US media ranks new season starting lineups: 76ers lead with James acquisition, Rockets 9th, Lakers 16th

On July 26, Beijing time, for the 2026-27 season, multiple NBA teams will debut refreshed starting lineups. The 76ers' frontcourt welcomes two new All-Star starters: James and Brown. Can this lineup be considered the strongest five in the league? U.S. media Bleacher Report predicts and ranks the starting lineups of all 30 NBA teams as follows —

Positions 1-10: 1.76ers, 2.Thunder, 3.Knicks, 4.Pacers, 5.Nuggets, 6.Spurs, 7.Cavaliers, 8.Hawks, 9.Rockets, 10.Raptors;

Positions 11-20: 11.Celtics, 12.Timberwolves, 13.Pistons, 14.Heat, 15.Jazz, 16.Lakers, 17.Trail Blazers, 18.Magic, 19.Warriors, 20.Suns;

Positions 21-30: 21.Pelicans, 22.Wizards, 23.Mavericks, 24.Clippers, 25.Hornets, 26.Bulls, 27.Grizzlies, 28.Kings, 29.Nets, 30.Bucks.

Regarding the 76ers ranked first, Bleacher Report comments as follows —

Point Guard: Tyrese Maxey

Shooting Guard: V.J. Edgecombe

Small Forward: Jaylen Brown

Power Forward: LeBron James

Center: Joel Embiid

Acquiring Jaylen Brown via trade puts this Philadelphia 76ers starting lineup in the conversation for the strongest in the league. Adding James to replace Dean Wade at power forward is enough to lift the 76ers to the top of the rankings.

Admittedly, Embiid's knee injury concerns always exist; the perimeter shooting consistency of this five-man unit is questionable, and the team lacks elite defenders. However, this starting lineup collectively boasts 36 All-Star selections (James alone has 22), five regular-season MVPs, and five Finals MVPs, giving it extremely deep honorary credentials.

If James and Embiid miss games due to injury or rest, Maxey and Brown can each drop 30 points on any given night. Edgecombe has explosive physical talent and has the potential to develop into a perimeter stopper.

This starting lineup's offensive firepower is the best in the league and deserves to be ranked first.

Regarding the Rockets ranked 9th, Bleacher Report comments as follows —

Point Guard: Fred VanVleet

Shooting Guard: Amen Thompson

Small Forward: Kevin Durant

Power Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.

Center: Alperen Sengun

If VanVleet can return to his pre-ACL tear competitive level, the balance of the Houston Rockets' 2026-27 starting lineup will be greatly improved.

The Rockets previously tried to field extremely tall lineups, but the lack of a true point guard caused offensive stagnation, and the team needed more playmaking initiators and perimeter shooting.

The 32-year-old VanVleet needs to prove his health on the court to compete for the starting spot against Marcus Smart. If a star point guard becomes available on the trade market, the Rockets will also be a suitor worth watching.

Regarding the Lakers ranked 16th, Bleacher Report comments as follows —

Point Guard: Luka Doncic

Shooting Guard: Austin Reaves

Small Forward: Quentin Grimes

Power Forward: Sandro Mamukelashvili

Center: Walker Kessler

At the start of the 2026-27 season, the Los Angeles Lakers will likely debut a refreshed frontcourt combination.

The Lakers sent out two unprotected first-round picks, two first-round pick swaps, and signed the restricted free agent Kessler to a four-year, $130 million contract, so he is expected to occupy the starting center spot. If healthy, he is the ideal rim protector for this backcourt.

Mamukelashvili can also play backup center, but the four-year, $13 million annual salary makes this backup rather expensive. The Lakers will at least try to start him at power forward.

Grimes is undersized for a traditional small forward. However, this lineup can accommodate him because Doncic is better suited to defending perimeter players. Unless they trade for Kuminga, Grimes is the best option at that position compared to Laravia.