Take a closer look at the best duos for the 2023-24 season featuring the new duo of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks.
With the news of a Damian Lillard trade breaking on Wednesday afternoon, the NBA, its fans, and all 30 teams were turned on their heads. The world reacted in shock and awe as we saw two of the great superstars in the league right now come together to form a powerhouse duo that immediately made the Milwaukee Bucks the favorites for the 2023-24 NBA championship according to Vegas. With the news that Lillard was heading to Milwaukee, many began to speculate if this was now the NBA’s best duo, and it got heated.
Recently, we ranked all 30 teams and their “Big 3’s” for the 2023-24 season. With the Lillard move to Milwaukee, we found it only fitting that we do the same once again, this time with the NBA’s best duos. The league’s latest pair with championship aspirations certainly makes a case to be placed atop the list but there are also some that already exist vying for that spot, and they won’t give it up without a fight.
As we examine the top duos from every NBA team, we will be ranking them based on primarily two things. The first is what they have accomplished individually and on the court together. The next will be the potential of what they could do together on the court in the coming 2023-24 season. As we go through our list, the decisions keep getting more and more difficult and the rankings get more and more tense.
These are the best duos for the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season.
30. LaMelo Ball And Miles Bridges – Charlotte Hornets
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I know this ranking is going to seem far too low considering the last time we saw this duo together, the Hornets were a play-in team. That was two seasons ago and too much has happened during that time for me to have the confidence in them to place them any higher than 30th in the NBA right now.
LaMelo Ball is coming off a 2022-23 season in which he played just 36 games and averaged 23.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game. The injuries were a concern for Ball who has had some light issues before last season but fought through them and performed extremely well. The 2021 Rookie of the Year has improved every season of his young career so far but I fear he will struggle to adjust to a new coaching regime yet again in Charlotte as well as the ever-revolving door that their roster seems to be.
Miles Bridges is coming off a season in which he didn’t play at all due to legal issues off the court. While he was on his way to a big payday before the situation went down with his ex-girlfriend, An entire year away from the game can be detrimental to one’s continued growth on the court. With 20.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in 80 appearances in 2021-22, the Hornets are hoping they can get even half of that from Bridges this season.
29. Cade Cunningham And Jaden Ivey – Detroit Pistons
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Over the last few seasons, I have learned to temper my expectations when it comes to the Detroit Pistons. Every time I think they are ready to step out from the shadows and back into contention, something derails those predictions and I am left looking foolish. That is exactly what happened in 2022-23 with the injury to Cade Cunningham just 12 games into the season. Through 12 games, Cunningham looked fantastic with 19.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game but another setback did not allow us to see him reach his full second-year leap.
Meanwhile, Jaden Ivey stepped in and had a fantastic rookie season. Ivey would start 73 games for Detroit in 2022-23 and average 16.3 points and 5.2 assists per game on 41.6% shooting from the field. The prospect of watching this backcourt continue to evolve on the court together is an exciting one for sure, and they could end up cracking the top 15 by season’s end. For right now, they remain toward the bottom mainly based on only 12 games spent on the court together.
28. Mikal Bridges And Cameron Johnson – Brooklyn Nets
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When Cameron Johnson and Mikal Bridges came over to the Brooklyn Nets in the deal that sent Kevin Durant to Phoenix, they surprised everybody by continuing to lead the Brooklyn Nets into the playoffs for the remainder of the year. Bridges was the biggest surprise, stepping out from behind the Suns’ Big 3’s shadow and performing like an All-Star.
For the final 27 games of the season, Bridges averaged 16.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game on 47.5% shooting overall and 37.6% shooting from three. The Nets would go just 12-15 in those games but it was clear that the former All-Defensive Team selection could be their star moving forward. He tapped into a part of his offensive game not many knew he was capable of, proving that he could be relied upon when it mattered most for Brooklyn.
Cameron Johnson had only played 17 games with the Suns before the trade went down as he nursed a knee injury from the season prior. He would then start 25 games with the Nets and averaged 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. He also shot 37.2% from three after shooting well over 40.0% in the previous two years. With a full and healthy offseason, I expect Johnson to tap right back into his sharpshooting that made him such a weapon in the desert, and possibly make me eat my words having them ranked as the 28th=best duo in the NBA.
27. Anfernee Simons And Shaedon Sharpe – Portland Trail Blazers
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With one era coming to an end in Portland thanks to the trade of Damian Lillard, another one must begin. That era is likely to be headlined by young stars Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe. Portland is clearly fond of Simons as a scorer and playmaker who can help ease the transition into life after Lillard. However, the jury is still out on his supporting cast.
Simons has broken through over the last two seasons with the Trail Blazers, averaging 19.3 points and 4.0 assists per game on 44.5% shooting during that time. He has even shown off his ability to shoot from three with a 38.9% conversion rate on 8.4 attempts. Simons has been confident in his abilities to help turn the franchise around, whether that was going to be with or without Lillard.
Now that Lillard is out, a second star to add to this duo is needed. Shaedon Sharpe certainly showed promise off the bench for Portland in his rookie season in 2022-23. Over the course of his last 20 games in 2022-23, Sharpe averaged 15.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game on 47.1% shooting, showing that the transition to the number-two option may not be as painful as it once looked. I do not expect this duo to turn Portland into a playoff team overnight but I do expect them to be a formidable and higher-ranked duo in 2024-25 and beyond.
26. Fred VanVleet And Jalen Green – Houston Rockets
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The Houston Rockets set out this summer to spend big and make some upgrades to their roster, hoping to get out of the basement of the NBA. One of the big free-agent moves they made was bringing in Fred VanVleet from the Houston Rockets to take over their starting point guard duties. VanVleet brings veteran leadership and championship experience that the Rockets desperately need in order to take their next steps but how much does it really move the needle?
VanVleet is a decent outside shooter with great instincts and leadership qualities on the court. Pairing him in the backcourt with a still-developing Jalen Green could work wonders for Green’s development. In 2022-23, Green’s second season in the NBA, he averaged 22.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game on 41.6% shooting and just 33.8% from three. Hopefully, the veteran in VanVleet can temper Green’s poor shot selection and Green can learn how to play team ball. If not, it could be another long year for the Rockets and their fans.
25. Lauri Markkanen And Jordan Clarkson – Utah Jazz
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The Utah Jazz were one of the pleasant surprises for some time during the 2022-23 season before inconsistency and injuries caught up to them in the end and they missed the NBA playoffs. This resurgence of sorts was brought on by the emergence of Lauri Markkanen as an All-Star, and the NBA’s Most Improved Player.
Markkanen’s breakout season was highlighted by 66 games played with 25.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. These were all new career-highs for the Utah forward as was his 49.9% shooting percentage. His 39.1% shooting from three was the second-best shooting season from beyond the arc in his career. Markkanen’s improvement made the Jazz a much more formidable opponent than anticipated after the departures of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert last offseason.
Another pleasant surprise for the Jazz was Clarkson’s performance in his return to the starting lineup. The former Sixth Man of the Year started all 61 games he appeared in and averaged a career-high 20.8 points per game along with 4.4 assists per game while shooting 44.4% from the field. Along with their young core of Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, and others, this Jazz duo could have the Jazz fighting for a spot in the NBA’s play-in tournament if all goes well for them in 2023-24.
24. Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma – Washington Wizards
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At number 25, we have a new and surprising duo ready to usher in a new era of Washington Wizards basketball. Kyle Kuzma returned to Washington this summer in free agency after having a career season in 2022-23. In 64 games last year, Kuzma averaged 21.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game on 44.8% shooting but the Wizards struggled mightily to a 35-47 record on the season, good for 12th in the Eastern Conference.
Although the team would lose superstar Bradley Beal to an offseason trade, they would gain a young and rising player in Jordan Poole from the Golden State Warriors. Poole comes in with a chip on his shoulder after seemingly being forced out of Golden State after a fight with teammate Draymond Green got their 2022-23 season off to a shaky start.
Poole comes in to join Kuzma as two players with championship-winning experience looking to bolster this Washington lineup. Last season, Poole gave the Warriors 82 appearances and 43 starts with 20.4 points per game on 43.0% shooting and 33.6% shooting from three. As a full-time starter alongside Kuzma, it will be interesting to see where he improves, and where he regresses, over the course of the entire season.
23. Tyrese Haliburton And Myles Turner – Indiana Pacers
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While the Indiana Pacers are enjoying an offseason that has propelled them to rank as a sleeper playoff team in 2023-24, I am not sold on the duo of Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton just yet. Haliburton was incredible in 2022-23, averaging a career-high 20.7 points and 10.4 assists per game. He would miss 26 games due to injury which was concerning and ultimately thwarted any chance of Indiana competing for a playoff spot.
With the addition of Haliburton, Myles Turner also enjoyed his best offensive season ever recorded. He upped his previous career-high of 14.5 points per game to 18.0 in 2022-23 while grabbing 7.5 rebounds and blocking 2.3 shots per game. Oh, and he shot a career-high 54.8% from the field, another result of Haliburton’s playmaking s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s no doubt.
This duo has all of the potential in the world to elevate the Pacers into contention for a playoff spot. I just think it will take slightly more than this season to develop to that level.
22. Victor Wembanyama And Keldon Johnson – San Antonio Spurs
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The San Antonio Spurs had the offseason of a lifetime without any major trades going through or any big-name free agents choosing to sign with them. That is because they landed the most talented and hyped prospect since LeBron James when they made Victor Wembanyama their first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Wembanyama is already being tabbed as the franchise’s next David Robinson or Tim Duncan. His s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 set is limitless with his unbelievable ability to handle the ball, create his own shot, and shoot efficiently from any spot on the court. Now, it will be put to the test in the best league in the world, the NBA. Hey, there has to be something to every expert in the world saying this player has GOAT potential on both offense and defense, right?
The silent x-factor for San Antonio will be the effect Wembanyama’s presence has on Keldon Johnson. In 2022-23, Johnson has a tremendous showing for the obviously tanking Spurs. He recorded a career-high 22.0 points per game on 45.2% shooting in 63 games for the season. Johnson’s fifth season has the chance to be even better with all of the attention on and off the court being shifted toward Wembanyama. All Johnson has to do to make this duo crack the top 20 is answer this challenge head-on and shift his play toward that of winning basketball rather than a team looking to lose.
21. Pascal Siakam And Scottie Barnes – Toronto Raptors
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I know it is a little weird for an All-Star and All-NBA player to fall outside the top 20 of any list but that has to be the case with this Toronto Raptors duo. Pascal Siakam has been their best player over the last four seasons, showcasing his all-around s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s as a ball-handler, playmaker, scorer, and passer. There is no doubt that a winning team can be built around him, the Raptors have just failed to do so just yet.
One of the reasons for their limited success in 2022-23 was the stagnant season they got from Scottie Barnes. The 2021 Rookie of the Year was supposed to officially break out for the Raptors but instead left them concerned due to his lack of improvement across the board. This leaves an important season ahead for Barnes who must show he is ready to take the next step at the NBA level. Otherwise, the Raptors are going to regret not dangling Barnes for Damian Lillard in a trade with Portland.
The 2023-24 season for the Raptors is one that is important across the board for the entire organization one year after dismissing head Coach Nick Nurse and remaining quite stagnant on the free agency and trade front. If they are to instill any faith in this team, Siakam and Barnes will need to lead the charge into the next era of Raptors basketball.
20. Paolo Banchero And Franz Wagner – Orlando Magic
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One of the youngest yet most promising duos on this list is the duo from the Orlando Magic, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Coming off a 2022-23 Rookie of the Year season and the first 20.0 points per game rookie season since LeBron James in 2004, Paolo Banchero’s stock is rising with every passing day. Despite being a rookie in 2022-23, Banchero showed he is wise beyond his years and can be the leader for a Magic team building toward playoff contention.
Adding his style of play to that of Franz Wagner is a match made in heaven. Wagner is a Swiss Army knife on the court whose only criticism is shot selection and efficiency. In their second full season together, wrinkles like that should be ironed out quickly between him and Banchero. The Orlando Magic are widely believed to have one of the most promising young cores in the NBA led by Banchero and Wagner. Although the playoffs may be a season or two away, they weren’t even a thought in the minds of Magic fans before their arrival.
19. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander And Josh Giddey Oklahoma City Thunder
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To be honest, this duo for the Oklahoma City Thunder could almost include Chet Holmgren instead of Josh Giddey. However, due to the uncertainty when it comes to how Holmgren will perform or his overall health, Giddey remains the other half of their best duo for now. The first half of that duo is solidified as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has begun his superstar ascension right before our eyes.
It was the season of a lifetime for Shai as he earned All-Star and All-NBA Team honors for the first time in his young career. He is clearly the leader of this young and talented Thunder team with 31.4 points and 5.5 assists on 51.0% shooting in 2022-23. His growth as not only a scorer but as a willing playmaker as well has made him one of the top guards in the entire league.
Giddey has served as the perfect complement to Gilgeous-ALexander’s game. Giddey’s IQ has been his best attribute heading into his third season as well as his flashes of being a jack of all trades on the court. Giddey’s 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game in 2022-23 were a big reason why the Thunder made a run toward the play-in tournament last season despite being projected as one of the NBA’s worst teams heading into the season. If these two continue to fire on all cylinders, I expect them and the Thunder to be ranked much higher by midseason.
18. Trae Young And Dejounte Murray – Atlanta Hawks
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The Atlanta Hawks duo of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray had all of the buzz heading into the 2022-23 season. As the year unfolded, another coach was fired, and a first-round playoff exit turned out to be their ceiling, that buzz died down tremendously. Young had another quietly good season with 26.2 points and 10.2 assists per game but clashes with coaching staff and a severe dip in efficiency overshadowed those numbers completely.
Young is undoubtedly one of the best scoring/playmaking guards in the NBA right now, especially when it comes to getting his frontcourt involved. Murray has been seen as a great complement to Young due to his defensive play and can help back up Young’s deficiencies in that area. Now, under new leadership, perhaps these predictions can begin to come to fruition.
Something has to give for this Hawks duo with unlimited promise. Murray can hopefully be more of an offensive force next to Young, taking some of the pressure he had to bear in 2022-23. Young can also continue to be an elite scorer and playmaker while dialing it back on the bad shot selection he tends to get overwhelmed with at times. If these two can figure it out under Head Coach Quin Snyder, the Hawks will be a playoff contender and shock everyone with a 2021-like deep playoff run.
17. Jalen Brunson And Julius Randle – New York Knicks
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When it comes to duos heading into the 2023-24 season, the duo at the head of the New York Knicks is almost dead center in the middle of the pack. The Knicks shocked everyone in 2022-23 when they advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs and fought valiantly against the Miami Heat. Now, with even higher expectations from fans, Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle must take the next steps in their journey.
For Brunson, those steps are a little easier as it was his play that really elevated them to their status as a legitimate contender last season. Brunson’s ability to take over games as both a scorer and facilitator is something the Knicks have been missing for nearly 25 years. The effect Brunson’s play had on Julius Randle was evident as well with the former Most Improved player having his second All-Star season in a Knicks uniform averaging 25.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.
For this duo to take these next steps, it comes down to their performance together in the playoffs. Not one outshining the other but both carrying over their success in the regular season to the games that matter most. This could be the missing piece that is the difference between a Conference Finals berth and another first or second-round exit.
16. DeMar DeRozan And Zach LaVine – Chicago Bulls
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The Chicago Bulls have one of their most interesting seasons ahead, and it all boils down to the duo of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. Heading into the 2023-24 season, not many are expecting these two to be able to get Chicago basketball back on track. Reported rifts between players and the Chicago front office as well as swirling trade rumors have not made things any easier.
There is no denying the talent that both of these players have individually. The problem lies with how well they work together as a unit. When ego is involved, it can 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 a team to the point they almost fall into irrelevancy, and that is clearly a part of the issue here. Instead of one player trying to be known as “the guy”, these two need to come together and figure out what it is going to take to win as a team. Only when that is fixed can we begin to expect real change.
On talent alone. DeRozan and LaVine are one of the best duos in the NBA. The problem is that talent alone has never won NBA championships.
15. Zion Williamson And Brandon Ingram – New Orleans Pelicans
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The NBA duo that sits directly in the middle of our rankings is also the duo with the most questions heading into 2023-24. Let’s start with the elephant in the room which is Zion Williamson’s health. According to social media posts and reports, Williamson is healthy and has been in the gym all offseason preparing for yet another comeback in 2023-24. The last time we saw Williamson healthy and able to play at least 60 games, he averaged 26.0 points per game on over 60.0% shooting in 2021.
In the last two seasons, however, Williamson has played just 29 games with foot issues derailing the start of his career. When healthy, he is one of the best forwards in the game and capable of making the Pelicans a legitimate contender. Now, he has to just stay on the court. This brings me to Brando Ingram. Ingram’s ceiling is a Kevin Durant-like output similar to that of what he did in the 2021-22 playoffs against Phoenix. After a disappointing 2023, this is the version of Ingram New Orleans needs to show up.
The potential for this duo is limitless. They could easily be top 10 on our list had it not been for the setbacks they have experienced over the last two years. I am operating under the assumption they are healthy this season which could spell trouble for the rest of the NBA. When these two figure it out and build the chemistry that comes with time together on the court, the results will be the best seasons in Pelicans history.
14. Anthony Edwards And Karl-Anthony Towns – Minnesota Timberwolves
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In 2022-23, we got just a small taste of what was possible from Anthony Edwards without Karl-Anthony Towns on the court. Edwards showed that he is a budding two-way superstar averaging 24.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He is emerging as the clear leader of this team at just 22 years old which bodes well for a franchise that had none just a few seasons ago.
The success of this duo will hinge on Karl-Anthony Towns. First, his willingness to take a back seat to Edwards will be crucial. At this time, I do not believe there should be any argument over who is the clear-cut best option for this team moving forward, It’s Edwards but whether Towns can get on board with that remains to be seen.
The other issue is Towns actually staying on the court. Minnesota was able to get to the playoffs behind Edwards but was stopped there due to Towns’ still adjusting to being back in the NBA environment after missing 53 games. I have no doubt that these two can and will get on the same page in 2023-24. If they do, I expect Minnesota to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference.
13. Ja Morant And Jaren Jackson Jr. – Memphis Grizzlies
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The duo of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. for the Memphis Grizzlies is one we will have to wait to see for at least 25 games in 2023-24. After Morant’s suspension is up though, we have a clear understanding of where they will stand. Most thought that the Grizzlies were bound to fall off this past season after their surprising upswing in 2021-22. They answered that call with another MVP-level season from Morant and a Defensive Player of the Year season from Jackson.
Jackson’s anchoring of their defense along with the acquisition of Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose lead me to believe that, at the very least, Memphis will be able to keep its head above water without Morant. With his return, they are getting an elite scorer and playmaker who has shown zero signs of regression in terms of his play on the court.
This duo is young and has a chance to make some real noise in a loaded Western Conference despite so many rooting for them to fail. Jackson needs to cut back on his fouls and stay out of trouble on the court while Morant just has to stay out of trouble. If they can, Memphis, in my eyes, is still a top-five team in the West led by one of the best young duos in the entire NBA.
12. Donovan Mitchell And Darius Garland – Cleveland Cavaliers
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One year ago, we didn’t have the chance to rank this duo in our top 30 as they had not yet come together. After one season in Cleveland alongside each other, I think it is safe to say they are knocking on the door of the top 10. It all started with the play of Mitchell who had the best season of his young career with 28.3 points per game on 48.4% shooting from the field.
With an expected step back in production, Garland got even better in 2022-23, averaging 21.6 points, 7.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game on 41.0% shooting from three. The two put to rest all of the concerns about their perimeter defense during the regular season as they led Cleveland to 51 wins and the fourth seed in the East. Despite a disappointing finish in the NBA playoffs, there is a lot to look forward to in 2023-24.
The only thing looming over their heads seems to be the impending offseason drama that is to come with Donovan Mitchell hitting free agency. In the meantime, this team has the potential to do special things before that becomes an issue in 2023-24. Garland and Mitchell are clearly one of the better backcourts in basketball with Garland’s willingness as a passer and Mitchell’s talent as a scorer. If they can put aside the noise and continue to improve together on the court, I expect the Cavaliers to be right back in the thick of contention in 2023-24.
11. De’Aaron Fox And Domantas Sabonis – Sacramento Kings
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In 2022-23, the duo of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis did something no other Kings duo was able to do over the last 17 seasons, leading them to the NBA playoffs. The magical season was led by Fox who won the NBA’s inaugural Clutch Player of the Year award. He led the NBA in scoring in the fourth quarter while averaging 25.0 points, 6.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, earning his first All-Star selection.
Sabonis was just as important to their season that ended with the third seed in the West at 48-34. Sabonis would lead the NBA in rebounding with 12.3 rebounds per game while tapping into his complete offensive arsenal with 19.1 points and 7.3 assists per game as well. Opponents had no answer for the NBA’s newest pick-and-roll duo who look as if their chemistry will be here to stay for years to come.
The only thing this elite Kings duo has to do is continue to build their chemistry together on the court. They are clearly talented enough as a unit to deliver exactly what the Kings need to remain contenders, and they will only get better with the continued development of their young players such as Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter. I expect this Kings duo to be knocking down the door of the top 10 and to have the Kings right back in the thick of contention in 2023-24.
10. Joel Embiid And James Harden – Philadelphia 76ers
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Okay, I am just as confused as you are when it comes to Joel Embiid and James Harden as a duo. One, Harden may not even be a member of the 76ers by the time 2023-24 starts with all signs and actions pointing to him wanting out as soon as possible. Meanwhile, this duo created magic on the court together last season, even if it did end with another disappointing second-round exit in the playoffs.
Embiid clearly had the better season of the two, winning MVP and his second straight scoring title with 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game on 54.8% shooting. Harden backed him up perfectly as well with 21.0 points per game of his own as well as a league-leading 10.7 assists per game.
While they would be a little higher on this list if circumstances were different, the uncertainty of Harden’s future drops them down to number 10. If they were to stay together, I would expect another great season from them, and in turn the 76ers as a whole. Unfortunately, I expect the drama and distraction to linger a little longer. After all, it is James Harden and the 76ers.
9. Kawhi Leonard And Paul George – Los Angeles Clippers
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I do not know about you, but I am sick and tired of hearing about how good Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are, or could be, “when healthy”. It has been three seasons since we saw them both fully able to perform on the court which ended in a 3-1 series lead being blown in the 2020 playoffs. Since that time, one or both of them have been injured when being healthy matters most in the NBA playoffs.
This isn’t to ignore what the case would be if they were able to play at full strength for the entirety of the season, otherwise, I wouldn’t have them in the top 10. George and Leonard are clearly two of the best two-way players in the NBA when at full strength and have led the Clippers to some of their best regular seasons ever. We cannot operate in hypotheticals though.
Until I see some results from throwing $400 million at these two great players, the bottom half of the top 10 remains their ceiling as a duo. As I already stated, the Clippers are NBA championship contenders when this duo is healthy. Now, it is time for that fantasy to become a reality.
8. Jimmy Butler And Bam Adebayo – Miami Heat
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One of the duos who were finalists for the NBA championship in 2023 come in at number eight. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo completely exceeded expectations in 2022-23 when most had written them off by season’s end. After fighting through the play-in, it was Butler and Adebayo who took control of the team and led them to the NBA Finals for the second time in four seasons.
Butler and Adebayo are a near-perfect combination on the court. Butler is as clutch as it gets and although streaky at times, provides so much as a leader and defensive stalwart that his shortcomings aren’t nearly as impactful as his positive traits. Adebayo is arguably the most versatile defender in basketball while also adding a more impactful offensive game to his repertoire that puts Miami over the top as a contender.
At this point, I would be a complete moron to not have faith in this Miami duo to compete for an NBA championship. They continue to prove all of the doubters wrong, and they continue to exceed those expectations. While many will believe they are reeling from losing out on Damian Lillard, these two will be in the lab working and keep on building the Heat Culture that has become so likable in NBA circles.
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The duo of the Splash Bros. Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry with the Golden State Warriors is still one of the best duos in the NBA. Sure, their 2022-23 season ended in disappointment which led to a slight overhaul of their roster. While the West got better, the Warriors stayed stagnant other than adding a much older Chris Paul to their rotation. Still, a combination of two of the best three-point shooters in NBA history will always contend in today’s NBA.
The Golden State Warriors will pretty much rely on these two almost 10 years after their first NBA title to return to the top of the NBA mountain. There will be challenges along the way that make us question once again if their dynastic days are over. Just remember, we were really wrong about that in 2022.
I have zero doubts that Curry and Thompson are capable of turning back the clocks and leading this Warriors team to great things. Combined in 2022-23, they made 576 three-pointers which led the league by a mile for two teammates. That right there is evidence they can be a Conference finalist at minimum when they are on their games. With all of the distractions out of town, this duo could have one more magical run left in them in 2023-24.
6. Luka Doncic And Kyrie Irving – Dallas Mavericks
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I may get a lot of heat for having a duo that missed the NBA playoffs in 2022-23 so high on my list, but nobody can deny the potential this team has on the court. First of all, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were the highest-scoring duo on the court last season, finishing with 59.5 points per game. Irving takes an immense amount of pressure off Doncic as a scorer, playmaker, and someone who can carry the team when he needs a rest, which is a luxury that Luka has rarely had in his career so far.
With a full season and offseason under their belts, this duo could get Dallas back on track as a legitimate contender in the Western Conference. The most beautiful thing about it is that nobody is expecting them to, taking even more pressure off them. Doncic can easily play to his style and slow the game down as much as he wants with Kyrie on the court while Irving is one of the best at breaking down defenses from the perimeter.
It doesn’t all fall on their shoulders though. The other players around this elite duo need to step in and step up immediately. This backcourt is the best backcourt in the NBA and it isn’t particularly close. Now, it is time to put up or shut up and get results.
5. LeBron James And Anthony Davis – Los Angeles Lakers
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The duo kicking off our top five has an argument to be higher but again, the “when healthy” bug strikes. There is no doubt that when LeBron James and Anthony Davis are healthy and playing at their best, the Lakers are nearly unstoppable. Anthony Davis looks like a top-five player in the NBA with elite rim protection and overall defense. LeBron James is still one of the best leaders and playmakers in the game when healthy as well. The only problem is consistently having them both in the lineup.
Even as James struggled to shoot from three in this past NBA playoffs, the Lakers were able to ride Anthony Davis’ elite two-way play to the Western Conference Finals. When Davis fell victim to the inconsistencies, James stepped up and led the Lakers to victories. This duo is one of very few that have actually won an NBA title together on this list, and even as James gets ready to turn 39 in 2023, they remain an elite pairing.
I have some reservations about the Lakers heading into 2023-24 but they are not on the James/Davis front entirely. I am concerned about Davis’ ability to remain healthy as well as James’ age but the latter continues to amaze me and the former is just too good to write off before something happens. With this information and evidence, there is no way I could rank them outside the top five.
4. Jayson Tatum And Jaylen Brown – Boston Celtics
Credit: Fadeaway World
At number four on our list is another Conference Finalist from 2022-23, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics. Over the last six seasons together, this duo has helped the Celtics reach four Conference Finals and one NBA Finals while knocking on the door of an NBA championship Despite their various shortcomings, they continuously defy expectations and lead their team to within arms reach of their ultimate goal.
Jayson Tatum is becoming one of the 10 best players in the NBA while Jaylen Brown has become one of its better second options. Tatum made history in 2022-23 by becoming the first Celtics player to average over 30.0 points per game. Brown elevated his game on both sides of the ball as well with stellar defense that went with 26.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
Looking ahead to 2023-24, it would be just plain ignorant to not think the Celtics are right back in the thick of things being led by this dynamic duo. Tatum is consistently getting better and improving his craft while Brown just inked the largest deal in NBA history. With Boston’s confidence in Brown solidified, this duo can now focus on their on-court business which could spell trouble for the other 29 teams in the NBA.
3. Kevin Durant And Devin Booker – Phoenix Suns
Credit: Fadeaway World
The duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker is one that should strike fear into every other team in the NBA. Together, they are two of the best scorers in the NBA right now who are extremely methodical and efficient in their ways.
During the 2023 NBA playoffs, Booker showed what he could do with Durant taking a lot of the attention off him. He averaged 33.7 points per game on 58.5% shooting in 11 playoff games after missing 29 games in the regular season. Durant is coming off one of the most efficient seasons in NBA history as he averaged 29.9 points per game with Brooklyn and Phoenix while shooting with 55/40/90 splits.
Heading into their first full season together, the expectation is that the Suns will have the most dangerous offense in the NBA. Not only do defenses need to pick their poison between Booker and Durant, but Bradley Beal also throws a wrench into the equation. With three players who have the ability to take over games on the offensive end at any moment, the duo of Booker and Durant could be the overwhelming first-place duo in the NBA by the end of the season.
2. Nikola Jokic And Jamal Murray – Denver Nuggets
Credit: Fadeaway World
The defending NBA champions are surely in danger of the dreaded championship hangover but with these two, it is highly unlikely. First, we have Jamal Murray who returned in 2022-23 from over a year away from the game recovering from a knee injury. Murray was one of the main catalysts to Denver’s championship run last season with late-game heroics and smooth shot creation absolutely demoralizing opponents.
Of course, Denver’s entire attack on the offensive end runs through Nikola Jokic, the two-time MVP who has become one of the greatest centers in NBA history over the last four seasons. With his elite passing, playmaking, and scoring, Jokic has snatched away the best player in the world rights which were intensified by his Finals MVP performance in 2023.
We already know what this duo can accomplish when they are at their best and performing at an elite level. They have already proven they are more than worthy of NBA championship talk. What remains to be seen is if they are worthy of repeat champions discussion that is sure to follow them all season long. Something tells me they will answer those challenges in full force as well.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo And Damian Lillard – Milwaukee Bucks
Credit: Fadeaway World
Just a couple of weeks ago, Giannis Antetokounmpo issued a subtle ultimatum to the Milwaukee Bucks organization. Show me you are serious about contending for and winning NBA championships or I am gone. Milwaukee answered that challenge by going out and landing the NBA’s most-coveted offseason prize, disgruntled Trail Blazers star point guard Damian Lillard.
Thus, the most dangerous duo in the NBA was formed. This duo is what I imagine a duo of Reggie Miller and Sahq would have looked like. How about Jerry West and Wilt in his prime? Either way, Milwaukee is set to bring together one of the greatest long-range shooters in NBA history and the most dominant force in the NBA today, and I for one, am excited about it.
With Giannis in his prime coming off an MVP-caliber season of 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game and Lillard coming off a season in which he averaged a career-high 32.2 points per game, the expectations at this moment have to be championship or bust. As NBA fans, we love all things shiny and new, and the prospect of these two joining forces are both of those things to the fullest extent. Now, as our number-one duo in the NBA, let’s hope they deliver on those expectations.
