The lineups we’d like to see from every NBA team

Atlantic

Boston Celtics: Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Grant Williams, Robert Williams

Excluding Gordon Hayward was simply the cost of favoring youth over proven talent. This unit can run the floor, shoot at 4 positions, has two above-average playmakers in Walker and Grant Williams and has a defensive trio to bridge the gap from Walker to Robert Williams.

Brooklyn Nets: Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, Taurean Prince, Jarrett Allen

A common trend with this article will be having multiple ball-handlers in a quintet and Brooklyn has the ideal trio to experiment with such a lineup. Dinwiddie and LeVert ideally become better shooters to make this lineup breathable and Prince is perfect to be the fourth cog. Allen’s length, bounce and rim protection can only get better in year three.

New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina, RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson

The Knicks are going to stink, so they might as well embrace the youth. Barrett and Randle can share the playmaking load, Robinson can continue improving as a finisher and rim protector and Ntilikina gets a chance to build on his FIBA World Cup coming out party.

Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons, Zhaire Smith, Matisse Thybulle, Tobias Harris, Al Horford

We know Joel Embiid makes every lineup great; now it’s time to see what Simmons can do with wings who can shoot and a 3-and-D center. Smith, Thybulle and Simmons make for a pesky perimeter fortress and can turn deflections into easy transition baskets for days.

Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry, Norman Powell, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

Hollis-Jefferson moonlighted as a 5 in Brooklyn and will do it at times in Toronto too. This lineup embraces the idea of deploying lanky athletes who can shoot, a combination that smart teams look for. Siakam with a low-maintenance star like Lowry makes for an interesting synergy, as they build on their success from last year when Kawhi Leonard sat.