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
N. Alexander-Walker Dyson Daniels Zaccharie Risacher Jalen Johnson Onyeka Okongwu
CJ McCollum Buddy Hield Corey Kispert Jonathan Kuminga Jock Landale
Keaton Wallace     Asa Newell Mouhamed Gueye
Gabe Vincent        
Traded: Trae Young, Vit Krejci, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard

Boston Celtics

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

Brooklyn Nets

PG SG SF PF C
Nolan Traore Egor Demin Noah Clowney Michael Porter Jr. Nic Claxton
Terance Mann Ochai Agbaji Ziaire Williams Danny Wolf Day’Ron Sharpe
Ben Saraf Tyrese Martin Drake Powell Tyson Etienne Hunter Tyson
    Jalen Wilson Josh Minott  
Traded: Cam Thomas (released)

Charlotte Hornets

 
PG SG SF PF C
LaMelo Ball Brandon Miller Kon Knueppel Miles Bridges Moussa Diabate
Sion James Coby White Josh Green Grant Williams Ryan Kalkbrenner
Tre Mann Liam McNeeley Pat Connaughton Tidjane Salaun Xavier Tillman
         
Traded: Collin Sexton, Mason Plumlee

Chicago Bulls

 
PG SG SF PF C
Josh Giddey Jaden Ivey Isaac Okoro Matas Buzelis Jalen Smith
Tre Jones Anfernee Simons Patrick Williams Guerschon Yabusele Zach Collins
Rob Dillingham Collin Sexton   Leonard Miller Nick Richards
Long Term Injuries: Noa Essengue (shoulder)
Traded: Kevin Huerter, Nikola Vucevic; Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Dalen Terry, Julian Phillips

Cleveland Cavaliers

 
PG SG SF PF C
James Harden Donovan Mitchell Jaylon Tyson Evan Mobley Jarrett Allen
Dennis Schroder Keon Ellis Dean Wade Nae’Qwan Tomlin Thomas Bryant
Craig Porter Tyrese Proctor Sam Merrill   Larry Nance
Long Term Injuries: Max Strus (left foot)
Traded: Darius Garland, De’Andre Hunter, Lonzo Ball

Dallas Mavericks

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

Denver Nuggets

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

Detroit Pistons

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

Golden State Warriors

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

Houston Rockets

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

Indiana Pacers

 
PG SG SF PF C
Andrew Nembhard Ben Sheppard Aaron Nesmith Pascal Siakam Ivica Zubac
T.J. McConnell Kam Jones Jarace Walker Obi Toppin Jay Huff
Quenton Jackson Taelon Peter Micah Potter Ethan Thompson Kobe Brown
         
Long Term Injuries: Tyrese Haliburton (ACL), Johnny Furphy (ACL)
Traded: Benn Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson

Los Angeles Clippers

 
PG SG SF PF C
Darius Garland Benn Mathurin Kawhi Leonard John Collins Brook Lopez
Kris Dunn Bogdan Bogdanovic Derrick Jones Nicolas Batum Yanic Konan Niederhauser
  Cam Christie Jordan Miller Kobe Sanders Isaiah Jackson
Long Term Injuries: Bradley Beal (hip)
Traded: Ivica Zubac, Kobe Brown, James Harden

Los Angeles Lakers

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

Memphis Grizzlies

 
PG SG SF PF C
Ja Morant Cedric Coward Jaylen Wells Santi Aldama Zach Edey
Ty Jerome Scotty Pippen Taylor Hendricks GG Jackson Kyle Anderson
Walter Clayton Cam Spencer Rayan Rupert K. Caldwell-Pope O-Max Prosper
Long Term Injuries: Brandon Clarke (PCL)
Traded: Jaren Jackson Jr., Jock Landale, John Konchar, Vince William

Miami Heat

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

Milwaukee Bucks

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

Minnesota Timberwolves

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

New Orleans Pelicans

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

New York Knicks

 
PG SG SF PF C
Jalen Brunson Mikal Bridges Josh Hart OG Anunoby Karl-Anthony Towns
Miles McBride Tyler Kolek Mohamed Diawara Jeremy Sochan Mitchell Robinson
Jose Alvarado  Jordan Clarkson Kevin McCullar Pacome Dadiet Ariel Hukporti
Traded: Guerschon Yabusele

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 Isaiah Joe Jaylin Williams
Nikola Topic Jared McCain Alex Caruso Kenrich Williams  
Long Term Injuries: Thomas Sorber (ACL)
Traded: Ousmane Dieng

Orlando Magic

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

Philadelphia 76ers

 
PG SG SF PF C
Tyrese Maxey VJ Edgecombe Dom Barlow Kelly Oubre Joel Embiid
Quentin Grimes Justin Edwards Jabari Walker Trendon Watford Adem Bona
Kyle Lowry     Johni Broome Andre Drummond
Long term issues: Paul George (suspended 25 games)
Traded: Jared McCain, Eric Gordon

Phoenix Suns

 
PG SG SF PF C
Collin Gillespie Devin Booker Jalen Green Royce O’Neale Mark Williams
Jordan Goodwin Grayson Allen Ryan Dunn Oso Ighodaro Khaman Maluach
Jamaree Bouyea Cole Anthony Amir Coffey Haywood Highsmith Rasheer Fleming
  Kobe Brea Isaiah Livers    
Long Term Injuries: Dillon Brooks (hand)
Traded: Nick Richards, Nigel Hayes

Portland Trail Blazers

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

Sacramento Kings

 
PG SG SF PF C
Russell Westbrook DeMar DeRozan Keegan Murray Precious Achiuwa Maxime Raynaud
Devin Carter Malik Monk Nique Clifford De’Andre Hunter Dylan Cardwell
Isaiah Stevens   Doug McDermott Isaac Jones Drew Eubanks
         
Long Term Injuries: Zach LaVine (hand), Domantas Sabonis (knee)
Traded: Dario Saric, Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis

San Antonio Spurs

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

Toronto Raptors

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

Utah Jazz

 
PG SG SF PF C
Isaiah Collier Keyonte George Lauri Markkanen Ace Bailey Jusuf Nurkic
  Cody Williams Bryce Sensabaugh   Kyle Filipowski
  John Konchar Svi Mykhailiuk    
Long Term Injuries: Walker Kessler (shoulder), Vince Williams (ACL), Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee)
Traded: Walter Clayton, Kyle Anderson, Georges Niang, Taylor Hendricks, John Tonje

Washington Wizards

 
PG SG SF PF C
Trae Young Tre Johnson Kyshawn George Justin Champagnie Alex Sarr
Bub Carrington Jamir Watkins Bilal Coulibaly Cam Whitmore Tristan Vukcevic
D’Angelo Russell Jaden Hardy  Will Riley Anthony Gill  
Dante Exum        
         
Term Injuries: Anthony Davis (lots of stuff)
Traded: Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley Long 

[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.