We are just over four weeks away from the NBA returning from its late-summer hiatus. Once players begin reporting to training facilities for preseason workouts, several prominent stars will be spotted wearing unexpected new jerseys. LeBron James and Jaylen Brown are now in Philadelphia, Giannis Antetokounmpo has moved to Miami, and LaMelo Ball is in Minnesota. Could we even see Kawhi Leonard back in Toronto?
(For this particular ranking, Kawhi is left out.) With so much elite talent relocating across the league, this is the perfect moment to evaluate the twelve best partnerships in the NBA—ranging from newly formed pairings to long-standing associates, including some surrounded by unresolved dilemmas.
Ranking the 12 Best Partnerships in the NBA
12. Steph Curry and Draymond Green
An absolute classic pairing. With all due respect to Jimmy Butler, who ranks as a superior individual player compared to Green, any talk of the ultimate Golden State duo inevitably centers on this pair due to their shared legacy. Curry and Green are about to embark on their 15th year together. They have secured four championship rings as partners. Although key contributors to those titles—most notably Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant—have departed, this legendary duo endures. Their telepathic connection on the floor has produced truly spectacular basketball throughout their careers.
Unfortunately, time spares no one. Curry appeared in only 43 matchups last year as he dealt with multiple physical setbacks. Green proved to be among the more resilient players on a roster plagued by health issues, appearing in 68 contests. Curry is set to reach age 39 this coming March, while Green hits 37 during that same month. Curry’s contract is entering its final season, and Green recently agreed to a single-season extension after Golden State failed to land LeBron.
Combining these elements suggests this could mark their final run as teammates (even though the franchise remains confident Curry intends to finish his playing days in the Bay Area). Regardless of whether their era is ending now or has already drawn to a close without our realizing it, watching them has been an absolute pleasure.
11. Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren
The contract stalemate surrounding Jalen Duren remains unsettled, which is hardly a positive indicator. We will proceed assuming he suits up for Detroit when opening night arrives, but the protracted contract talks between his camp and management are likely casting a shadow over team chemistry.
Before the playoffs, a strong case existed for ranking this guard-center tandem significantly higher—but those hopes evaporated when Duren underperformed against Orlando and Cleveland. Reports indicated that Duren sought a fresh deal last year worth roughly $30 million annually. Once Detroit hesitated, Duren chose to prove his worth on the court. That gamble initially seemed to yield dividends, as Duren enjoyed a spectacular regular season, averaging personal bests of 19.5 points and 10.5 boards, earning him Third Team All-NBA honors. However, his performance collapsed during postseason play, where he put up a mere 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest.
This postseason struggle has naturally sparked skepticism regarding the financial terms Detroit is prepared to offer the 22-year-old. Given that he has yet to sign an extension, management clearly values him lower than his own camp’s valuation. Thanks to his All-NBA selection, Duren can legally sign a five-year extension worth up to $287.1 million. If that figure seems comical to you, Detroit’s front office likely agrees. Duren will not receive a maximum contract of that scale, which explains the ongoing deadlock.
At the same time, Cunningham is desperately in need of support. He secured a spot on the All-NBA First Team, ended up fifth in MVP ballots, and stood out as the franchise’s most consistent and elite contributor through both the regular season and their short-lived playoff run. He did everything asked of him. The primary question now is whether he will continue setting up Duren for alley-oops this coming year. Although sources suggest the Pistons are avoiding sign-and-trade options involving Duren, one has to wonder if their stance might soften if this financial stand-off drags on.
10. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley
Throughout his professional journey, critics claimed Donovan Mitchell was incapable of advancing past the conference semifinals—a hurdle he finally cleared, only to clash with an unstoppable New York Knicks squad during a historic playoff stretch. That was an unfortunate break. Nevertheless, Mitchell delivered an outstanding campaign, securing Second Team All-NBA honors. Cleveland received validation that his backcourt pairing with James Harden is viable and capable of challenging the elite in the East. However, with Mitchell turning 30 this September and holding a player option to test free agency next summer, this upcoming season is critical for both the star and the organization.
Rumors surfaced that Milwaukee asked about Mobley’s availability leading up to the trade deadline, back when Cleveland joined several franchises trying to trade for Giannis. The former top defender connected on a mere 29.7% of his attempts from deep, though his general statistics closely mirrored his production from the prior campaign. He will turn 25 during this run, and Cleveland retains his services under contract for the upcoming four years.
9. Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball
I strongly considered placing Jaden McDaniels alongside Ant here. McDaniels remains one of the league’s most underappreciated dual-threat assets, consistently stepping up in high-stakes moments, especially on defense.
Defense, however, is not LaMelo’s primary focus. Ball is undoubtedly a thrilling offensive talent, providing Edwards with the most talented distributor he has ever shared the court with. While LaMelo possesses immense appeal, his value would rise if he limited his improvisation and aligned more closely with his team’s structural goals. It is no secret why Charlotte was quite eager to move on from him.
Tim Connelly stands out as one of the NBA’s premier front-office minds. Having constructed Denver’s title-winning roster, he relocated to Minnesota and molded the Timberwolves into consecutive conference finals participants. His track record of success speaks for itself. Even so, doubts remain regarding whether head coach Chris Finch can successfully integrate Ball’s unique skillset into a winning team concept.
Regardless, a backcourt featuring Ball and Edwards promises to be a spectacular watch. Ant claimed the third spot in league scoring by averaging 28.8 points, alongside 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. His efficiency was outstanding, shooting 48.9% overall and 39.9% from long distance. Were it not for the strict 65-game minimum requirement for seasonal honors, he would have captured his third career All-NBA selection, having appeared in 61 games. He earned his fourth All-Star nod in six years and once again guided Minnesota past expectations in the postseason. The looming query is whether this new tandem can duplicate that level of success as partners.
8. Jayson Tatum and Derrick White
Boston ultimately parted ways with their dynamic duo, trading Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia. Consequently, Tatum’s primary partner on this list is now White, a player highly regarded by advanced metrics such as defensive Estimated Plus-Minus—in contrast to Brown, whose value was publicly dismissed prior to the trade by a prominent analyst who rated him poorly. Due to Tatum missing a major portion of last year with an Achilles rupture, White shouldered a larger load, resulting in his highest usage rate in Boston alongside a career-low shooting efficiency. Though his offensive rhythm wavered, he continued to dominate defensively, earning a spot on the All-Defensive First Team.
Tatum, a five-time All-NBA selection, stood as one of basketball’s most reliable superstars before his injury. Upon his return last year, he appeared in just 16 regular-season matchups, displaying understandable shooting rustiness. A full summer of recovery and training should restore his normal form. The ultimate test for Boston is whether Tatum, White, and this altered Celtics squad can replicate their championship pedigree without Brown—especially since he will now be actively trying to stop them.
7. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo
Credit Pat Riley for his relentless pursuit of elite talent; he almost always secures his targets. Miami landed Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis this offseason, sending Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three future first-round draft assets, a draft pick swap, and a second-rounder in return. Giving up that massive package only to rank seventh on this list highlights how competitive these pairings are.
Giannis boasts a Defensive Player of the Year award, while Adebayo has achieved All-Defensive recognition five times. Designing an effective offense might prove challenging given Miami’s limited perimeter threats, which could result in congested lane space. However, when an opportunity to acquire a generational talent arises, you make the trade and adjust the roster dynamics later. For now, Giannis and Bam must carry a massive load together.
Betting markets are similarly reserved about their immediate outlook. FanDuel places Miami’s conference title odds at +1500, ranking them seventh behind New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, Toronto, and Cleveland. That is a tough pill to swallow.
6. Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves
Once Los Angeles handed the offensive keys to Dončić and Reaves—pushing LeBron down to third in team usage for the first time—the Lakers embarked on a late-season 15-game win streak, showcasing some of their finest play in years. With LeBron now in Philadelphia, Dončić and Reaves must prove they can navigate the brutal Western Conference without the veteran superstar’s presence.
Luka, who secured his sixth All-NBA First Team nod, turns 27 this year and is playing on a three-year, $160 million extension with L.A. Reaves recently committed to a four-year, $184 million contract. The team belongs to them now (on the court, at least, while the franchise’s ownership dispute continues in the background). However, if this updated roster fails to make a deep run, Luka’s contract contains a player option that offers him a path to free agency by the summer of 2028.
5. Choose Your Own Adventure with the Sixers
Take your pick of any two. Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe represent an incredibly fast, athletic guard combo. Joel Embiid’s health is always uncertain, yet the former MVP proved his dominance by lifting Philadelphia past Boston in the opening round of the postseason, proving his elite caliber when active. Jaylen Brown enters the year fresh off his most impressive season to date. Meanwhile, LeBron remains peerless.
Almost any pairing from this group could stand out as the team’s best duo on a given evening. As Brown noted during his arrival press conference, this roster doesn’t need a single designated leader.
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams
SGA secured consecutive MVP titles, while Jalen Williams endured a much more challenging year. Williams appeared in only 33 games because of injuries and sat out the entirety of the playoffs. This setback surely frustrated the 25-year-old, especially following his breakout year. Not only did Oklahoma City claim the 2025 NBA title, but Williams also earned his debut All-Star, All-NBA, and All-Defensive selections.
Even in a highly competitive Western Conference, and despite a tough seven-game loss to San Antonio in the conference finals, Oklahoma City enters the season as the favorite to win the championship. While their deep roster plays a massive role, the elite abilities of SGA and Williams are what truly elevate this squad. Had Williams remained healthy in the postseason, Oklahoma City might well have matched up against New York in the Finals. Currently, this team is built to contend for years, with the 29-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander signed for four more seasons and the 25-year-old Williams locked in for five.
3. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns
Brunson has faced skepticism at every level of his basketball journey, from slipping in the draft out of Villanova, to Dallas letting him depart without a fight, to analysts questioning his capacity to serve as the franchise player on a title contender. He has repeatedly silenced his doubters, ultimately guiding New York to its first title in over half a century. While several stars excel at scoring under pressure, few players inspire more confidence in a clutch moment than Brunson.
Similarly, Karl-Anthony Towns has faced criticism throughout his career. Self-styled as the greatest shooting center in league history, he was often labeled a foul-prone defender with questionable focus—a productive player in Minnesota, but not indispensable enough to prevent a trade to New York for cap relief. Rumors even hinted that the Knicks offered him in trade packages for Giannis around the deadline. Instead, he remained in New York and delivered a spectacular playoff run, holding his own against Victor Wembanyama in the Finals. Without the combined heroics of Brunson and Towns, the Knicks’ championship drought would still be active.
2. Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray
Jokić runner-upped in the MVP race while securing his eighth selection to an All-NBA squad. He registered 27.7 points, 12.9 boards, and 10.7 assists per game with shooting splits of 56.9% overall, 38.0% from three, and 83.1% from the line. Setting new personal high-water marks in rebounds and assists, he completed his second consecutive season averaging a triple-double.
Even as Denver struggled with key injuries—with Jokić, Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson, Christian Braun, and Peyton Watson all sidelined at various intervals—Murray delivered the best season of his career. The star guard averaged personal bests of 25.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists. He recorded highly efficient shooting figures, hitting 48.3% from the field and 43.5% from deep, which led to his inaugural All-Star and All-NBA selections. With Murray at 29 and Jokić at 31, both remain in their absolute prime, and would rank first if they were just a bit younger.
1. Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle/Dylan Harper
At just 22 years of age, Wembanyama is already the youngest player ever to earn All-NBA First Team honors and reach the Finals. He also became the first player in league history to win the Defensive Player of the Year award unanimously. Assuming he avoids injuries and meets the 65-game requirement, he is poised to dominate the DPOY voting indefinitely while starting next season as the frontrunner for MVP. Although New York eliminated San Antonio in five games and Wembanyama struggled with his shooting efficiency, his rapid development guarantees the Spurs will remain in the title picture for years to come.
Regarding his partner for this exercise, either of San Antonio’s talented young guards fits perfectly. Both Castle and Harper represent fantastic options. Castle elevated his play during the postseason, averaging 18.2 points, 5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. He improved his efficiency, hitting 35% from beyond the arc and 81.6% of his free throws (averaging 5.9 free throw attempts), exceeding his regular-season marks. The 21-year-old’s size and athletic traits, combined with his elite defensive potential, make him a tough matchup on both ends of the court.
At only 20, a strong argument exists that Harper served as San Antonio’s most reliable asset during their postseason and Finals run. He connected on 51.5% of his field goals and 82.7% of his free throws in the playoffs. Displaying incredible poise in high-pressure moments, he outplayed veteran guard De’Aaron Fox, who is eight years his senior. Whichever of these guards you prefer next to Wembanyama, their youth and early Finals experience should put the rest of the NBA on notice. The Spurs have arrived as a premier threat, and they are built to stay.
