Isaac Leeper
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren are looking to win their first NBA Championship together.
It seems that almost every year there is a new power duo waiting to take the NBA by storm. This inevitability sparks discussion and debate on who the best duo in the league is. In this article, I’m going to analyze every major duo in the league and put them in categories where I see fit. These rankings will not include duos that are part of a big three, as the presence of a third superstar dramatically changes the production of the other two.
Teams Not Up For Rankings Due To Having A Big Three:
Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porziņģis
Philadelphia 76ers: Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid
Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle
New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns
Sacramento Kings: DeMar DeRozan, De'Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis
New Orleans Pelicans: Dejounte Murray, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson
Phoenix Suns: Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, Devin Booker
Teams That Don’t Really Have A Big Two:
Atlanta Hawks: With the departure of Dejounte Murray, the Hawks have only Trae Young to rely on for this upcoming season. On a more positive note, Atlanta does have a young cast of supporting players who could push the team to a play-in spot.
Brooklyn Nets: Cam Thomas is the Nets’ best player. He himself isn’t a superstar yet, and he is surrounded by role players like Ben Simmons.
Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball doesn’t really have a star who complements him; the second-best player on his team, Miles Bridges, is decent, but I don’t believe he has achieved the level of stardom required to reach my rankings.
Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham has shown to be the centerpiece of the Pistons roster that doesn’t flash any signs of a winning season. This may be a harsh statement as the Pistons have one of the youngest teams in the league. I still don’t think they will be great this year, but if they continue developing Isaiah Stewart and maybe trade for an established star, they may see the playoffs in a couple of years.
Golden State Warriors: After the departure of longtime Warriors legend, Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry and the Warriors find themselves at the start of a rebuild. As Curry’s time in the league dwindles down, the team’s front office needs to find a second star quickly to accompany Stephen Curry and perhaps win one more title for the city of San Francisco.
Houston Rockets: A case could be made that there is a duo between Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün, but I believe it’s too early to tell. They almost led the Rockets to a playoff berth until they lost to the Mavericks 147-136. This team does have potential and will try to show it in this upcoming year.
Portland Trail Blazers: Another team with a young roster, 25-year-old Anfernee Simons is clearly the motor of the Trail Blazers offense. A duo can potentially develop between his backcourt partner, Scoot Henderson, albeit with time, due to the fact they are so young. They also have great depth at the center position, composed of Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams III, Donovan Clingan, and Duop Reath. It may be in the team’s best interest to trade one of them for future assets, but it is uncertain which one. Deandre Ayton might be too valuable to give up, Williams III is a great defensive player but is too injury-prone to accumulate interest, Clingan is a rookie, and Duop Reath isn’t worth much. Overall, this team has a lot of work to do if they want to even think of reaching the play-in tournament.
Toronto Raptors: Toronto is a team that has fallen from grace since their championship year in 2019, going 41-41 in 2022 and 25-57 in 2023. Their best player is Scottie Barnes, surrounded by players who would be on the bench anywhere else. Like many other teams on this list, they are in the middle of a rebuild. The biggest weakness on their roster is probably center, a position currently owned by veteran Jakob Poeltl. He’s pretty good and does his job, but I believe the Raptors need to invest in a center with a little more star power.
Utah Jazz: This team is not looking good. All they have is Lauri Markkanen to carry this team for the third straight year. It is clear they are in the middle of a rebuild and trying to start a youth movement, but it’s going to take a while.
Washington Wizards: Another hot mess. Jordan Poole is a diva role, and Kyle Kuzma is a role player on any other team in my eyes. Expect another high lottery pick.
The Potentials:
San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs gained a veteran playmaker in the off-season, signing 39-year-old Chris Paul to a one-year deal. This move brings a strong presence into the locker room and is a player who can take the reins of the Gregg Popovich offense which runs through their franchise gem, Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama, the reigning rookie of the year, put the team on his back and now has someone who can create space and pass him the ball more effectively.
Chicago Bulls: During the off-season, Chicago acquired Josh Giddey from a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Giddey, averaging 12 points, six rebounds, and five assists last season, asked for a trade out of Oklahoma City as he felt like his skills were being overshadowed by franchise players Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He will find himself with a bigger role on the team, being paired with star Zach LaVine.
The Established:
Cleveland Cavaliers: Going into their third year together, Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are looking to return to the playoffs again after being bounced out last year by the eventual champion, Boston Celtics. The backcourt duo both scored well, with Mitchell averaging 27 points per game and Garland with 18 points per game. If the Cleveland front office can continue to develop a third star player, such as Evan Mobley, they have potential to be a big problem in the Eastern Conference.
Dallas Mavericks: Last year, Luka Dončić experienced his first NBA finals series along with his sidekick, Kyrie Irving. Irving, a playmaker last year, had five assists per game, while Dončić took control of the majority of Dallas’ scoring, averaging an astounding 34 points per game. With the addition of the aging veteran Klay Thompson, you can expect the Mavericks to wreak havoc beyond the three point arc.
Denver Nuggets: Only a year removed from the franchise’s first championship, three-time MVP Nikola Jokić is getting ready to suit up with his partner in crime, Jamal Murray, to begin the Finals hunt. Jokic, arguably the most handy player of all time (26 points per game, 12 rebounds per game, nine assists per game), can do anything on the court.
Indiana Pacers: A once mediocre team is now one with the special duo of Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. Halliburton has become a household name for fans around the league as he led the Pacers to their first playoff appearance since 2014, averaging 20 points and 11 assists. Siakam complements Halliburton's play and provides a big target to get to, as he averaged 21 points in his 41 games so far with the Pacers.
Los Angeles Clippers: So far, the collaboration between James Harden and Kawhi Leonard hasn’t been anything spectacular. They were fourth in the Western Conference last year but got bounced in the first round by Dallas.
Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James and Anthony Davis are running it back a fifth time together in a partnership that has resulted in one championship in 2020. If Anthony Davis stays healthy, it will take off pressure for an aging LeBron to put the team on his back.
Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant didn’t get to play more than nine games last season with his partner Jaren Jackson Jr. due to his controversies over Instagram Live that got him suspended for multiple games. This year is crucial for this dynamic duo to prove that Memphis is a real competitor in the Western Conference.
Miami Heat: Tyler Herro has been a respectable partner for Jimmy Butler. In his five-year career, he has averaged 18 points, while Jimmy Butler has averaged around 21 points within the same timeframe. This effort from both of them has led to two finals appearances in five years.
Milwaukee Bucks: Damian Lillard provided a respectable partnership to two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, helping the team go 49-33, taking third place in the Eastern Conference. In order for the Bucks to continue flourishing, however, they need to find more youthful and dynamic prospects to add to the team. I say this because the Bucks are one of the oldest teams in the league with an average age of 28.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Although very young, the Oklahoma City Thunder has shown huge flashes of the championship team they could be. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, the Thunder went an impressive 57-25, achieving the #1 seed in the Western Conference. Perhaps this is the season the Oklahoma City Thunder establish themselves as a threat to the Boston Celtics in the East.
Orlando Magic: This may be an unusual statement, but the Orlando Magic have a decent chance this season to break 50 wins, having been led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Banchero averaged 23 points per game last season, while Wagner scored about 20 points per game himself. It is unique how the Orlando Magic roster is compiled as they rely on their two best players, who are forwards, compared to the typical guard-forward relationship.
My Final Thoughts on Who Is the Best Duo in the League:
There are 13 real duos in the NBA, and the best one is Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Oklahoma front office is one of the best as we see their star players blossom before our very eyes. The scary part about this team is not only their duo but who they could add as a third star, considering they have a whopping five first-round picks in the 2025 NBA draft. This team clearly has one of the biggest championship windows ever seen and you could bet your top dollar that there will be a parade in Oklahoma City very soon.
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