While the 2025-26 NBA season is just weeks away, the starting lineups for several teams remain unclear. The following players will compete to earn a spot in the first unit.
While the 2025-26 NBA season is just weeks away, the starting lineups for several teams remain unclear. The following players will compete to earn a spot in the first unit.
Kristaps Porzingis vs Onyeka Okongwu
Atlanta Hawks
Clint Capela signed with the Rockets over the offseason, solidifying Onyeka Okongwu’s long-awaited starting spot on the Hawks. However, that was short-lived, as Atlanta acquired Kristaps Porzingis shortly after. The former Celtic is the likely starter thanks to his strong scoring, rebounding, shot-blocking, and efficiency.
However, he has a lengthy injury history and has only played 60+ games once in the past seven years. The team’s careful management of Porzingis should give Okongwu plenty of chances to join the first unit and return top 100 value.
Payton Pritchard vs Anfernee Simons
Boston Celtics
The Celtics’ roster is looking very different heading into 2025-26 and features multiple position battles. One of the most notable ones is in the backcourt between Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons. The 2025 6MOTY is fresh off a breakout season and has proved that he can handle more responsibilities, averaging 17.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 33 games where he played between 30-40 minutes last season.
Meanwhile, new addition Anfernee Simons is great offensively, but doesn’t offer much on the other end. His future with the team is also uncertain. Pritchard has the edge to start, but whoever comes off the bench will still have a significant workload.
Neemias Queta vs Luke Garza
Boston Celtics
The loss of Porzingis and Al Horford leaves Boston with a gaping hole at center. Their options are Neemias Queta and Luke Garza. Both lack experience, having started under 10 games across their young careers. Still, this is a significant developmental opportunity for them.
Queta is projected to get the promotion, thanks to his strong play in EuroBasket and defensive upside. That makes him worthy of being a late-round flier. He’ll face competition from Garza, who impressed during his college days and has shown his ability to score and rebound. Chris Boucher is also a candidate to start at center, but he could spend more time at the four instead.
Sam Hauser vs Chris Boucher
Boston Celtics
The Celtics’ power forward position also looks murky as Sam Hauser and Chris Boucher battle it out. The team has plenty of scoring options but are vulnerable defensively and on the glass. Hauser is the better offensive player thanks to his 3-point shot, while Boucher is more defensive-minded.
Spacing becomes a concern if Boucher starts, but that would give the team much-needed size.
Jay Huff vs Isaiah Jackson
Indiana Pacers
Myles Turner found a new home with the Bucks, so the Pacers got big man insurance by acquiring Jay Huff. It’s between him and Isaiah Jackson for the starting center role. The undrafted 27-year-old turned heads with the Grizzlies last season, flashing his shot-blocking, three-point shooting, and efficiency. Huff could start initially, especially as Jackson may need more time to recover from his Achilles tear.
Isaiah has spent all four years with Indiana, contributing some points, rebounds, and blocks, boasting an impressive career block average of 1.3 across 15 MPG.
Kevin Porter Jr. vs Cole Anthony
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks shockingly waived Damian Lillard over the offseason, leaving a big question mark at point guard. Kevin Porter Jr. is expected to replace him, given that he was a solid starter for the Rockets a few years ago and thrived in that role. In 2022-23, he was a top-60 player in category leagues, thanks to his scoring, playmaking, three-point shooting, rebounding, and steals.
However, the Bucks also landed Cole Anthony in free agency. He is a streaky player, but posts solid value in multiple areas when things are clicking.
Yves Missi vs Derik Queen vs Kevon Looney
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans selected Derik Queen 13th overall in the 2025 draft, posing a threat to Yves Missi’s starting job. The sophomore earned the role last season due to injuries. While his numbers didn’t jump off the page, he was a good source of rebounds and blocks. Queen is an enticing prospect thanks to his offensive skills, but his defence raises some concerns. While it’s unclear when he’ll make his debut as he recovers from wrist surgery, the rookie should get some starts once healthy.
New signing Kevon Looney can also challenge for the job, being a veteran and three-time NBA champion. New Orleans is likely to experiment with all of them throughout the season.
VJ Edgecombe vs Jared McCain vs Quentin Grimes
Philidelphia 76ers
The 76ers have a plethora of shooting guards to utilize this year. VJ Edgecombe is expected to initially start while Jared McCain is out with a thumb injury. Quentin Grimes is also in the mix as he recently signed his qualifying offer to return for a year. Once McCain is back, the starting job could be up for grabs. Last year, he was an early ROTY favourite, averaging 15.3 points and 2.4 assists in 25.7 minutes, until an injury derailed his season. The 21-year-old brings offensive firepower, while Edgecombe is touted for his disruptiveness and boasts a 3-and-D skillset.
Grimes was a popular silly season pickup last year for his explosive play, providing points, rebounds, assists, and steals.
Jrue Holiday vs Scoot Henderson
Portland Trail Blazers
The recent news of Scoot Henderson’s hamstring strain makes the Trail Blazers’ starting point guard clear. Jrue Holiday will play the role while the 21-year-old is out. However, it remains to be seen if Chauncey Billups will prioritize the vet or the youngster once the team is back at full strength. Holiday is coming off one of his worst fantasy seasons, finishing outside of the top 100, but he provides mentorship and defensive stats.
Henderson is in his third year and has yet to make a splash. He’s struggled most with efficiency, turnovers, and inconsistency, but has shown some improvements and has upside as a scorer and playmaker.
Stephon Castle vs Dylan Harper
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs’ starting shooting guard spot is a positional battle of a sophomore vs a rookie. Stephon Castle is expected to begin the season with the first unit, but newcomer Dylan Harper will look to get some chances as a starter. Last season, Castle was phenomenal when De’Aaron Fox was shut down, averaging 18.6 points and 6.5 assists in 30.9 minutes across the last month of the season, helping him earn ROTY.
Meanwhile, Harper enters the league as a three-level scorer, playmaker, and solid defender with efficiency as his biggest weakness. Castle has the edge of being an immediate starter, but Harper’s upside makes him a late-round flier. Whoever comes off the bench is still poised to get heavy playing time.
Kristaps Porzingis vs Onyeka Okongwu
Atlanta Hawks
Clint Capela signed with the Rockets over the offseason, solidifying Onyeka Okongwu’s long-awaited starting spot on the Hawks. However, that was short-lived, as Atlanta acquired Kristaps Porzingis shortly after. The former Celtic is the likely starter thanks to his strong scoring, rebounding, shot-blocking, and efficiency.
However, he has a lengthy injury history and has only played 60+ games once in the past seven years. The team’s careful management of Porzingis should give Okongwu plenty of chances to join the first unit and return top 100 value.
Payton Pritchard vs Anfernee Simons
Boston Celtics
The Celtics’ roster is looking very different heading into 2025-26 and features multiple position battles. One of the most notable ones is in the backcourt between Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons. The 2025 6MOTY is fresh off a breakout season and has proved that he can handle more responsibilities, averaging 17.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 33 games where he played between 30-40 minutes last season.
Meanwhile, new addition Anfernee Simons is great offensively, but doesn’t offer much on the other end. His future with the team is also uncertain. Pritchard has the edge to start, but whoever comes off the bench will still have a significant workload.
Neemias Queta vs Luke Garza
Boston Celtics
The loss of Porzingis and Al Horford leaves Boston with a gaping hole at center. Their options are Neemias Queta and Luke Garza. Both lack experience, having started under 10 games across their young careers. Still, this is a significant developmental opportunity for them.
Queta is projected to get the promotion, thanks to his strong play in EuroBasket and defensive upside. That makes him worthy of being a late-round flier. He’ll face competition from Garza, who impressed during his college days and has shown his ability to score and rebound. Chris Boucher is also a candidate to start at center, but he could spend more time at the four instead.
Sam Hauser vs Chris Boucher
Boston Celtics
The Celtics’ power forward position also looks murky as Sam Hauser and Chris Boucher battle it out. The team has plenty of scoring options but are vulnerable defensively and on the glass. Hauser is the better offensive player thanks to his 3-point shot, while Boucher is more defensive-minded.
Spacing becomes a concern if Boucher starts, but that would give the team much-needed size.
Jay Huff vs Isaiah Jackson
Indiana Pacers
Myles Turner found a new home with the Bucks, so the Pacers got big man insurance by acquiring Jay Huff. It’s between him and Isaiah Jackson for the starting center role. The undrafted 27-year-old turned heads with the Grizzlies last season, flashing his shot-blocking, three-point shooting, and efficiency. Huff could start initially, especially as Jackson may need more time to recover from his Achilles tear.
Isaiah has spent all four years with Indiana, contributing some points, rebounds, and blocks, boasting an impressive career block average of 1.3 across 15 MPG.
Kevin Porter Jr. vs Cole Anthony
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks shockingly waived Damian Lillard over the offseason, leaving a big question mark at point guard. Kevin Porter Jr. is expected to replace him, given that he was a solid starter for the Rockets a few years ago and thrived in that role. In 2022-23, he was a top-60 player in category leagues, thanks to his scoring, playmaking, three-point shooting, rebounding, and steals.
However, the Bucks also landed Cole Anthony in free agency. He is a streaky player, but posts solid value in multiple areas when things are clicking.
Yves Missi vs Derik Queen vs Kevon Looney
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans selected Derik Queen 13th overall in the 2025 draft, posing a threat to Yves Missi’s starting job. The sophomore earned the role last season due to injuries. While his numbers didn’t jump off the page, he was a good source of rebounds and blocks. Queen is an enticing prospect thanks to his offensive skills, but his defence raises some concerns. While it’s unclear when he’ll make his debut as he recovers from wrist surgery, the rookie should get some starts once healthy.
New signing Kevon Looney can also challenge for the job, being a veteran and three-time NBA champion. New Orleans is likely to experiment with all of them throughout the season.
VJ Edgecombe vs Jared McCain vs Quentin Grimes
Philidelphia 76ers
The 76ers have a plethora of shooting guards to utilize this year. VJ Edgecombe is expected to initially start while Jared McCain is out with a thumb injury. Quentin Grimes is also in the mix as he recently signed his qualifying offer to return for a year. Once McCain is back, the starting job could be up for grabs. Last year, he was an early ROTY favourite, averaging 15.3 points and 2.4 assists in 25.7 minutes, until an injury derailed his season. The 21-year-old brings offensive firepower, while Edgecombe is touted for his disruptiveness and boasts a 3-and-D skillset.
Grimes was a popular silly season pickup last year for his explosive play, providing points, rebounds, assists, and steals.
Jrue Holiday vs Scoot Henderson
Portland Trail Blazers
The recent news of Scoot Henderson’s hamstring strain makes the Trail Blazers’ starting point guard clear. Jrue Holiday will play the role while the 21-year-old is out. However, it remains to be seen if Chauncey Billups will prioritize the vet or the youngster once the team is back at full strength. Holiday is coming off one of his worst fantasy seasons, finishing outside of the top 100, but he provides mentorship and defensive stats.
Henderson is in his third year and has yet to make a splash. He’s struggled most with efficiency, turnovers, and inconsistency, but has shown some improvements and has upside as a scorer and playmaker.
Stephon Castle vs Dylan Harper
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs’ starting shooting guard spot is a positional battle of a sophomore vs a rookie. Stephon Castle is expected to begin the season with the first unit, but newcomer Dylan Harper will look to get some chances as a starter. Last season, Castle was phenomenal when De’Aaron Fox was shut down, averaging 18.6 points and 6.5 assists in 30.9 minutes across the last month of the season, helping him earn ROTY.
Meanwhile, Harper enters the league as a three-level scorer, playmaker, and solid defender with efficiency as his biggest weakness. Castle has the edge of being an immediate starter, but Harper’s upside makes him a late-round flier. Whoever comes off the bench is still poised to get heavy playing time.