NBA Opening Week: Notable Starting Lineups and Key Player Movements

The 2024-25 NBA season has kicked off, and several teams have unveiled their starting lineups, reflecting significant offseason changes and strategic adjustments. Here are some of the notable lineups and player movements.

The New York Knicks are set to debut a new-look lineup featuring Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, who joined the team through offseason trades. This lineup is expected to make a significant impact, especially given Towns’ versatility and Bridges’ defensive prowess.

The Boston Celtics, on the other hand, are sticking with their NBA Finals Game 5 winning lineup from the previous season, indicating a level of continuity and confidence in their existing roster.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have made a key change with Julius Randle replacing Karl-Anthony Towns, who was traded to the Knicks. This move is expected to alter the team’s dynamic, especially with Randle’s scoring and rebounding abilities.

The Los Angeles Lakers will use the same starting five they employed in their Game 5 loss in the first round of last season’s playoffs. This consistency suggests the Lakers are banking on the chemistry and experience of their current lineup.

The Phoenix Suns are embracing the NBA’s trend of versatile, uniquely sized lineups. They will start the season with a lineup featuring Tyus Jones, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, and Jusuf Nurkic. This lineup highlights the team’s emphasis on positional flexibility and the ability to adapt to various matchups.

Other teams, like the New Orleans Pelicans, are experimenting with unconventional lineups, such as potentially starting without a traditional center. Herb Jones, a 6-foot-7 wing, could fill this role, showcasing the league’s shift towards more versatile and dynamic lineups.