Ranking Western Conference starting lineups based on player impact ratings

Player Impact Estimates are an advanced stat that helps determine a player's value, though it can be highly debatable on a case-by-case basis.

May 26, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) controls the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the fourth quarter during game three of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

With roster shakeups all over the Western Conference, it's time to dive into each team and rank them based on projected starting lineups with a focus on combined Player Impact Estimate (PIE) ratings. Why PIE? It's an advanced metric that is designed to help determine a player's all-around game, including defense.

Before we unveil the rankings, it should be noted that defensive stars like Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels, Oklahoma City's Lu Dort and Memphis' Dillon Brooks have some of the lowest PIE ratings of any projected starter in the West, so take these with a grain of salt because we all know that McDaniels, Dort and Brooks are extremely valuable to their respective team's success.

Ranking West starters by PIE, 1-14

The data shows that the Mavericks, with the addition of Klay Thompson to the starting lineup, has the most PIE points entering the 2024-25 season. The Nuggets, even with the loss of Kentavius Caldwell-Pope, come in at No. 2. The Lakers, led by big marks from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, are No. 3

The Thunder are No. 4 thanks to a huge mark from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the addition of former Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein. The Timberwolves, fresh off a trip to the Western Conference Finals, are way down at No. 7, which is clearly due to McDaniels' low PIE rating.

Take a look at the overall rankings and team-by-team profiles below.

Team	Total PIE
1. Dallas Mavericks	65.7
2. Denver Nuggets	64.1
3. Los Angeles Lakers	64.0
4. Oklahoma City Thunder	61.6
5. Phoenix Suns	60.3
6. New Orleans Pelicans	59.6
7. Minnesota Timberwolves	59.2
8. Sacramento Kings	58.5
9. Memphis Grizzlies	57.5
10. Utah Jazz	55.7
11. Los Angeles Clippers	54.9
12. Houston Rockets	53.3
13. Portland Trail Blazers	52.8
13. Golden State Warriors	51.4
14. San Antonio Spurs	47.2

Dallas Mavericks: 65.7 total PIE

Player	PIE
Luka Doncic	20.0
Kyrie Irving	14.4
Klay Thompson	9.0
PJ Washington	7.4
Daniel Gafford	14.9

Denver Nuggets: 64.1 total PIE

Player	PIE
Jamal Murray	13.7
Christian Braun	8.4
Michael Porter Jr.	10.6
Aaron Gordon	10.3
Nikola Jokic	21.1

Golden State Warriors: 51.4 total PIE

Player	PIE
Steph Curry	14.0
Buddy Hield	7.9
Andrew Wiggins	7.8
Jonathan Kuminga	10.9
Draymond Green	10.8

Houston Rockets: 53.3 total PIE

Player	PIE
Fred VanVleet	11.8
Jalen Green	11.1
Dillon Brooks	5.6
Jabari Smith	9.9
Alperen Sengun	14.9

Los Angeles Clippers: 54.9 total PIE

Player	PIE
James Harden	13.1
Terance Mann	7.1
Kawhi Leonard	15.4
Derrick Jones Jr.	6.8
Ivica Zubac	12.5

Los Angeles Lakers: 64.0 total PIE

Player	PIE
D'Angelo Russell	10.3
Austin Reaves	10.5
LeBron James	16.9
Rui Hachimura	9.5
Anthony Davis	16.8

Memphis Grizzlies: 57.5 total PIE

Player	PIE
Ja Morant	15.7
Marcus Smart	8.3
Desmond Bane	12.8
Vince Williams	9.6
Jaren Jackson Jr.	11.1

Minnesota Timberwolves: 59.2 total PIE

Player	PIE
Mike Conley	11.5
Anthony Edwards	14.5
Jaden McDaniels	5.6
Karl-Anthony Towns	14.0
Rudy Gobert	13.6

New Orleans Pelicans: 59.6 total PIE

Player	PIE
Dejounte Murray	12.2
CJ McCollum	11.8
Brandon Ingram	12.6
Zion Williamson	14.5
Daniel Theis	8.5

Oklahoma City Thunder: 61.6 total PIE

Player	PIE
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	18.7
Jalen Williams	12.3
Lu Dort	6.0
Chet Holmgren	13.3
Isaiah Hartenstein	11.3

Phoenix Suns: 60.3 total PIE

Player	PIE
Bradley Beal	10.6
Devin Booker	14.2
Grayson Allen	8.7
Kevin Durant	14.8
Jusuf Nurkic	12.0

Portland Trail Blazers: 52.8 total PIE

Player	PIE
Scoot Henderson	6.7
Anfernee Simons	11.1
Deni Avdija	10.9
Jerami Grant	10.0
Deandre Ayton	14.1

Sacramento Kings: 58.5 total PIE

Player	PIE
De'Aaron Fox	12.8
Kevin Huerter	7.7
DeMar DeRozan	12.9
Keegan Murray	8.2
Domantas Sabonis	16.9

San Antonio Spurs: 47.2 total PIE

Player	PIE
Chris Paul	11.6
Stephon Castle	N/A
Devin Vassell	11.2
Jeremy Sochan	8.2
Victor Wembanyama	16.2

Utah Jazz: 55.7 total PIE

Player	PIE
Keyonte George	8.1
Collin Sexton	12.0
Lauri Markkanen	13.6
John Collins	11.1
Walker Kessler	10.9