Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The 2022-23 NBA season is right around the corner. The Sixers are widely expected to contend for a championship, in large part due to their firepower in the frontcourt. Joel Embiid is a one-man wrecking crew, while Tobias Harris and new arrival P.J. Tucker are both players who can impact winning at the highest level.
We recently ranked every backcourt in the NBA to see where James Harden and Tyrese Maxey stood. Now, we’ve gone through all 30 starting frontcourts to see just how highly the Embiid-Harris-Tucker triumvirate ranks.
Let’s get the ball rolling…
30
Oklahoma City Thunder
30. Lu Dort & Darius Bazley & Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Thunder
The Chet Holmgren injury puts a sizable dent in OKC’s fledgling rotation. Without him, it will probably be another year of tanking for the top pick. Luguentz Dort, fresh off signing his lucrative extension, will once again be highly involved on both sides of the ball. He’s an elite wing defender and one of the few semi-reliable scorers on the roster. Darius Bazley and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl are interesting prospects, but neither should be playing big minutes for an NBA team right now.
29
Detroit Pistons
29. Saddiq Bey & Marvin Bagley III & Isaiah Stewart, Pistons
With Jerami Grant no longer in the mix, Detroit will need someone to pick up the scoring slack. While Cade Cunningham and top-five pick Jaden Ivey figure to do a lot of the heavy lifting, this season could also be a break-out opportunity for Saddiq Bey. The Villanova product has flashed impressive scoring chops at 6-foot-8, now it’s a matter of putting his best foot forward every night. Marvin Bagley looked right at home in Detroit over the second half of last season, while Isaiah Stewart’s hustle and forceful rim protection should make him a long-term piece. That said, the Pistons are still young and undeveloped as a whole.
28
Houston Rockets
28. Eric Gordon & Jabari Smith Jr. & Alperen Sengun, Rockets
Eric Gordon was quietly a very productive player for the tanking Rockets last season. If no contenders come knocking on the trade market, he will once again assume a critical role in the Houston offense. His 3-point volume and veteran savvy are important for such a young team built around slashing guards. Jabari Smith Jr. will provide 3-point shooting and immediate versatility on defense, while Alperen Sengun’s per-minute numbers last season hint at major offensive upside.
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