Dark horse
The dark horse lineup: De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Harrison Barnes, Nemanja Bjelica, Richaun Holmes
While missing some big names in Bagley and Hield, this lineup brings a unique set of challenges for the opposition. With Fox running the game as the primary ball-handler, Halliburton can play his preferred off-ball role, acting as the intermediary, keeping the play alive and distributing the rock to the right place.
Barnes at small forward has shown the ability to score in the halfcourt when the momentum is gone. His post up and iso plays were a much-needed factor last year. At power forward, Bjelicia can spread the floor. An efficient 42 percent 3-point shooter that draws a defender every time is an extremely valuable asset.
Defensively, Richaun Holmes will bring the energy in the paint. The interior enforcer will need to lock it down as his partner Bjelecia is liable to get posterised every second game or so. Offensively Holmes was also one of the most efficient paint scorers last year, shooting 65 percent, not bad at all.
This lineup would mean Hield moves to the 6th man role, bringing much-needed scoring to the bench. This allows Halliburton to play alongside Fox which is a very intriguing partnership, to say the least.
Bagley would also move to the bench which makes this lineup very unlikely to be a starting team right now. But if Bagley can add some muscle and learn how to defend bigs then there’s no reason he can’t replace Holmes.