(Editor’s note: These rankings have been updated to take into account the Knicks-Wolves trade.)

Anyone can name the best players in the NBA, but basketball is as much about chemistry as it is about talent. Within each of the league’s 30 teams there is a hierarchy, and how well each of the five players on the field understands and executes their role within that hierarchy is just as important as their individual skills.

Ideally, a lineup has a superstar, a respectful co-star, a third star who owns his role, a fourth option and a fifth starter to bring it all together – clear Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 In this series, we rank the top five players at each level for a broader look at the competition. How close does your team come to an ideal setup?

No. 1 options • No. 2 options • No. 3 options • No. 4 options • No. 5 options

“But you finished this project,” you tell yourself, “and I can’t imagine it getting any better.”

But by profiling the five best players at each level and ranking each team’s five options from 1-30, we’ve not only given you insight into 150 individuals, but also assessed each team’s starting lineup.

That’s right: we made the Power Rankings for the starting lineup right under your nose. What an Easter egg.

Astute readers will have noticed that the reigning champion Boston Celtics ranked every member of their starting five in the top five at each level. It was the strength of their team. They outscored their opponents by 11 points per 100 possessions during the regular season, then outscored them by more in the playoffs. They may not have the very best No. 1 pick, but they do have the top No. 4 pick And Five options, and that was enough to beat Luka Dončić’s Dallas Mavericks in a sport most often dominated by its superstars.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks are the only other teams to field multiple starters in the top five at each level. This group includes a total of three of the last four NBA champions and six of last season’s top eight teams in both conferences (at record levels).

So maybe the Power Rankings in the starting lineup are pretty reliable power rankings overall…

Can you quibble with the placement of some teams here? Sure, but can’t you quibble over any power rankings? At least this one came with five interpreters. The more you look at this graph, the clearer the NBA landscape becomes. You can quickly draw conclusions about each team at a glance, and we did that too.

• Boston Celtics: They should be firm favorites to repeat. And they are.

• Oklahoma City Thunder: Jalen Williams’ development as a co-star is everything.

• Minnesota Timberwolves: The trade of Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle dropped them from No. 2 to No. 3 on this list. Does the addition of Donte DiVincenzo make a difference?

• New York Knicks: Towns doesn’t just fill a glaring hole in the middle; he allows the Knicks to start Josh Hart, improving their starting lineup by eight spots in these rankings.

• Dallas Mavericks: When Klay Thompson turns back the clock…

• Denver nuggets: Losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was a bigger deal than I thought.

• Milwaukee Bucks: How Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton fell.

• New Orleans Pelicans: Solid across the board. Unbelievable if Zion Williamson is incredible.

• Cleveland Cavaliers: The development of Darius Garland could produce an outsider as a starting player.

• Phoenix Suns: Tyus Jones makes a world of difference.

• Golden State Warriors: If they can ever revive the 2022 NBA Finals, Andrew Wiggins.

• Memphis Grizzlies: A simple solution: Jaren Jackson Jr. on the 5 and a lot.

• Sacramento Kings: De’Aaron Fox is an All-Star. They need him to become a superstar.

• Philadelphia 76ers: If Joel Embiid is healthy. As Caleb Martin and Kelly Oubre Jr. be consistent. If.

• Orlando magic: Everyone in their lineup could rank higher by the end of the season. Orlando is on the rise.

• Indiana Pacers: They are one space – and another jump – away from Tyrese Haliburton.

• Miami heat: Small grid losses caused a large one.

• San Antonio Tracks: Small wins in the selection led to a big one.

• Los Angeles Lakers: That drop after LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

• Houston Rockets: Waiting for Jalen Green’s come-up.

• Los Angeles Clippers: By trading one large piece for a few smaller ones, their ceiling was lowered.

• Charlotte Hornets: A little love for Mark Williams.

• Portland Trail Blazers: At least they’re young.

• Chicago Bulls: Coby White went from their only shaky ending to their only bright spot very quickly.

• Atlanta Hawks: How good can you be when Trae Young is your No. 1 option?

• Brooklyn Nets: Cam Thomas and Dennis Schröder drive a bus. God help us.

• Toronto Raptors: Everyone has to get better. Everyone.

• Detroit pistons: Why would Tobias Harris pay $52 million to be No. 2 on a terrible team?

• Utah jazz: What have they accomplished by not trading Lauri Markkanen?

• Washington Wizards: Weft. (Would they give Jonas Valančiūnas to the Knicks?)

There it is. We fixed the NBA. They don’t even have to play the games now. Oh wait, that’s the best part. The training camp is there. The preseason is just around the corner. The regular season can’t come soon enough.

Now prove me wrong.