Ranking Western Conference starting lineups based on player impact ratings
![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 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](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_7591,h_4269,x_0,y_631/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/all_timberwolves/01j2cak6dmqvn08nyzn1.jpg)
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 |