Luka Doncic 433.07 TPA | 1987 Derek Harper 276.98 TPA | 2003 Steve Nash 241.17 TPA |
SG | 2007 Jason Terry 212.16 TPA | 1998 Rolando Blackman 151.27 TPA | 2013 Vince Carter 122.85 TPA |
SF | 1984 Mark Aguirre 228.75 TPA | 1998 Michael Finley 153.34 TPA | 2007 Josh Howard 141.53 TPA |
PF | 2006 Dirk Nowitzki 462.86 TPA | 1990 Sam Perkins 94.01 TPA | 2010 Shawn Marion 86.21 TPA |
C | 2015 Tyson Chandler 117.69 TPA | 1987 James Donaldson 107.39 TPA | 2019 Dwight Powell 98.78 TPA |
Prior to the 2022-23 season, Luka Doncic ... was still the starting point guard, thanks to the 375.01 TPA he'd earned during the 2021-22 campaign. And prior to that, well, it was still Doncic with 354.85 TPA in 2019-20.
The do-everything 1-guard has clearly established himself as the best player at his position in franchise history — apologies to Derek Harper, Steve Nash, and Jason Kidd — but he's still fighting to catch the peak version of Dirk Nowitzki.
Now, if only Dallas could find a true game-changing talent at the 5.
2022-23 Entries: Luka Doncic
Denver Nuggets
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 1988 Fat Lever 346.82 TPA | 1991 Michael Adams 295.32 TPA | 2010 Chauncey Billups 182.76 TPA |
SG | 1978 David Thompson 329.19 TPA | 2008 Allen Iverson 193.04 TPA | 2013 Andre Iguodala 141.58 TPA |
SF | 1983 Alex English 322.13 TPA | 1992 Reggie Williams 171.21 TPA | 2006 Carmelo Anthony 150.65 TPA |
PF | 1977 Bobby Jones 382.56 TPA | 1984 Kiki Vandeweghe 228.89 TPA | 1985 Calvin Natt 191.81 TPA |
C | 2022 Nikola Jokic 691.15 TPA | 2007 Marcus Camby 222.11 TPA | 1980 Dan Issel 210.9 TPA |
Breaking news: Nikola Jokic, the best second-round pick in NBA history, is pretty good at this whole basketball thing. The Denver Nuggets center now has the four best single-season TPA scores in franchise history:
- 2021-22 Nikola Jokic: 691.15 TPA
- 2022-23 Nikola Jokic: 617.19 TPA
- 2020-21 Nikola Jokic: 605.91 TPA
- 2018-19 Nikola Jokic: 460.78 TPA
Fat Lever (underrated triple-double producer), Alex English (leading scorer of the '80s), Bobby Jones (tremendously overlooked defensive force), and David Thompson (relatively underrated Michael Jordan inspiration) fill out a strong starting five, but none have come within sniffing distance of peak Jokic.
Now, if Jamal Murray could put together a regular season on the same level as his postseason bursts of excellence...
2022-23 Entries: None
Detroit Pistons
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 1985 Isiah Thomas 424.05 TPA | 2008 Chauncey Billups 352.07 TPA | 1971 Dave Bing 158.63 TPA |
SG | 2001 Jerry Stackhouse 324.4 TPA | 1991 Joe Dumars 157.34 TPA | 2002 Jon Barry 144.17 TPA |
SF | 1997 Grant Hill 445.69 TPA | 1963 Bailey Howell 274.49 TPA | 1958 George Yardley 219.97 TPA |
PF | 2019 Blake Griffin 271.12 TPA | 2006 Rasheed Wallace 184.06 TPA | 1992 Dennis Rodman 175.23 TPA |
C | 1974 Bob Lanier 469.23 TPA | 1955 Larry Foust 264.46 TPA | 2002 Ben Wallace 242.77 TPA |
What makes the Detroit Pistons' starting five particularly fun is the era diversity. Each of the five players comes from a different decade. (To be fair, Joe Dumars and Ben Wallace don't get enough credit for their defensive contributions due to the limitations of the chosen metric.)
Throw in the backups and third-stringers, and seven different decades are represented in the depth chart: the '50s (Larry Foust, George Yardley), the '60s (Bailey Howell), the '70s (Bob Lanier, Dave Bing), the '80s (Isiah Thomas), the '90s (Grant Hill, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman), the '00s (Jerry Stackhouse, Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace, Jon Barry, Ben Wallace), and the '10s (Blake Griffin).
Will the 2020s eventually earn a spot? Cade Cunningham might have the best chance, though no player has hit triple digits during the in-progress decade.
2022-23 Entries: None
Golden State Warriors
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 2016 Stephen Curry 662.87 TPA | 1991 Tim Hardaway 305.46 TPA | 1987 Sleepy Floyd 279.28 TPA |
SG | 2015 Klay Thompson 221.31 TPA | 1997 Latrell Sprewell 174.77 TPA | 2006 Jason Richardson 173.6 TPA |
SF | 2017 Kevin Durant 381.11 TPA | 1975 Rick Barry 354.75 TPA | 1991 Chris Mullin 328.98 TPA |
PF | 2016 Draymond Green 316.06 TPA | 2013 David Lee 102.55 TPA | 1971 Jerry Lucas 99.07 TPA |
C | 1964 Wilt Chamberlain 613.2 TPA | 1954 Neil Johnston 314.32 TPA | 1994 Chris Webber 200.21 TPA |
If you need any more indication of the Golden State Warriors' dynastic status, look no further than the presences of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green in the starting lineup of a talent-laden depth chart.
Now, do yourself a favor and imagine the peak version of the modern-era Dubs operating with vintage Wilt Chamberlain at the pivot.
You're welcome for those thoughts of sheer basketball perfection.
(As an aside, good luck finding many better small forward rotations than Durant, Rick Barry, and Chris Mullin.)
2022-23 Entries: None
Houston Rockets
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 2001 Steve Francis 300.15 TPA | 2018 Chris Paul 261.51 TPA | 1991 Kenny Smith 160.51 TPA |
SG | 2019 James Harden 641.31 TPA | 1997 Clyde Drexler 211.03 TPA | 2011 Kevin Martin 169.62 TPA |
SF | 2005 Tracy McGrady 392.61 TPA | 1985 Rodney McCray 171.21 TPA | 1981 Robert Reid 128.63 TPA |
PF | 1974 Rudy Tomjanovich 229.56 TPA | 1997 Charles Barkley 217.59 TPA | 1996 Robert Horry 115.96 TPA |
C | 1993 Hakeem Olajuwon 473.51 TPA | 1982 Moses Malone 305.29 TPA | 2006 Yao Ming 156.56 TPA |
Memorable as Hakeem Olajuwon, Tracy McGrady, and James Harden may be, this starting five doesn't quite feature the star power of other jaw-droppingly talented quintets, such as the Golden State Warriors' starters. But that's all about perception.
The Bay Area's leading lineup has a combined TPA of 2,194.55. Houston's is only slightly behind at 2,037.14.
Steve Francis and Rudy Tomjanovich were just that good at their peaks with the Rockets.
2022-23 Entries: None
Indiana Pacers
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 2023 Tyrese Haliburton 285.55 TPA | 1992 Micheal Williams 207.78 TPA | 2013 George Hill 161.37 TPA |
SG | 1997 Reggie Miller 318.97 TPA | 2018 Victor Oladipo 294.26 TPA | 2008 Mike Dunleavy Jr. 102.42 TPA |
SF | 2016 Paul George 276.6 TPA | 2009 Danny Granger 234.02 TPA | 1977 Billy Knight 182.67 TPA |
PF | 1993 Detlef Schrempf 204.22 TPA | 2021 Domantas Sabonis 182.62 TPA | 2013 David West 177.06 TPA |
C | 2003 Brad Miller 129.25 TPA | 2019 Myles Turner 101.82 TPA | 1987 Steve Stipanovich 100.44 TPA |
A franchise that has been around as long as the Indiana Pacers should have a better all-time depth chart. But even with a history that dates back to 1976-77 (ABA contributions are not included), they only have one player who has peaked above 300 TPA: Reggie Miller.
For perspective, 103 different players in the NBA archives have submitted a combined 344 such seasons.
Tyrese Haliburton, fresh off the leading season by a Pacers point guard, has a chance to break past the seemingly unbreakable barrier. And then maybe Indiana can also improve its lagging scores at power forward and center.
2022-23 Entries: Tyrese Haliburton
Los Angeles Clippers
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 2015 Chris Paul 449.09 TPA | 1993 Mark Jackson 128.57 TPA | 1981 Brian Taylor 110.42 TPA |
SG | 1979 World B. Free 191.71 TPA | 2018 Lou Williams 129.72 TPA | 2005 Corey Maggette 109.07 TPA |
SF | 2020 Kawhi Leonard 345.87 TPA | 2001 Lamar Odom 210.56 TPA | 2019 Danilo Gallinari 192.39 TPA |
PF | 2006 Elton Brand 394.73 TPA | 2014 Blake Griffin 256.58 TPA | 1992 Danny Manning 249.01 TPA |
C | 1975 Bob McAdoo 373.86 TPA | 2017 DeAndre Jordan 173.99 TPA | 2019 Montrezl Harrell 150.23 TPA |
Despite the historical lack of team-based success — the Los Angeles Clippers/San Diego Clippers/Buffalo Braves have been to the conference finals just once but lost in six games to the 2021 Phoenix Suns — the franchise has boasted plenty of notable individual talents.
First came Bob McAdoo. Then Elton Brand. Then the Lob City trio of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and (to a far lesser extent) DeAndre Jordan. Then Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, though the latter hasn't yet stayed healthy enough to displace Danilo Gallinari as the third-string small forward.
Maybe that NBA Finals appearance will finally come. One day.
2022-23 Entries: None
Los Angeles Lakers
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 1990 Magic Johnson 592.97 TPA | 1966 Jerry West 380.64 TPA | 1979 Norm Nixon 152.09 TPA |
SG | 2006 Kobe Bryant 471.39 TPA | 1998 Eddie Jones 225.71 TPA | 1988 Byron Scott 212.8 TPA |
SF | 2020 LeBron James 407.16 TPA | 1961 Elgin Baylor 296.88 TPA | 1990 James Worthy 225.42 TPA |
PF | 2020 Anthony Davis 355.99 TPA | 2011 Pau Gasol 274.4 TPA | 1952 Vern Mikkelsen 236.58 TPA |
C | 1976 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 641.58 TPA | 2000 Shaquille O'Neal 569.26 TPA | 1973 Wilt Chamberlain 355.34 TPA |
Goodness gracious.
Anthony Davis is rather easily the worst member of the starting five, and he's still an MVP-caliber talent when healthy. But he pales in comparison to post-peak-athleticism LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
But that flat-out ridiculous starting five still might not be the best representation of the Purple and Gold's historic ability to attract and acquire superstars.
The second string, comprised of Jerry West, Eddie Jones, Elgin Baylor, Pau Gasol, and Shaquille O'Neal, features numerous inner-circle Hall of Famers and could go toe-to-toe with most franchises' opening lineups. Even a third string highlighted by James Worthy and Wilt Chamberlain would leave many other organizations envious.
2022-23 Entries: None
Memphis Grizzlies
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 2017 Mike Conley 298.98 TPA | 2022 Ja Morant 240.78 TPA | 2018 Tyreke Evans 140.12 TPA |
SG | 2022 Desmond Bane 132.57 TPA | 2006 Mike Miller 121.83 TPA | 2011 Tony Allen 100.93 TPA |
SF | 2004 James Posey 171.35 TPA | 2000 Shareef Abdur-Rahim 134.93 TPA | 2006 Shane Battier 130.83 TPA |
PF | 2006 Pau Gasol 313.68 TPA | 2011 Zach Randolph 136.87 TPA | 2021 Kyle Anderson 128.72 TPA |
C | 2013 Marc Gasol 264.51 TPA | 2021 Jonas Valanciunas 106.68 TPA | 2023 Jaren Jackson Jr. 101.63 TPA |
Jaren Jackson Jr., despite playing just 63 games, did enough in 2022-23 to join the fray — albeit as a third-stringer. Ja Morant (233.86) and Desmond Bane (131.84) came tantalizingly close to improving upon their own career-best marks, though suspensions and injuries, respectively, held them back.
As one of the NBA's most recent expansion franchises, the Memphis Grizzlies have a ton of room for growth throughout their depth chart. And given the talent on the current squad, this lineup will likely look quite a bit different in the relatively near future.
2022-23 Entries: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Miami Heat
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 1997 Tim Hardaway 356.09 TPA | 2005 Damon Jones 146.49 TPA | 2017 Goran Dragic 126.9 TPA |
SG | 2009 Dwyane Wade 602.32 TPA | 2002 Eddie Jones 222.12 TPA | 1994 Steve Smith 141.71 TPA |
SF | 2013 LeBron James 633.39 TPA | 2023 Jimmy Butler 373.18 TPA | 1995 Glen Rice 193.21 TPA |
PF | 2004 Lamar Odom 158.31 TPA | 2016 Chris Bosh 141.8 TPA | 2017 James Johnson 114.35 TPA |
C | 2000 Alonzo Mourning 269.87 TPA | 2005 Shaquille O'Neal 248.69 TPA | 2021 Bam Adebayo 209.57 TPA |
Even without the benefit of a magical playoff run — regular-season numbers, much as is the case with career leaderboards for NBA statistics, are all that matter here — Jimmy Butler surged ahead of every small forward in Miami Heat history, save one.
Of course, that one is LeBron James, operating at the peak of his powers alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to win back-to-back championships. Try not to hold that against Butler.
Joining James in the starting five? Tim Hardaway's killer crossover, Lamar Odom's point-forward skills, Alonzo Mourning's physicality, and Wade's all-around game. It's already a loaded lineup for one of the NBA's youngest franchises, and Bam Adebayo might have some future plans for changes to the leading quintet.
2022-23 Entries: Jimmy Butler
Milwaukee Bucks
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 1994 Eric Murdock 193.67 TPA | 1971 Oscar Robertson 173.79 TPA | 2019 Eric Bledsoe 150.38 TPA |
SG | 1986 Paul Pressey 325.02 TPA | 2001 Ray Allen 324.57 TPA | 1983 Sidney Moncrief 310.06 TPA |
SF | 1979 Marques Johnson 314.46 TPA | 2020 Khris Middleton 165.77 TPA | 1976 Bob Dandridge 142.32 TPA |
PF | 2019 Giannis Antetokounmpo 523.51 TPA | 1985 Terry Cummings 242.31 TPA | 1997 Vin Baker 117.92 TPA |
C | 1972 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 623.54 TPA | 1989 Jack Sikma 152.59 TPA | 1981 Bob Lanier 146.48 TPA |
Seeing Eric Murdock over Oscar Robertson might be a shock, especially because The Big O paired up with starting center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to win the first title in Milwaukee Bucks history. It's a natural reaction.
But don't forget that Robertson was 32 during his first Brewtown season — or that Murdock capitalized on the shortened three-point arc to average 15.3 points and 6.7 assists on 46.8/41.1/81.3 shooting during the 1993-94 campaign.
In many other places, the Bucks' depth chart is a collection of underrated talents whose legacies shouldn't be lost to the passage of time. Peak-athleticism Ray Allen, “point forward” term-coiner Marques Johnson, two-way maestro Sidney Moncrief, and more all deserve their flowers.
2022-23 Entries: None
Minnesota Timberwolves
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 2004 Sam Cassell 231.21 TPA | 2000 Terrell Brandon 207.5 TPA | 1993 Micheal Williams 134.99 TPA |
SG | 2018 Jimmy Butler 246.08 TPA | 2005 Fred Hoiberg 95.9 TPA | 2022 Anthony Edwards 62.21 TPA |
SF | 2013 Andrei Kirilenko 140.12 TPA | 2002 Wally Szczerbiak 83.36 TPA | 1991 Tyrone Corbin 54.81 TPA |
PF | 2004 Kevin Garnett 601.04 TPA | 2014 Kevin Love 503.91 TPA | 2023 Kyle Anderson 102.95 TPA |
C | 2019 Karl-Anthony Towns 318.12 TPA | 2009 Al Jefferson 91.53 TPA | 1997 Dean Garrett 31.07 TPA |
Kyle Anderson averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while slashing 50.9/41.0/73.5 during a quietly effective season for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2022-23, also overcoming his velocity limitations to play effective and versatile defense. But it's probably not a good sign for the franchise's health when that makes the cut on an all-time depth chart.
Kevin Garnett and Kevin Love are doing a lot of heavy lifting here, though that might change as Anthony Edwards continues morphing into a full-fledged star capable of displacing Jimmy Butler from the starting five.
Butler, KG, and Andrei Kirilenko give this lineup plenty of defensive juice, but we're otherwise left stretching for compliments.
2022-23 Entries: Kyle Anderson
New Orleans Pelicans
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 2009 Chris Paul 599.77 TPA | 2004 Baron Davis 258.76 TPA | 2019 Jrue Holiday 155.19 TPA |
SG | 2015 Tyreke Evans 61.67 TPA | 2003 David Wesley 55.41 TPA | 2023 CJ McCollum 43.76 TPA |
SF | 2003 Jamal Mashburn 136.58 TPA | 2021 Brandon Ingram 97.01 TPA | 2023 Trey Murphy III 90.98 TPA |
PF | 2015 Anthony Davis 413.85 TPA | 2021 Zion Williamson 245.31 TPA | 2011 David West 126.26 TPA |
C | 2018 DeMarcus Cousins 169.3 TPA | 2022 Jonas Valanciunas 86.18 TPA | 2005 Chris Andersen 41.17 TPA |
CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy III both gained entry to the depth chart as third-stringers in 2022-23, and they should both have opportunities to ascend even higher as this team continues to progress.
And they're not alone.
If Zion Williamson can get and stay healthy, he's capable of challenging Anthony Davis for the highest score in franchise history. Brandon Ingram can keep improving, as well.
The Pelicans don't have a lengthy history from which they can draw, but at least many members of the current iteration are starting to make their presence felt in some capacity.
2022-23 Entries: CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III
New York Knicks
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 1970 Walt Frazier 287.04 TPA | 2005 Stephon Marbury 261.28 TPA | 1980 Ray Williams 228.81 TPA |
SG | 1981 Micheal Ray Richardson 217.87 TPA | 1962 Richie Guerin 169.85 TPA | 1993 John Starks 140.52 TPA |
SF | 2014 Carmelo Anthony 281.41 TPA | 1984 Bernard King 242.25 TPA | 1953 Ernie Vandeweghe 84.96 TPA |
PF | 1959 Kenny Sears 293.87 TPA | 2023 Julius Randle 204.86 TPA | 1953 Harry Gallatin 173.45 TPA |
C | 1990 Patrick Ewing 353.75 TPA | 1970 Willis Reed 268.69 TPA | 1978 Bob McAdoo 218.01 TPA |
Putrid playoff performance notwithstanding, Julius Randle enjoyed a fantastic year for the New York Knicks. His stock seemed to be heading down after his star turn in 2020-21, but he bounced back to average a 25-point double-double and make the All-NBA Third Team.
Otherwise, it's hard to find much modern representation here. In fact, the five most recent entries are as follows:
- 2022-23 Julius Randle (backup power forward)
- 2013-14 Carmelo Anthony (starting small forward)
- 2004-05 Stephon Marbury (backup point guard)
- 1992-93 John Starks (third-string shooting guard)
- 1989-90 Patrick Ewing (starting center)
That's, uh, not ideal for a franchise typically portrayed as one of the Association's bigger draws.
2022-23 Entries: Julius Randle
Oklahoma City Thunder
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 2017 Russell Westbrook 630.91 TPA | 2000 Gary Payton 432.24 TPA | 2023 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 371.47 TPA |
SG | 2002 Brent Barry 302.54 TPA | 2006 Ray Allen 256.1 TPA | 1997 Hersey Hawkins 216.2 TPA |
SF | 2014 Kevin Durant 631.14 TPA | 2019 Paul George 436.09 TPA | 1995 Detlef Schrempf 252.52 TPA |
PF | 1994 Shawn Kemp 224.3 TPA | 1974 Spencer Haywood 168.02 TPA | 2020 Danilo Gallinari 121.49 TPA |
C | 1982 Jack Sikma 245.53 TPA | 1995 Sam Perkins 136.03 TPA | 2020 Steven Adams 102.96 TPA |
Let's get the elephant in the room out of the way: Yes, the Seattle SuperSonics' history remains absorbed into the archives of the Oklahoma City Thunder, even if the way the franchise changed locations — looking at you, Clay Bennett — was quite unfortunate.
That gives this depth chart a lot more juice, but plenty of Thunder players have joined the fray. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are headliners in the starting five, Paul George is a high-scoring backup, and Danilo Gallinari, Steven Adams, and the breakout 2022-23 version of Shai Gilgeous Alexander round out the roster.
The best from SGA might be yet to come, too.
2022-23 Entries: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Orlando Magic
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 1996 Anfernee Hardaway 413.99 TPA | 2000 Darrell Armstrong 235.3 TPA | 2009 Jameer Nelson 127.5 TPA |
SG | 2003 Tracy McGrady 600.78 TPA | 1995 Nick Anderson 209.49 TPA | 2010 Vince Carter 88.19 TPA |
SF | 2008 Hedo Turkoglu 158.86 TPA | 1996 Dennis Scott 134.48 TPA | 2005 Grant Hill 115.13 TPA |
PF | 2000 Bo Outlaw 208.71 TPA | 2009 Rashard Lewis 202.29 TPA | 2012 Ryan Anderson 150.12 TPA |
C | 1994 Shaquille O'Neal 434.02 TPA | 2019 Nikola Vucevic 341.92 TPA | 2011 Dwight Howard 292.82 TPA |
Are you flabbergasted that Dwight Howard is only the third-string center? Because we're flabbergasted, dumbfounded, befuddled, and [insert fun synonym here].
In all likelihood, the TPA metric is underselling his defense, though it's not like 2018-19 Nikola Vucevic was too shabby while averaging 20.8 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists to make the All-Star roster and end a six-year playoff drought.
With Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, Tracy McGrady, and Shaquille O'Neal in the starting lineup, this squad is all sorts of fun. But it's still a bit lackluster, which won't change until the current youngsters hit their strides and make some noise.
Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, and Paolo Banchero all have the upside necessary to provide those decibels sooner than later.
2022-23 Entries: None
Philadelphia 76ers
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 1995 Dana Barros 307.97 TPA | 2018 Ben Simmons 252.72 TPA | 1983 Maurice Cheeks 245.41 TPA |
SG | 2001 Allen Iverson 341.73 TPA | 2023 James Harden 232.74 TPA | 1991 Hersey Hawkins 203.48 TPA |
SF | 1981 Julius Erving 461.43 TPA | 2008 Andre Iguodala 242.36 TPA | 1967 Chet Walker 145.39 TPA |
PF | 1990 Charles Barkley 507.31 TPA | 1958 Dolph Schayes 262.7 TPA | 1976 George McGinnis 209.64 TPA |
C | 1967 Wilt Chamberlain 527.95 TPA | 2022 Joel Embiid 423.53 TPA | 1983 Moses Malone 231.7 TPA |
Dear Philadelphia 76ers fans: If you're reading this before scanning through the depth chart, we recommend that you avoid looking at the backup point guard spot. You're welcome in advance.
The rest of the roster is a blast. Allen Iverson, Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, and Wilt Chamberlain give the Sixers a ridiculous amount of star power, and that extends to the bench with James Harden, prime Andre Iguodala, Joel Embiid, Maurice Cheeks, and Moses Malone.
History aficionados should also appreciate Dolph Schayes, and we can't forget about Dana Barros capitalizing on the shortened three-point arc to knock down 46.4% of his 5.2 triples per game and have an out-of-nowhere 20.6-points-per-game season that yielded his only career All-Star appearance.
2022-23 Entries: James Harden
Phoenix Suns
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 1991 Kevin Johnson 383.65 TPA | 2007 Steve Nash 316.03 TPA | 2001 Jason Kidd 241.68 TPA |
SG | 1992 Jeff Hornacek 272.39 TPA | 1978 Paul Westphal 270.63 TPA | 1979 Walter Davis 230.91 TPA |
SF | 2003 Shawn Marion 357.84 TPA | 1992 Dan Majerle 211.73 TPA | 2021 Mikal Bridges 156.03 TPA |
PF | 1993 Charles Barkley 456.01 TPA | 1987 Larry Nance 271.73 TPA | 2008 Amar'e Stoudemire 258.21 TPA |
C | 1976 Alvan Adams 255.44 TPA | 1994 Oliver Miller 166.17 TPA | 1974 Neal Walk 116.76 TPA |
The point guard rotation here is just otherworldly, with two-time MVP Steve Nash and triple-double machine Jason Kidd backing up peak Kevin Johnson and his dunk-over-anyone athleticism. The rest of the depth chart may not match other historic franchises from a star power perspective, but the basketball talent is undeniable.
However, there's a head-scratcher.
Where is Devin Booker?
Booker was absurdly good during the 2023 postseason, producing just shy of 100 TPA in only 11 appearances. Based on that level of play, his 82-game pace would have him at a staggering 744.5 TPA — easily the best mark in Phoenix Suns history.
But Booker's defensive limitations and undulating efficiency have held him back during the regular season, and his career-best mark remains 199.9 (set in 2021-22).
2022-23 Entries: None
Portland Trail Blazers
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 1991 Terry Porter 410.86 TPA | 2018 Damian Lillard 391.52 TPA | 1997 Kenny Anderson 255.3 TPA |
SG | 1992 Clyde Drexler 491.43 TPA | 2009 Brandon Roy 319.38 TPA | 1983 Jim Paxson 178.61 TPA |
SF | 2014 Nicolas Batum 197.27 TPA | 2000 Scottie Pippen 183.56 TPA | 1978 Bob Gross 149.21 TPA |
PF | 2001 Rasheed Wallace 238.9 TPA | 1995 Clifford Robinson 186.19 TPA | 1975 Sidney Wicks 151.87 TPA |
C | 1978 Bill Walton 336.03 TPA | 1996 Arvydas Sabonis 218.93 TPA | 1979 Tom Owens 168.59 TPA |
Let's take a step back and highlight what Damian Lillard, fueled by his disdain for ring culture, has done for the Portland Trail Blazers. He may not have the single-season mark at point guard because Terry Porter was simply sensational at the peak of his powers, but his name shows up rather frequently in the overall list of top seasons:
- 1991-92 Clyde Drexler: 491.43 TPA
- 1987-88 Clyde Drexler: 467.04 TPA
- 1988-89 Clyde Drexler: 429.61 TPA
- 1989-90 Clyde Drexler: 414.97 TPA
- 1990-91 Terry Porter: 410.86 TPA
- 1990-91 Clyde Drexler: 409.95 TPA
- 2017-18 Damian Lillard: 391.52 TPA
- 2019-20 Damian Lillard: 385.03 TPA
- 2018-19 Damian Lillard: 369.49 TPA
- 1989-90 Terry Porter: 342.2 TPA
- 1977-78 Bill Walton: 336.03 TPA
- 1976-77 Bill Walton: 333.81 TPA
- 1986-87 Clyde Drexler: 331.84 TPA
- 2008-09 Brandon Roy: 319.38 TPA
- 2022-23 Damian Lillard: 307.29 TPA
- 2020-21 Damian Lillard: 306.09 TPA
- 2016-17 Damian Lillard: 272.58 TPA
- 2014-15 Damian Lillard: 263.7 TPA
- 1996-97 Kenny Anderson: 255.3 TPA
- 1985-86 Clyde Drexler: 239.77 TPA
For those keeping track at home, that gives Lillard seven of the top 20 single-season marks. And if we look at things from a career perspective, his 2,761.63 lifetime TPA leaves him behind only Clyde Drexler (3,579.93) and well ahead of Porter (1,698.97), Arvydas Sabonis (931.55), and everyone else in Rip City history.
2022-23 Entries: None
Sacramento Kings
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 1964 Oscar Robertson 466.88 TPA | 1973 Tiny Archibald 193.49 TPA | 1977 Brian Taylor 163.77 TPA |
SG | 1997 Mitch Richmond 273.25 TPA | 1983 Mike Woodson 182.19 TPA | 2003 Doug Christie 168.84 TPA |
SF | 2004 Peja Stojakovic 247.78 TPA | 1958 Jack Twyman 153.42 TPA | 2007 Metta World Peace 145.09 TPA |
PF | 2000 Chris Webber 337.05 TPA | 1964 Jerry Lucas 182.12 TPA | 1971 Johnny Green 171.31 TPA |
C | 2023 Domantas Sabonis 337.31 TPA | 2014 DeMarcus Cousins 233.53 TPA | 1979 Sam Lacey 225.31 TPA |
Though the roster's depth isn't as impressive as expected from a franchise that has been around since its days as the Rochester Royals during the 1948-49 BAA season, the Sacramento Kings' starting five is eminently respectable.
Oscar Robertson and Mitch Richmond form a strong starting backcourt, Peja Stojakovic and Chris Webber are offensive explosions waiting to happen at the forward spots, and Domantas Sabonis rounds it out after his sterling 2022-23 efforts.
Plus, reinforcements might be coming after a 2022-23 season that saw the Kings end a playoff drought dating all the way back to a first-round loss in the 2006 postseason. De'Aaron Fox and Keegan Murray both seem like locks to have the true breakout seasons required to displace Brian Taylor and Metta World Peace, respectively.
2022-23 Entries: Domantas Sabonis
San Antonio Spurs
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 2022 Dejounte Murray 266.18 TPA | 1985 Johnny Moore 207.76 TPA | 2009 Tony Parker 163.02 TPA |
SG | 2008 Manu Ginobili 350.67 TPA | 1978 George Gervin 311.41 TPA | 1986 Alvin Robertson 294.55 TPA |
SF | 2017 Kawhi Leonard 449.36 TPA | 2021 DeMar DeRozan 131.41 TPA | 2018 Kyle Anderson 110.89 TPA |
PF | 2002 Tim Duncan 471.58 TPA | 1977 Larry Kenon 164.82 TPA | 1983 Gene Banks 100.19 TPA |
C | 1994 David Robinson 719.23 TPA | 2018 LaMarcus Aldridge 194.07 TPA | 1983 Artis Gilmore 174.31 TPA |
This is what happens when you're the NBA's model franchise for a multi-decade stretch.
David Robinson, one of the most devastatingly effective two-way big men in the sport's history, leads the charge alongside Tim Duncan, who may not have the same level of single-season prowess but is a frequent presence in all-time top-10 lists. Peak-of-his-powers Kawhi Leonard and a Eurostepping Manu Ginobili join them, and Dejounte Murray was pretty darn good before moving on to the Atlanta Hawks.
Sure, the San Antonio Spurs might not have particularly notable depth. Nor do they have many candidates to displace the legends who proceeded them — at least until Victor Wembanyama hits his stride.
But that Robinson-Duncan-Leonard-Ginobili quartet basically serves as a depth chart panacea.
2022-23 Entries: None
Toronto Raptors
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 2016 Kyle Lowry 318.8 TPA | 2008 Jose Calderon 209.67 TPA | 2022 Fred VanVleet 177.26 TPA |
SG | 2001 Vince Carter 434.28 TPA | 2017 DeMar DeRozan 161.29 TPA | 2015 Lou Williams 102.06 TPA |
SF | 2019 Kawhi Leonard 305.66 TPA | 2000 Tracy McGrady 165.19 TPA | 2008 Jamario Moon 75.76 TPA |
PF | 2022 Pascal Siakam 180.46 TPA | 2005 Donyell Marshall 155.53 TPA | 2015 Patrick Patterson 104.04 TPA |
C | 2008 Chris Bosh 200.14 TPA | 2021 Chris Boucher 98.73 TPA | 2018 Jonas Valanciunas 84.1 TPA |
Considering the Toronto Raptors have only existed since 1995-96, this depth chart could be a lot worse.
Kyle Lowry, Vince Carter, Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam, and Chris Bosh were all All-NBA-caliber players during their peak years north of the border, and the bench lineup has some injections of talent in the form of DeMar DeRozan and Tracy McGrady.
For the sake of comparison, the Memphis Grizzlies (then located in Vancouver) entered the league simultaneously. Their all-time depth chart has 1,181.09 TPA in the starting lineup, 741.09 on the second unit, and 602.23 from the third stringers, adding up to a total of 2,524.41.
Those respective numbers stand at 1,439.4 (higher), 790.41 (higher), 543.22 (lower), and 2,773.03 (higher) for the Raptors.
2022-23 Entries: None
Utah Jazz
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 1989 John Stockton 533.12 TPA | 2008 Deron Williams 227.04 TPA | 1984 Rickey Green 180.0 TPA |
SG | 1996 Jeff Hornacek 208.17 TPA | 2022 Donovan Mitchell 197.11 TPA | 2008 Ronnie Brewer 152.73 TPA |
SF | 2004 Andrei Kirilenko 409.53 TPA | 1981 Adrian Dantley 301.06 TPA | 2017 Gordon Hayward 244.38 TPA |
PF | 1997 Karl Malone 465.19 TPA | 2007 Carlos Boozer 224.26 TPA | 2023 Lauri Markkanen 185.61 TPA |
C | 2019 Rudy Gobert 293.42 TPA | 1979 Rich Kelley 175.23 TPA | 2012 Al Jefferson 146.03 TPA |
Making the Utah Jazz's all-time depth chart is a difficult endeavor, but Lauri Markkanen accomplished exactly that during an out-of-nowhere surge to prominence in 2022-23. For perspective, his career-high TPA was 11.28 for the Cleveland Cavaliers during the prior season.
Otherwise, the inclusions are fairly obvious, particularly in the starting lineup. The pick-and-roll combination of John Stockton and Karl Malone was always going to lead the charge, and Rudy Gobert's defensive excellence during his Salt Lake City tenure put him in lock territory. (Though speaking of centers, Mark Eaton failing to make the cut is a bit of a surprise until you remember just how much of an offensive non-factor he was.)
Throw in the sharp-shooting prowess of Jeff Hornacek and the defensive versatility of Andrei Kirilenko, and you have a potent unit that would be quite impractical to score against.
2022-23 Entries: Lauri Markkanen
Washington Wizards
Position | Starter | Bench | Depth |
PG | 2006 Gilbert Arenas 351.39 TPA | 2017 John Wall 270.36 TPA | 2021 Russell Westbrook 188.94 TPA |
SG | 2005 Larry Hughes 195.31 TPA | 2019 Bradley Beal 192.94 TPA | 1975 Phil Chenier 181.96 TPA |
SF | 1989 John Williams 230.83 TPA | 1982 Greg Ballard 193.1 TPA | 1964 Terry Dischinger 179.8 TPA |
PF | 1997 Chris Webber 283.86 TPA | 1975 Elvin Hayes 250.1 TPA | 1965 Bailey Howell 141.62 TPA |
C | 1962 Walt Bellamy 335.13 TPA | 1975 Wes Unseld 253.75 TPA | 2023 Kristaps Porzingis 197.25 TPA |
Is it a good thing or a bad thing that the Washington Wizards — a franchise that dates back to 1961-62, when it existed as the Chicago Packers — has so many recent inclusions?
On one hand, the Wizards have found upper-tier talents in the last decade.
Larry Hughes and Gilbert Arenas are both in the starting lineup alongside John Williams, Chris Webber, and Welt Bellamy. Bradley Beal and John Wall both populate the second-string backcourt, and the former might displace Hughes if he could stay healthy for a full season (and/or not get shut down for maintenance at the end of a campaign). Russell Westbrook and, most recently, Kristaps Porzingis fill out the end of the bench.
On the other hand, that's six of 15 roster slots dedicated to players who have suited up for Washington during a stretch in which it has won just three playoff series, no two of which came during the same postseason.
2022-23 Entries: Kristaps Porzingis
TPA data provided by Sports Math Network