Category: Roster Analysis

[Roster Analysis]: NBA Depth Charts 2025-2026

Eric Creighton

Quick Note: Well, I finally did it. Many times over the years I’ve gotten sick of trying to find (what I think are) clean and accurate projected depth charts prior to the start of the season, so I went ahead and created them myself with an assist from Uncle Chet (GPT). Turned out to be a fun exercise, and also a challenging one for some teams–see: Blazers, Kings and Raptors. I made the judgement call to eliminate most two-way players who won’t really have a chance of getting minutes, as well as highlighting long term injuries. As we all gear up for this season, these depth charts should be a helpful tool to wrap our heads around what’s happening and projecting team success. I considered making this a page on my site that I would tend to and update throughout the season. And I still may do that, but first, I have more to research.


Atlanta Hawks

 
PG SG SF PF C
Trae Young Dyson Daniels Zaccharie Risacher Jalen Johnson Kristaps Porzingis
N. Alexander-Walker Vit Krejci Luke Kennard Asa Newell Onyeka Okongwu
Keaton Wallace   Caleb Houstan Mouhamed Gueye N’Faly Dante
 

Boston Celtics

 
PG SG SF PF C
Payton Pritchard Derrick White Jaylen Brown Jordan Walsh Neemias Queta
Anfernee Simons Hugo Gonzalez Sam Hauser Josh Minott Luka Garza
  Ron Harper Baylor Scheierman Chris Boucher Xavier Tillman
         
Long Term Injuries: Jayson Tatum (ACL)

Brooklyn Nets

PG SG SF PF C
Egor Demin Cam Thomas Terance Mann Michael Porter Jr. Nic Claxton
Tyson Etienne Ziaire Williams Haywood Highsmith Noah Clowney Day’Ron Sharpe
Ben Saraf Tyrese Martin Jalen Wilson Drew Timme Danny Wolf
Nolan Traore   Drake Powell    
 

Charlotte Hornets

 
PG SG SF PF C
LaMelo Ball Brandon Miller Kon Knueppel Miles Bridges Ryan Kalkbrenner
Sion James Collin Sexton Pat Connaughton Grant Williams Moussa Diabate
KJ Simpson Josh Green Liam McNeeley Tidjane Salaun Mason Plumlee
  Tre Mann      
 

Chicago Bulls

 
PG SG SF PF C
Josh Giddey Coby White Isaac Okoro Matas Buzelis Nikola Vucevic
Tre Jones Ayo Dosunmu Kevin Huerter Patrick Williams Jalen Smith
Jevon Carter Dalen Terry Julian Phillips Noa Essengue Zach Collins
 

Cleveland Cavaliers

 
PG SG SF PF C
Darius Garland Donovan Mitchell De’Andre Hunter Evan Mobley Jarrett Allen
Lonzo Ball Sam Merrill Jaylon Tyson Dean Wade Larry Nance
Craig Porter Tyrese Proctor     Thomas Bryant
Long Term Injuries: Max Strus (left foot)

Dallas Mavericks

 
PG SG SF PF C
Naji Marshall Klay Thompson Cooper Flagg Anthony Davis Dereck Lively
D’Angelo Russell Max Christie Caleb Martin P.J. Washington Daniel Gafford
Brandon Williams Dante Exum Jaden Hardy   Dwight Powell
Long Term Injury: Kyrie Irving (ACL)

Denver Nuggets

 
PG SG SF PF C
Jamal Murray Spencer Jones Cam Johnson Peyton Watson Nikola Jokic
Bruce Brown Tim Hardaway   DaRon Holmes Jonas Valanciunas
Jalen Pickett Julian Strawther   Hunter Tyson Zeke Nnaji
Long Term Injuries: Christian Braun (ankle), Aaron Gordon (hamstring)

Detroit Pistons

 
PG SG SF PF C
Cade Cunningham Duncan Robinson Ausar Thompson Tobias Harris Jalen Duren
Caris LeVert Jaden Ivey Ron Holland Isaiah Stewart Paul Reed
Marcus Sasser Daniss Jenkins Chaz Lanier Bobi Klintman  
 

Golden State Warriors

 
PG SG SF PF C
Stephen Curry Brandin Podziemski Jimmy Butler Draymond Green Al Horford
Will Richard Moses Moody Buddy Hield Jonathan Kuminga Quinten Post
Pat Spencer   Alex Toohey Gui Santos Trayce Jackson-Davis
Long Term Injuries: De’Anthony Melton (ACL)

Houston Rockets

 
PG SG SF PF C
Amen Thompson Josh Okogie Kevin Durant Jabari Smith Alperen Sengun
Reed Sheppard Aaron Holiday Jae’Sean Tate Tari Eason Steven Adams
JD Davison     Jeff Green Clint Capela
Long Term Injuries: Fred VanVleet (ACL), Dorian Finney-Smith (Ankle)

Indiana Pacers

 
PG SG SF PF C
Andrew Nembhard Benn Mathurin Aaron Nesmith Pascal Siakam Isaiah Jackson
T.J. McConnell Ben Sheppard Johnny Furphy Jarace Walker Jay Huff
Kam Jones       James Wiseman
        Tony Bradley
Long Term Injuries: Tyrese Haliburton (ACL), Obi Toppin (foot)

Los Angeles Clippers

 
PG SG SF PF C
James Harden Kris Dunn Derrick Jones Kawhi Leonard Ivica Zubac
Chris Paul Bogdan Bogdanovic Nicolas Batum John Collins Brook Lopez
  Cam Christie   Kobe Brown  
Long Term Injuries: Bradley Beal (hip)

Los Angeles Lakers

 
PG SG SF PF C
Luka Doncic Austin Reaves LeBron James Rui Hachimura Deandre Ayton
Gabe Vincent Marcus Smart Jake LaRavia Jarred Vanderbilt Jaxson Hayes
Bronny James Dalton Knecht Adou Thiero Maxi Kleber  
 

Memphis Grizzlies

 
PG SG SF PF C
Ja Morant K. Caldwell-Pope Jaylen Wells Jaren Jackson Jr. Zach Edey
Cam Spencer Cedric Coward Vince Williams Santi Aldama Jock Landale
  John Konchar O-Max Prosper GG Jackson  
Long Term Injuries: Brandon Clarke (PCL), Ty Jerome (calf)

Miami Heat

 
PG SG SF PF C
Davion Mitchell Tyler Herro Andrew Wiggins Nikola Jovic Bam Adebayo
Kasparas Jakucionis Norman Powell Pelle Larsson Jaime Jaquez Kel’el Ware
Dru Smith   Simone Fontecchio Keshad Johnson  
         
Long Term Injuries: Terry Rozier (jail)

Milwaukee Bucks

 
PG SG SF PF C
Ryan Rollins A.J. Green Kyle Kuzma Giannis Antetokounmpo Myles Turner
Cole Anthony Gary Trent   Bobby Portis Jericho Sims
Kevin Porter Gary Harris   Thanasis Antetokounmpo  
Andre Jackson        
Long Term Injuries: Taurean Prince (neck)

Minnesota Timberwolves

 
PG SG SF PF C
Donte DiVincenzo Anthony Edwards Jaden McDaniels Julius Randle Rudy Gobert
Mike Conley Terrence Shannon Jaylen Clark Naz Reid Joan Beringer
Rob Dillingham Bones Hyland   Leonard Miller  
Joe Ingles        
 

New Orleans Pelicans

 
PG SG SF PF C
Jeremiah Fears Trey Murphy Herb Jones Zion Williamson Yves Missi
Jose Alvarado Jordan Poole Saddiq Bey Derik Queen Kevon Looney
Bryce McGowens Jordan Hawkins Micah Peavy Karlo Matkovic Deandre Jordan
Long Term Injuries: Dejounte Murray (Achilles)

New York Knicks

 
PG SG SF PF C
Jalen Brunson Mikal Bridges OG Anunoby Karl-Anthony Towns Mitchell Robinson
Miles McBride Jordan Clarkson Josh Hart Guerschon Yabusele Ariel Hukporti
Tyler Kolek   Pacome Dadiet    
Long Term Injuries: 

Oklahoma City Thunder

 
PG SG SF PF C
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Jalen Williams Lu Dort Chet Holmgren Isaiah Hartenstein
Cason Wallace Ajay Mitchell Aaron Wiggins Kenrich Williams Jaylin Williams
Ajay Mitchell Alex Caruso Isaiah Joe Ousmane Dieng  
Long Term Injuries: Thomas Sorber (ACL), Nikola Topic (testicle)

Orlando Magic

 
PG SG SF PF C
Jalen Suggs Desmond Bane Franz Wagner Paolo Banchero Wendell Carter
Tyus Jones Anthony Black Tristan Da Silva Jonathan Isaac Goga Bitadze
Jase Richardson Jett Howard   Noah Penda  
Long Term Injuries: Mo Wagner (ACL)

Philadelphia 76ers

 
PG SG SF PF C
Tyrese Maxey V.J. Edgecombe Kelly Oubre Paul George Joel Embiid
Quentin Grimes Jared McCain Jabari Walker Trendon Watford Adem Bona
Kyle Lowry Eric Gordon Justin Edwards Johni Broome Andre Drummond
 

Phoenix Suns

 
PG SG SF PF C
Devin Booker Grayson Allen Dillon Brooks Royce O’Neale Mark Williams
Collin Gillespie Jordan Goodwin Ryan Dunn Oso Ighodaro Khaman Maluach
    Nigel Hayes Rasheer Fleming Nick Richards
         
Long Term Injuries: Jalen Green (hamstring)

Portland Trail Blazers

 
PG SG SF PF C
Jrue Holiday Shaedon Sharpe Toumani Camara Deni Avdija Donovan Clingan
Blake Wesley Matisse Thybulle Jerami Grant Hansen Yang Robert Williams
  Rayan Rupert Kris Murray Sidy Cissoko Duop Reath
Long Term Injuries: Damian Lillard (ACL), Scoot Henderson (hamstring)

Sacramento Kings

 
PG SG SF PF C
Dennis Schroder Zach LaVine DeMar DeRozan Keegan Murray Domantas Sabonis
Malik Monk Russell Westbrook Keon Ellis Nique Clifford Maxime Raynaud
Devin Carter   Doug McDermott Isaac Jones Drew Eubanks
      Dario Saric  
 

San Antonio Spurs

 
PG SG SF PF C
De’Aaron Fox Stephon Castle Devin Vassell Harrison Barnes Victor Wembanyama
Dylan Harper Julian Champagnie Keldon Johnson Jeremy Sochan Luke Kornet
Jordan McLaughlin     Carter Bryant Kelly Olynyk
 

Toronto Raptors

 
PG SG SF PF C
Immanuel Quickley RJ Barrett Brandon Ingram Scottie Barnes Jakob Poeltl
Jamal Shead Gradey Dick Ochai Agbaji Collin Murray-Boyles Sandro Mamukelashvili
  Ja’Kobe Walter Jamison Battle   Jonathan Mogbo
  Garrett Temple      
 

Utah Jazz

 
PG SG SF PF C
Isaiah Collier Keyonte George Ace Bailey Lauri Markkanen Jusuf Nurkic
Walter Clayton Svi Mykhailiuk Bryce Sensabaugh Taylor Hendricks Kyle Filipowski
  Cody Williams Kyle Anderson Georges Niang  
Long Term Injuries: Walker Kessler (shoulder)

Washington Wizards

 
PG SG SF PF C
C.J. McCollum Tre Johnson Bilal Coulibaly Kyshawn George Alex Sarr
Bub Carrington Corey Kispert Khris Middleton Cam Whitmore Marvin Bagley
AJ Johnson Jamir Watkins Will Riley Anthony Gill Tristan Vukcevic
  Malaki Branham      
         
 

[Roster Analysis]: Celtics Already Missing Romeo

Eric CreightonLeave a comment

The shortened preseason schedule just ended and it’s already blatantly apparent that the Celtics will greatly miss Romeo Langford. With Kemba Walker out for the first month of the season with knee issues, newly-signed Tristan Thompson out with a strained hamstring, and Langford healing from hand surgery, the Celtics depth will be tested early. Even worse, is the gap in the starting lineup left by Gordon Hayward, who was a main facilitator for Brad Stevens offense when he was healthy–a gap that may very well have been filled by Langford, especially if he hadn’t missed out on the valuable experience of going deep into the playoffs in the bubble.

Now Langford is certainly not the passer that Hayward is, but they are both crafty offensive player who can score at all three levels, and most importantly, Langford brings a strong defensive presence to the table. He was so solid in stints last year, that he earned Stevens trust and along with it, a decent amount of P.T. Langford is a crafty scorer and a solid rebounder for a guard–and he averaged about 3 assists per game in high school and at Indiana. So he has it in him to be a decent passer, and would fit in nicely as a dynamic wing in between Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who could project to average 12/5/3 per game, while guarding the best 2 or 3 on the opposing team. Modest numbers for sure, but production that would make a big difference in Hayward’s absence.

Sadly, Langford’s reality is that he has never gotten into an extended groove, and will not be in one anytime soon, having missed out on the vast majority of the bubble experience, needing to heal from the surgery, and now missing training camp. When he returns, in February, as is being speculated currently, the Celtics will be happy to have him, but he’ll need to regain Stevens trust and fight to gain that starting spot that may have been earmarked for him with Hayward gone.

[Roster Analysis]: Jazz Overrated…Again.

Eric CreightonLeave a comment

Reading and listening to season previews by NBA writers this week, one thing continues to hit me like nails on a chalkboard: predicting the Jazz to be one of the strongest teams in the West and a playoff team that could catch lightning in a bottle a la Miami in the bubble–with many even saying that they’ll be in the top four seeds, including ESPN’s Kevin Pelton. Not sure if these guys are pals with Quin Snyder or Dennis Lindsey, but as with last year, the Jazz are overrated. Yes, there is a shortened season, but even with 72 games you need quality depth on the roster to win enough games to earn home court advantage in a challenging West, and the Jazz don’t have it, period.

IF Mike Conley plays more consistently and IF Bojan Bogdanovic is healthy they will certainly have a talented starting 5, but that’s where the fun ends. Those are just some of the IF’s for the starters. From there, lineups will feature Jordan Clarkson, Joe Ingles, and Derrick Favors? Sorry, but that roster looks to me like a team that is in the 6-10 range at best. They don’t have enough quality wings and they spent their money this offseason on Favors, who will only get so many minutes per game backing up Rudy Gobert (who may mope all season waiting for his max contract), or with a two-big lineup. They have no real back-up PG besides Ingles which equals more minutes for Donovan Mitchell.

In addition, the front office doesn’t have young players or many assets to try and improve the roster in-season, with the possible exception of dealing Ingles or using draft capital. In the end, the weak roster will inevitably force Snyder to overplay the starters, risking fatigue and injuries along the way which could easily have a trickle down effect to underachieving in the playoffs. Enjoy the hot air while you can, Jazz fans, then buckle up for a deflating season.

Update 12/19/2020: Jazz signed Yogi Ferrell and Shaq Harrison since I wrote this post, somehow waking up and realizing that they need more wing depth. Harrison, at the least, will most likely be in their 10-man rotation starting immediately, but sadly, this still doesn’t move the needle for them at all.

Update 3/9/2021: Ferrell and Harrison were both waived, Bogdanovic and Conley have stayed healthy, Clarkson jumped up a level and the Jazz have the best record in the league and are rolling strong into the playoffs. We’ll see if my ‘lack of quality depth’ take will hold true in the playoffs.