Adding One Current NBA Player To Every Franchise’s Greatest Team

Throughout NBA history, there have been many teams to stand out above the rest as the elite of the elite. You can point to one specific season for every NBA team and either say that was their best championship team or that was their best shot at an NBA championship they have ever had. Below will be a simulation as if we had a time machine and could take one player from every current-day franchise and drop them in the starting lineup of that franchise’s greatest team ever.

You have seen us do this before by adding one franchise legend to every current-day NBA team’s lineup as well as creating a starting lineup of only players that were drafted by a specific team. Now, we dig deep through the annals of NBA history and place current players throughout time. We will then break down each lineup as is and showcase any new advantages or weaknesses that the team may have in its new form. In the end, we encourage the fans to let us know which team they think would be the most unstoppable.

This is the addition of one current NBA player to every franchise’s greatest team.

2014-15 Atlanta Hawks

Starting Lineup: Trae Young, Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap, Al Horford

For the Atlanta Hawks, we coil have easily chosen their 1958 NBA championship team, but with such a different set of rules and how the game was played, Trae Young would have been at a massive disadvantage. Instead, we have decided to add Young to Atlanta’s second-most successful team, the 60-22 2014-15 Hawks. This team was led by six different players who scored in double figures and had the sixth-ranked offense and sixth-ranked defense in the league at the time. They would advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were swept by LeBron James and the Cavaliers.

The addition of Young to this lineup could have been enough to at least make it a more competitive series than that. Young gives Atlanta another deadly option from three alongside Korver as well as one of the top playmakers in the league today. Young has dished out 9.0 APG or more over the last four seasons, and he averaged 10.2 APG in 2022-23 with Atlanta, making him another playmaking threat with Jeff Teague. The addition of Young to this lineup would have made them a formidable opponent and perhaps even Eastern Conference Champions in 2014-15.

1985-86 Boston Celtics

Starting Lineup: Dennis Johnson, Jayson Tatum, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish

Early on, we are introduced to one of the strongest teams on the entire list with the addition of Jayson Tatum to the 1985-86 Boston Celtics. This team was led by Larry Bird, who would go on to win his third MVP award in a row and 67 wins for the season. The Celtics would eventually win an NBA championship with McHale as the only other 20.0 PPG scorer and Dennis Johnson and Robert Parish, each averaging 15.0 PPG or better.

The addition of Jayson Tatum to this team makes them a lock to win the NBA championship. In 2022-23, Tatum became the first player in Celtics history to average 30.0 PPG in a season and became a true top 5-10 player in the NBA. Tatum offers the 1985-86 Celtics a clear second option on the offensive end and yet another great addition to their already impressive defense. The real question is, with the addition of Tatum to the 1985-86 Celtics, do the Lakers ever become the most successful team in the decade?

2001-02 Brooklyn Nets

Starting Lineup: Jason Kidd, Kerry Kittles, Mikal Bridges, Kenyon Martin, Todd MacCulloch

Excluding the ABA, the best season in Brooklyn Nets history came when the team was still in New Jersey in 2001-02. This was the first of two consecutive seasons that the Nets would advance to the NBA Finals, led by point guard and MVP candidate Jason Kidd. As a dynamic two-way point guard, we have an interesting combination with another budding two-way star in today’s game, Mikal Bridges.

Bridges has been a member of the Nets for just 27 games and has already begun to come out of his shell as an offensive player during that time. He averaged 26.1 PPG on 47.5% shooting and 37.6% shooting from three. He added 4.5 RPG and 1.0 SPG to help the Nets maintain the sixth seed in the NBA playoffs. As great of a duo as it is to think about with Kidd and Bridges, it still would not be enough to deliver an NBA championship due to the disadvantages in their frontcourt. Shaq and Tim Duncan would still have their way with Kenyon Martin and Todd MacCulloch and the Nets would still fall.

1996-97 Charlotte Hornets

Starting Lineup: Muggsy Bogues, LaMelo Ball, Glen Rice, Anthony Mason, Vlade Divac

The Charlotte Hornets are one of the few teams on our list who remain titleless in their franchise’s history. With Michael Jordan getting ready to sell the team, it is only right we take a look back at their best season and add one of the brightest young guards in the game today to their lineup. The team was led by coach Dave Cowens who famously told a young Kobe Bryant that he wasn’t needed in Charlotte before the season, which prompted a deal to acquire Vlade Divac from the Lakers.

In 1996-97, Glen Rice would have an MVP-caliber season with 26.8 PPG on an NBA-leading 47.0% shooting from three. Anthony Mason provided over 16.0 PPG and 11.0 RPG, while Divac averaged over 12.5 PPG and added 2.2 BPG to the interior defense. We would add LaMelo Ball to this pretty steady Hornets lineup despite his injury issues in 2022-23. Before those problems this year, Ball is already a 20.0 PPG scorer who dishes out 7.0 to 8.0 APG as well. The Hornets would be swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Knicks, and the addition of Ball perhaps earns them one or two wins in that series before ultimately suffering the same fate.

1995-96 Chicago Bulls

Starting Lineup: Ron Harper, Michael Jordan, DeMar DeRozan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman

The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls are arguably the greatest team in NBA history. They boast the best record by an NBA champion ever at 72-10 and were led by the greatest player in history and MVP, Michael Jordan. The team meshed perfectly, with Scottie Pippen as an all-time great defender/playmaker and Dennis Rodman handling the dirty work on rebounds and in the paint. The complementary players such as Ron Harper, Luc Longley, Stever Kerr, and others rounded out a solid roster that went on to win the NBA championship in six games over the Seattle SuperSonics.

With our current player selection today, we have removed Luc Longley from the starting lineup in favor of another offensive weapon in DeMar DeRozan. Alleviating even more pressure from Jordan to be the one to carry the scoring makes this Bulls team possibly even scarier than they actually were back in 1995-96. What they lack in size without Longley, they add in firepower with DeRozan. There is no doubt that this team would still go on to win an NBA championship.

2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers

Starting Lineup: Kyrie Irving, Donovan Mitchell, LeBron James, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson

The story of the 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers is already one that will be told for the rest of time as the greatest upset in NBA history. The team was led by LeBron James, who was in his second season back in Cleveland and coming off his fifth straight run to the NBA Finals. At point guard was Kyrie Irving, who would prove to be crucial to their run to the NBA championship as well as Kevin Love at the power forward spot averaging 16.0 PPG and 9.9 RPG. The Cavaliers would go on to defeat the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in seven games in the NBA Finals after falling behind in the series 3-1.

This lineup only gets stronger with the addition of Donovan Mitchell from the 2022-23 team. Mitchell had a career year in his first season as a member of the Cavaliers, averaging 28.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 4.4 APG on 48.4% shooting overall and 38.6% from three. Mitchell gives LeBron James yet another scoring threat to work with and one who takes some pressure off of him to create so much for his teammates. This Cavaliers team is only better with Mitchell on the floor, making it a certainty they remain NBA champions.

2010-11 Dallas Mavericks

Starting Lineup: Jason Kidd, Luka Doncic, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler

The 2010-11 Dallas Mavericks are another story that still gets glorified and told today as one of the great championship runs in NBA history. Led by fearless leader Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks carved out an impossible path to their one and only NBA championship in franchise history. This lineup includes Nowitzki, who was Finals MVP in 2011 and averaged 23.0 PPG and 7.0 RPG for the season. Jason Kidd was their floor general and point guard who led the team with 8.2 APG and made 80 starts. The lineup is rounded out by All-Defensive center Tyson Chandler and Swiss Army knife Shawn Marion.

The addition to this lineup is none other than MVP candidate and near-scoring champion Luka Doncic. As a team, the Mavericks failed miserably in 2022-23, but Doncic played extremely well. He averaged a career-high 32.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 8.0 APG in 2022-23, making him a devastating addition to the 2010-11 team for all opponents. With his scoring and playmaking only making the 2010-11 squad even more versatile, it is safe to say he and Dirk would deliver another championship to Dallas.

2008-09 Denver Nuggets

Starting Lineup: Chauncey Billups, Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin, Nikola Jokic

It is time to get introduced to our second serious contender for the best team on this list, the 2008-09 Denver Nuggets, with the addition of two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. The 2008-09 Denver Nuggets won 54 games with four players averaging 15.0 PPG or more. Carmelo Anthony led the way with 22.8 PPG, and Allen Iverson and Chauncey Billups each dished out over 6.0 APG apiece.

With this team, it was an absolute no-brainer to add Nikola Jokic to their lineup. The two-time MVP would bring an unstoppable element to their offense, allowing them quite possibly advance past the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. While it would have been a battle between Pau Gasol and Jokic, the ability as a playmaker to have so many weapons at his disposal, like Carmelo, Iverson, and Billups, makes this Nuggets team exponentially more dangerous than it was 14 years ago. Jokic definitely makes this team an NBA championship finalist and perhaps a winner over the Orlando Magic as well.

1988-89 Detroit Pistons

Starting Lineup: Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bojan Bogdanovic, Dennis Rodman, Bill Laimbeer

In the late 80s and early 90s, the Detroit Pistons fought, scratched, and clawed their way to two NBA championships and a reputation as one of the most hated yet iconic teams in NBA history. We have made a few modifications to this lineup other than introducing 2022-23 Bojan Bogdanovic into it. Instead of Rick Mahorn, we decided to insert Dennis Rodman as a starter because of his defensive and rebounding ability was better than that of Mahorn. Isaiah Thomas and Joe Dumars form one of the best backcourts in basketball, both averaging over 17.5 PPG, with Thomas dishing out over 8.0 APG.

The 2022-23 season was the first for Bogdanovic in Detroit, and he excelled as the number-one option for most of it. Sure, we could have gone with Cade Cunningham here, but we refused to replace either guard for an injury-prone young potential star. Bogdanovic was a great choice as he averaged 21.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 2.6 APG on 48.8% shooting and 41.1% from three on 6.0 attempts. In all honesty, the Pistons win the NBA championship regardless of who is in this position, and I mean that with all due respect to Mark Aguirre, who played a huge role in their championship.

2016-17 Golden State Warriors

Starting Lineup: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green

There are many NBA fans out there right now who will tell you that the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors are the greatest NBA team of all time. Despite their 67 wins not matching that of the 96’ Bulls or 16’ Warriors, the firepower of Stephen Curry, Klay Thomspon, and Kevin Durant was far too much for any defense to keep up with. There were two number-one options that drew different coverages and picked them apart with ease. There is also the defensive centerpiece Draymond Green who slides in as a small ball center in this case.

Instead of replacing a guard with Jordan Poole, we decided to substitute a big man for two-way star Andrew Wiggins. Playing a huge role on both sides of the ball in the 2022 championship run, Wiggins seems like the perfect fit to make an already deadly line even more unbeatable. There is no doubt that a fully healthy and prepared Wiggins added to a lineup of prime Durant, Curry, and Klay would be one of the highest-scoring lineups in NBA history.

1993-94 Houston Rockets

Starting Lineup: Jalen Green, Vernon Maxwell, Robert Horry, Otis Thorpe, Hakeem Olajuwon

The 1993-94 Houston Rockets were an extraordinary team who would go on to win the NBA championship after finishing 58-24 in the regular season. Houston was led by Hakeem Olajuwon, who won the MVP award as well as his second straight Defensive Player of the Year award in 1994, averaging 27.3 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 1.6 SPG, and 3.7 BPG. The rest of the lineup features Otis Thorpe, who averaged a 14.0 PPG and 10.0 RPG double-double, as well as Vernon Maxwell, who was another double-digit scorer that season for the Rockets.

In this scenario, the Rockets get an injection of youth, with Jalen Green being the one chosen to be transported back in time. Green is coming off a second season in the NBA in which he averaged 22.1 PPG and 3.7 APG on 33.8% shooting from three. Giving Olajuwon another 20.0 PPG scorer when the Rockets desperately needed another one outside of him is a championship-winning combination. Green’s shot creation and tough shot-making would be a huge boost to their perimeter play.

1999-00 Indiana Pacers

Starting Lineup: Tyrese Haliburton, Reggie Miller, Jalen Rose, Dale Davis, Rik Smits

The 1999-00 Indiana Pacers were not the greatest regular season team in franchise history. The 2003-04 Pacers hold that distinct honor with a 61-21 record. The difference between the two is that the 1999-00 team advanced to the NBA Finals and took two games from the dominant Lakers. The team was led by Jalen Rose and Reggie Miller, who were each 18.0 PPG scorers and Mark Jackson with 8.0 APG. In this scenario, Jackson gets the boot for Rose and the current player, we must add, who has shown shades of Jackson’s game in his own.

Tyrese Haliburton just earned his first All-Star selection in 2022-23, making this an upgrade at the point guard position compared to where Jackson was in 2000. Haliburton averaged 20.7 PPG and 10.4 APG on 49.0% shooting overall and 40.0% from three on 7.2 attempts. If it hadn’t been for an injury that cost him 26 games, the Pacers would have been competing for a playoff spot. Unfortunately, even with an upgrade at point guard, the Pacers still do not have enough to contain prime Shaq and a young Kobe Bryant. The Pacers get back to the Finals but still fall to the Lakers at that point.

2013-14 Los Angeles Clippers

Starting Lineup: Chris Paul, Jamal Crawford, Kawhi Leonard, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan

The 2013-14 Los Angeles Clippers are the most successful team in Clippers history going 57-25 with the highest-scoring offense in the NBA. The team was led by Blake Griffin, who averaged 24.1 PPG and 9.5 RPG on 52.8% shooting. Chris Paul and Jamal Crawford each averaged more than 18.0 PPG while Paul also averaged 10.7 APG and 2.5 SPG. This was the peak of the Lob City era for the Clippers, and they were one of the most electric teams to watch over the last 20 years.

With our choice of who to add from the current-day Clippers, we feel we are giving them the perfect two-way remedy for why they fell short back then. Kawhi Leonard has returned to All-Star-level form with the Clippers even after missing 30 games on the season. Kawhi averaged 23.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 1.4 SPG in 2022-23 while helping the Clippers get back to the NBA playoffs. His addition to the Lob City era could have been the piece they needed to defeat Kevin Durant’s Thunder in the second round and possibly capture an NBA championship.

1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers

Starting Lineup: Ron Harper, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, A.C. Green, Shaquille O’Neal

The Los Angeles Lakers of the early 2000s would go on one of the most dominant three-year runs that we have ever seen from one franchise. The first of these incredible seasons came in 2000 when they were led by MVP Shaquille O’Neal to a 67-15 record on the year and the NBA’s number one-rated defense. Kobe Bryant was emerging as a star as well, with 22.5 PPG on 46.8% shooting.

For this scenario, it was a no-brainer to give this already stacked team one of the greatest players in NBA history. LeBron James instantly makes this team a contender to win more than the NBA record 73 games and is a guaranteed lock for an NBA championship. Even 38-year-old LeBron averaged 28.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 6.8 APG, making the 1999-00 Lakers possibly the best team on this list.

2012-13 Memphis Grizzlies

Starting Lineup: Ja Morant, Tony Allen, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol

There are only two teams in Memphis Grizzlies history that have finished the season with 56 wins. Since one of them was the 2021-22 team, it is only fair that we somewhat reconstruct the Grit and Grind 2012-13 team. Unfortunately, it is Mike Conley Jr. who gets the ax in favor of our current player, but there is an upgrade in talent being made. This Grizzlies team would not only win 56 games in 2012-13, but they would also advance to the Western Conference Finals, which is another first in Grizzlies history.

Ja Morant joins this squad in place of Conley despite a tumultuous 2022-23 season off the court. Over the last two seasons, Morant has averaged 26.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 7.4 APG for Memphis as they matched the 2012-13 team’s win total last season and earned the two-seed this season despite Morant’s issues. Morant’s addition to the way that the 2012-13 team played basketball would be a perfect fit, but I am still going with the Spurs to advance in the Western Conference Finals.

2012-13 Miami Heat

Starting Lineup: Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen, Jimmy Butler, LeBron James, Chris Bosh

The 2012-13 Miami Heat are the greatest team in franchise history, and it is not very close. This Miami team would win a franchise-record 66 games led by MVP LeBron James, who averaged 26.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 7.3 APG, and 1.7 SPG and nearly won Defensive Player of the Year. Dwyane Wade was also a 21.0 PPG scorer for the team that season, and Chris Bosh poured in 16.6 PPG. The Heat would go on to win the NBA championship, with James being named Finals MVP for the second straight season.

Somehow and someway, the Miami Heat get even better in this scenario by going with a smaller lineup. They bring in Jimmy Butler from the 2022-23 Heat, who just led Miami through the play-in tournament and a playoff berth as the eighth seed. Butler averaged 22.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 5.3 APG this season as Miami won 44 games in a weird Eastern Conference race. Butler’s addition to this Miami team is almost guaranteed to get another win over the Spurs in the NBA Finals unless they are able to fully exploit their size advantage. Either way, Butler makes them a better team with a spot in the lineup.

1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks

Starting Lineup: Oscar Robertson, Bob Dandridge, Greg Smith, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The Milwaukee Bucks present yet another team worthy of consideration for the best on this list with the 1970-71 NBA champions. This team won 66 games during the regular season, which was a franchise record. They were led by MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged 31.7 PPG and 16.0 RPG in 82 games played. The Bucks also added Oscar Robertson for the 1970-71 season, and he averaged 19.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 8.2 APG on the season. Bob Dandridge added 19.4 PPG as well, and the Bucks went on to capture their first NBA championship in franchise history.

In the easiest decision for this project, the 1971 Bucks receive, who I think is the MVP and best player in the world right now, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis had another season worthy of MVP consideration after averaging 31.1 PPG, 11.8 RPG, and 5.7 APG while leading the Bucks to a 58-24 record. If Giannis were added to the 1971 Bucks, there would be a dynasty in Wisconsin as he and Kareem would form the most unstoppable duo of all time while also being led by one of the greatest point guards in NBA history.

2003-04 Minnesota Timberwolves

Starting Lineup: Sam Cassell, Anthony Edwards, Latrell Sprewell, Kevin Garnett, Mark Madsen

The 2003-04 Minnesota Timberwolves are one of those teams in NBA history that many fans, regardless of loyalty, were rooting for to make a run for an NBA championship. This team won a franchise-record 58 games and advanced the furthest they ever have in the NBA playoffs, which were the Western Conference Finals. The team was led by MVP Kevin Garnett who had a case for Defensive Player of the Year that season as well. Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell also averaged above 16.0 PPG each on the season.

The Timberwolves get yet another offensively gifted athlete to plug into their lineup with the addition of Anthony Edwards. After earning his first All-Star appearance in 2022-23, the third-year star averaged 24.6 PPG on a career-high 45.9% shooting overall and 36.9% from three. Would Edwards be enough to overcome the Lakers in that Western Conference Finals showdown? I truly think so, given how many issues Garnett already presented for them and the ability of Edwards to make things happen on his own. Who knows? Maybe the Timberwolves are NBA champions right now.

2007-08 New Orleans Pelicans

Starting Lineup: Chris Paul, Morris Peterson, Peja Stojakovic, Zion Williamson, David West

The New Orleans Pelicans are another one of the few remaining titless teams in NBA history. With that, we had to go with their 2007-08 team who was known as the Hornets at the time and won 56 games. They were led by MVP candidate Chris Paul, who averaged 21.1 PPG, 11.6 APG, and 2.7 SPG. David West was also a 20.0 PPG scorer for New Orleans that season and Peja Stojakovic averaged just over 16.0 PPG as well. The team would go on to lose in seven games to the Spurs in the second round of the playoffs that season.

In one of the riskiest moves on the entire list, the Pelicans will add Zion Williamson to their lineup making them one of the most intimidating forces in the NBA. Zion has been injured for most of his time in the NBA which is a huge concern but he may be worth the risk, considering what he produces when healthy. If they get a healthy Williamson, the Pelicans could be looking at their one and only championship team in franchise history.

1969-70 New York Knicks

Starting Lineup: Walt Frazier, Dick Barnett, Julius Randle, Dave DeBusschere, Willis Reed

The 1969-70 Knicks are one of two teams in franchise history to win 60 games in a season but they are the only ones to do so and win an NBA championship. It is no surprise as they were led by numerous Hall of Famers, starting off with the 1970 MVP, Willis Reed. Both Reed and Walt Frazier were 20.0 PPG scorers while Dick Barnett, Dave DeBusschere, and Bill Bradley all averaged over 14.0 PPG.

In this case, Bradley will be replaced by All-Star and rejuvenated Julius Randle. In 2022-23, Randle has the Knicks back in the NBA playoffs after averaging 25.1 PPG, 10.0 RPG, and 4.1 APG. Randle played 77 games at over 35.5 minutes per game meaning he would be a welcomed addition to the way they played in 1970. In my opinion, the Knicks would have maybe won more than two NBA championships in the early 70s with Julius Randle in their lineup.

2011-12 Oklahoma City Thunder

Starting Lineup: Russell Westbrook, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins

The 2011-12 Oklahoma City Thunder is a team shrouded in what could have been. Now, by no means is this team the greatest regular season team in franchise history having won 47 of 66 games in 2012. The team was led by the duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook with Durant averaging 28.0 PPG and Westbrook averaging 23.6 PPG as well as 5.5 APG and 1.7 SPG. The rest of the lineup includes Serge Ibaka who averaged 3.7 BPG that season and James Harden off the bench as the Sixth Man of the Year. Their run would eventually come to an end in the NBA Finals at the hands of the Miami Heat.

For the Thunder, the only current player we would feel right adding to their team is breakout star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In 2022-23, Shai had his best individual season yet with 31.4 PPG and 5.5 APG while shooting a career-high 51.0%. With his addition to this lineup, the Thunder certainly pose a bigger threat to the Heat than they did in 2012, but it may not be enough to overcome the Big 3 of Wade, LeBron, and Bosh still.

1994-95 Orlando Magic

Starting Lineup: Penny Hardaway, Nick Anderson, Paolo Banchero, Horace Grant, Shaquille O’Neal

The 1994-95 Orlando Magic may not be the best team in franchise history by their record but what they accomplished in the playoffs lands them here as the team to reconstruct. The 1994-95 Magic would win 57 games, two shy of the franchise record, and advance to the NBA Finals by eliminating the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. Yes, the Bulls with Michael Jordan on the floor. They were led by one of the best duos in basketball with Penny Hardaway and Shaq who were as difficult to stop as anybody when they got going.

With our addition to the 1994-95 Orlando Magic, and for the only time on this list, we have decided to go with a rookie. That rookie happens to be the consensus Rookie of the Year by the name of Paolo Banchero. After an impressive rookie season that saw him average 20.0 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 3.7 APG, Banchero looks to lead the Magic into a brighter future. With his addition to the 1994-95 squad, the Magic still falls to Houston in the Finals, considering how well Hakeem Olajuwon was playing and how little Orlando could do to stop him. Banchero’s addition does not change that.

1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers

Starting Lineup: Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Joel Embiid

With one look at the starting lineup for the 76ers in this situation, could they possibly be the best team on the list? The 1982-83 76ers were special and almost destined to win the NBA championship that season. They were led by newly acquired MVP Moses Malone and basketball icon Julius Erving who led the team to 65 wins during the regular season. It helped to have Maurice Cheeks and a man they named the Boston Strangler as guards as well. The team would sweep the Lakers in the NBA Finals that season, finally delivering a championship to Philly after 17 years.

The rich get richer in this simulation as the 76ers are gifted yet another big man perhaps about to become an MVP. Joel Embiid gives the 1983 76ers even more of a punch in the middle, alongside Moses Malone forming the greatest frontcourt ever assembled. Aside from the offensive onslaught, they will surely deliver, this lineup is also absolutely stacked on the defensive side of the ball as well. It looks like Malone’s “Fo Fo Fo’’ prediction will remain true and Embiid will win his first championship.

1992-93 Phoenix Suns

Starting Lineup: Kevin Johnson, Dan Majerle, Kevin Durant, Charles Barkley, Mark West

One of the more exciting teams to never win an NBA championship was the 1992-93 Phoenix Suns. The team would win 62 games that season led by newly acquired MVP Charles Barkley who averaged over 25.0 PPG and over 12.0 RPG for the season. Kevin Johnson and Dan Majerle each averaged over 16.0 PPG while Johnson dished out 7.8 APG and Majerle swiped 1.7 SPG. The Suns would advance to the NBA Finals against the Bulls who would dismiss them in six games as Michael Jordan averaged 41.0 PPG in the highest-scoring performance from a Finals MVP ever.

With this addition from the 2022-23 team, it may be what the Suns needed in 1993 to take down Jordan and the Bulls. Kevin Durant just had the most efficient season ever, averaging 29.1 PPG on 55/40/90 splits, the first player to ever do that in a season in NBA history. Durant would give the 1993 Suns that final offensive weapon they needed to combat the historic output from MJ. With Durant, Jordan’s Finals record could be 5-1 rather than the 6-0 he retired with.

1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers

Starting Lineup: Damian Lillard, Larry Steele, Bon Gross, Maurice Lucas, Bill Walton

For the Portland Trail Blazers, the easy and obvious choice was to go with the one championship team that they have had in 1977. Portland would become NBA champions behind the peak performances of Bill Walton and Maurice Lucas on their frontline. The Trail Blazers weren’t supposed to win that season with just 49 wins in the regular season to their name. Lucas was Portland’s only 20.0 PPG scorer while Walton averaged over 18.0 PPG, 14.0 RPG, and 3.0 BPG.

With their offensive output coming mostly from the paint, the addition of Damian Lillard to this championship lineup is perfect. Lillard is coming off a stellar 2022-23 season that saw him average 32.2 PPG and 7.3 APG on 46.3% shooting overall and 37.1% shooting from three. Being added to the 1977 roster makes this team already better than the team he is working with now which definitely leads to the first championship in Lillard’s career.

2001-02 Sacramento Kings

Starting Lineup: Mike Bibby, De’Aaron Fox, Peja Stojakovic, Chris Webber, Vlade Divac

The 2001-02 Sacramento Kings were one of the most exciting teams in the 2000s to watch. With some luck and referees going against them, this 61-win Kings team was robbed of a chance to compete for a championship. Chris Webber led the Kings to their best season in team history averaging 24.5 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 1.7 SPG, and 1.4 BPG. Peja Stojakovic was also a 20.0 PPG scorer who shot 41.6% from three.

With the addition of a 2022-23 player to their roster, we decided to give them just a bit more firepower from the guard position. De’Aaron Fox just had arguably the best season of his career so far, averaging 25.0 PPG, 6.1 APG, and 1.1 SPG. He was one of the most clutch players in the game this season as well and led the Kings to the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. With Fox, there is no doubt that this Kings team could have gotten past the Lakers and won their first NBA championship. Who said the Nets-Kings Finals wouldn’t be exciting?

2013-14 San Antonio Spurs

Starting Lineup: Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Keldon Johnson, Kawhi Leonard, Tim Duncan

The 2013-14 Spurs hardly need any help when it comes to being one of the more successful teams in league history. They were just the third team in franchise history to win at least 62 games which were surpassed by the 2015-16 team that won 67 games. The team was led by Tony Parker and Tim Duncan as their only scorers over 15.0 PPG and the defense of a young and still quite underrated Kawhi Leonard. This led the team to an NBA championship over the Miami Heat and the first of two Finals MVPs for Leonard.

For this addition, we could honestly plug anyone into their lineup, and they would still win a championship. We decided to give Keldon Johnson the nod after having a decent 2022-23 season. Johnson averaged 22.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 2.9 APG. Johnson’s career year as a scorer was not enough to overcome the clear desire to finish toward the bottom of the standings in order to compete for the services of Victor Wembanyama. With the 2014 team though, Johnson will have to worry about what size his ring finger is and tanking nowhere to be found.

2018-19 Toronto Raptors

Starting Lineup: Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam

It was just a measly five seasons ago that the Raptors walked their best lineup out on the court with two players remaining starters from that team. Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard were clearly the leaders for the 2019 Toronto Raptors as they went on an improbable run to win their first championship in franchise history. Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet were just beginning to break out as potential stars and Kawhi was in talks as the best player in the world after their miraculous run to the title.

Seeing as the two best players from today’s Raptors are already a part of the 2019 squad, the only logical choice is to add last year’s Rookie of the Year, Scottie Barnes. He nearly had an identical season to his rookie year, averaging 15.3 PPG (again), 6.6 RPG, 4.8 APG, and 1.1 SPG. Barnes will add another versatile forward alongside Kawhi and Siakam, leading us to believe the Raptors would be fully capable of being NBA champions once again. One question though, are the Warriors still injured in a redo?

1997-98 Utah Jazz

Starting Lineup: John Stockton, Jeff Hornacek, Lauri Markkanen, Karl Malone, Adam Keefe

The 1997-98 Utah Jazz was the closest we ever saw to a Michael Jordan team not being favored in an NBA Finals. The 1997-98 Jazz team won 62 games led by 27.0 PPG and 10.3 RPG from their reigning MVP Karl Malone. Jeff Hornacek and John Stockton were the only other two players to average at least 10.0 PPG for the season but they will get a ton of help from their current-day addition.

The 2022-23 breakout for Lauri Markkanen with the Utah Jazz was incredible to watch. Markkanen is likely the NBA’s Most Improved Player averaging 25.6 PPG and 8.6 RPG while shooting 49.9% overall and 39.1% from three. Of course, the Jazz missed the playoffs but adding Markkanen will give them an offensive weapon they so desperately need. However, when competing against that 1998 Bulls team, the Jazz still stand no chance against the GOAT.

1977-78 Washington Wizards

Starting Lineup: Phil Chenier, Bradley Beal, Bob Dandridge, Elvin Hayes, Wes Unseld

During the mid and late 70s, the Washington Bullets were either competing for or winning an NBA championship. They finally captured the only title in team history in 1978 in a battle over the Seattle SuperSonics. They were led by their dominant frontcourt with Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld each perfecting certain aspects of the game. Hayes and Bob Dandridge each averaged over 19.0 PPG for the Bullets that season while Unseld grabbed over 11.0 RPG as well.

For this pick, we seek to make every current Wizards fan and their most cherished franchise star at the moment happy. Bradley Beal will be our addition to the 1978 NBA champions. Beal would most likely immediately become a number one option for the Bullets on offense with his ability to both create and knock down difficult shots. In 2022-23, Beal averaged 23.2 PPG on 50.6% shooting from the field overall and 36.5% from three. With Beal joining the rotation, there is no way that the Bullets do not remain NBA champions that season. 

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