NBA: 5 Lineups That Will Look Completely Different at the Start of 2011-12

A staple of any winning basketball team is a strong starting lineup.  More often than not, a team with five solid contributors who can both start and finish games is one that can run the table in the league.

For example, though they lost the NBA Finals, the Miami Heat's starting lineup was easily one of the best in the league.

Yet—thanks to a little invention known as free agency—starting lineups can sometimes change year after year.  With some of the trades that happened on this year's draft night along with the multitude of free agents some teams have, it's a surefire bet that some teams will have lineups that are a far cry from what they once were.

Here are five NBA lineups that will be completely different than what they were last year.

Detroit Pistons

Last Year's Lineup:

PG: Rodney Stuckey

SG: Tracy McGrady/Richard Hamilton/Ben Gordon

SF: Tayshaun Prince

PF: Charlie Villanueva/Chris Wilcox

C: Greg Monroe

Next Year's Lineup:

PG: TBD

SG: Richard Hamilton/Ben Gordon

SF: TBD

PF: Charlie Villanueva

C: Greg Monroe

Now, let me be the first to say that the reason for all the inconsistencies surrounding Detroit's lineup(s) last year was not the fault of any of the players.  John Kuester was simply a horrible coach whose constant lineup shuffling didn't help production.  The team had no stability and no leader.

Though Kuester has since been fired, the experience of playing under him surely left bad tastes in the mouths of some of the players. With guys like Stuckey and Prince entering free agency, chances are the lineup will undergo a complete makeover.

Point guard will be a battle between Will Bynum and rookie Brandon Knight, while there's no telling how the small forward situation will be resolved.

Charlotte Bobcats

Last Year's Lineup:

PG: D.J. Augustin

SG: Stephen Jackson/Gerald Henderson

SF: Gerald Wallace/Stephen Jackson

PF: Boris Diaw

C: Kwame Brown/Nazr Mohammed

Next Year's Lineup:

PG: D.J. Augustin/Kemba Walker

SG: Gerald Henderson

SF: Corey Maggette

PF: Boris Diaw

C: TBD, perhaps Bismack Biyombo

One of the NBA's youngest teams, the Charlotte Bobcats' lineup next season will have a few returners.  However, it will still look completely different due to the trading of vocal shooter and leader Stephen Jackson.

On top of that, the situation at center is a giant question mark.  It could be newly drafted big man Bismack Biyombo, but his lack of offensive game could relegate him to the bench. 

Either way, this lineup will be one that could take a while to come together.

Milwaukee Bucks

Last Year's Lineup:

PG: Brandon Jennings

SG: John Salmons

SF: Carlos Delfino/Corey Maggette

PF: Luc Mbah a Moute/Drew Gooden

C: Andrew Bogut

Next Year's Lineup:

PG: Brandon Jennings

SG: Beno Udrih

SF: Stephen Jackson

PF: Drew Gooden

C: Andrew Bogut

Although subbing in two new players isn't exactly a complete overhaul, three of next year's projected starters are some of the top shooters in the NBA.  Jennings and Udrih will form a solid guard tandem, and Jackson will bring an electrifying presence to the Bucks' lineup.

On top of that, he will be a leader who just might get Milwaukee back into the playoffs.

Sacramento Kings

Last Year's Lineup:

PG: Beno Udrih

SG: Tyreke Evans/Marcus Thornton

SF: Francisco Garcia

PF: DeMarcus Cousins

C: Samuel Dalembert

Next Year's Lineup:

PG: TBD, perhaps Jimmer Fredette

SG: TBD

SF: John Salmons

PF: DeMarcus Cousins/J.J. Hickson

C: TBD

For the past few seasons, the biggest problem for the Kings has been lack of a leader.  This coming season, with some major changes coming to the lineup, the question remains as to who will take over that role.

Will Jimmer Fredette step up and become the electrifying star that made him a lottery pick?  Will Tyreke Evans find his old stride?  More importantly, who is going to man the middle?

Either way, the Kings have a great chance of improving next season. At this point, how well they do will come down to how the lineup shapes up.

New Orleans Hornets

Last Year's Lineup:

PG: Chris Paul

SG: Marco Belinelli/Willie Green

SF: Trevor Ariza

PF: David West

C: Emeka Okafor

Next Year's Lineup:

PG: Chris Paul

SG: TBD

SF: Trevor Ariza

PF: TBD

C: Emeka Okafor

This may not seem like a great difference in terms of what the lineup will look like next season, but the Hornets' situation is one that sets their lineup issues apart from those of other teams.  This offseason, the team could lose up to eight players via free agency, including Belinelli, Green and West.

To add insult to injury, the financial situation of the Hornets make it unlikely that any of those three will return, nor will any other big name free agents look to sign to play in the Big Easy.

Three men may be returning to the lineup, but how long each stays remains to be seen.