You need a lot of star power on your roster in order to win a championship in the NBA and several teams just added significant talent.
As the offseason ended, the Bucks traded for Damian Lillard while the Celtics added Jrue Holiday. Earlier this offseason, meanwhile, the Suns added Bradley Beal to a lineup that already had Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. But how do these revamped contenders stack up with the league’s top three-man lineups?
Many publications have ranked the best duos in the NBA — which you can read here, here, here or here. But we wanted to look at the best star trios in the league right now. Here is what we concluded:
Note: Net rating is how many points per 100 possession each team has outscored opponents when these three players are on the court at the same time.
1
NUGGETS: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon
NET RATING: 14.30
There is an unmatched chemistry on the floor for the Denver Nuggets. Since the 2017-18 season began, including the playoffs, there are four players that have recorded at least 600 assists to another individual player.
During that time span, via PBPStats, Murray has assisted Jokic 752 times while Jokic has assisted Murray 681 times. That ranks second-best and third-best among all duos in the league, per our research.
When they add Aaron Gordon to the mix, they’re nearly unstoppable. The trio outscored opponents by 14.2 points per 100 possessions during the regular season and 14.7 points per 100 possessions during the playoffs, eventually winning the NBA Finals.
They earn the pole position by the weight given to continuity importance.
2
BUCKS: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton
NET RATING: TBD
After winning a championship with Jrue Holiday, the Bucks found a new running mate for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. There are plenty of reasons to buy into the hype as oddsmakers believe this may be the best 1-2 punch in the NBA.
Since 2016-17, per PBPStats, Antetokounmpo and Lillard rank second and third in total points scored during the regular season. During that span, the longtime Portland guard has recorded the second-most points from unassisted 3-pointers. Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, has scored the third-most unassisted 2-pointers.
Also since 2016-17 and when including all playoff games, according to Synergy, Antetokoumpo leads the league in points per game in transition (7.73 ppg) while Lillard ranks second-best in half-court scoring (24.63 ppg) as well.
It’s also worth noting that Antetokounmpo is the best defensive player that has ever played alongside Lillard. Middleton, meanwhile, is a three-time All-Star and an Olympic gold medalist. He will have easier shots with defenders trying to account for both Antetokounmpo and Lillard.
These three players complement each other very well and there is a good reason why the Bucks have the best odds of any team in the NBA to win the title.
3
CELTICS: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday
NET RATING: TBD
Despite losing former Defensive Player of the Year winner Marcus Smart, the Celtics managed to potentially improve their backcourt this offseason.
They added Jrue Holiday to a core that already had Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the mix. Holiday should add a stabilizing force on offense as a true playmaker and will elevate the defensive potential for the squad as well.
Boston also has a remarkable fourth option in Kristaps Porzingis, who they acquired earlier this offseason. As such, everyone in the projected starting lineup for the Celtics has a wingspan between 6-foot-7 and 7-foot-6 and can shoot the 3-pointer.
4
SUNS: Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal
NET RATING: TBD
The Kevin Durant-Devin Booker era didn’t have an ideal start as it was slowed by injuries and an early exit from the playoffs.
But under new ownership, the Suns reshuffled the decks heading into the next season. They replaced Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton and added Bradley Beal. This new group with Durant, Booker and Beal immediately creates one of the most dominant offensive trios of all time. Each player averaged at least 23.0 points last season.
There are questions about depth and defense, but Phoenix should presumably outscore opponents far more often than not.
5
WARRIORS: Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson
NET RATING: 11.06
Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson compose one of the best trios in league history. Even though they are aging, they still play at a championship caliber when they are healthy.
These three players have already won four championships together and last season, they were a part of the best five-man lineup in the league. After adding Chris Paul to the mix, they could contend for yet another title next season.
Even though Thompson has regressed a bit after suffering multiple devastating injuries, it’s very hard to compete against Golden State when they have this championship core on the court at the same time.
6
LAKERS: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves
NET RATING: 9.36
LeBron James has perhaps the most dynamic teammate of his career in Anthony Davis. While they had their best season together when they won a title in 2020, the two Lakers stars found a rhythm again last season after they found Austin Reaves was a viable third fiddle.
After trading Russell Westbrook, their three-man lineup with Reaves outscored opponents by a whopping 23.9 points per 100 possessions.
Then, despite only narrowly making the postseason after a rough start to the year, James and Davis led their team to an appearance in the Western Conference Finals. Davis, meanwhile, was widely considered the best defensive player in the NBA during the playoffs.
During the offseason, the Lakers were also able to retain the core group that played so well together under head coach Darvin Ham. There are, of course, concerns. James is late in his career and Davis has struggled to stay healthy.
Reaves, who looked great during the FIBA World Cup, can take another leap next season. Especially if he does, this is an awesome group.
7
76ERS: Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris
NET RATING: 7.84
Even if the Philadelphia 76ers go into the next season without James Harden, they will still have one of the best trios in the league.
We know what Joel Embiid, the NBA’s reigning MVP, is capable of doing whenever he is on the court. But what we may not realize yet is what Tyrese Maxey can do without Harden in the mix.
Maxey averaged 24.9 points per 100 possessions when playing alongside Harden last season, per PBPStats, but 36.5 points per 100 without him. He should take another massive leap forward should the 76ers move on from The Beard.
8
GRIZZLIES: Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane
NET RATING: 6.01
We know the Grizzlies will not have Ja Morant for the start of the season due to a suspension. But especially as they continue to progress, the Grizzlies still have arguably the NBA’s most exciting young core.
Morant is one of the most electrifying young players, Jackson (despite his struggles during the FIBA World Cup) is the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year and Bane could take a massive leap forward next season.
Memphis will have a freshened identity with Marcus Smart replacing Dillon Brooks and Tyus Jones on the roster. He should bring the intensity needed for a deep run in the postseason.
9
CAVALIERS: Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley
NET RATING: 5.86
Despite an early exit from the postseason during the first year of the Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland duo in the backcourt, it’s easy to buy whatever it is the Cavs are selling.
They also have an emerging young star in the frontcourt, Evan Mobley, who was a finalist for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year last season.
There are rumors about whether or not Mitchell will stay in Cleveland on a long-term contract or if he may eventually ask out. But for now, this is a trio worth following closely.
10
HEAT: Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro
NET RATING: 5.55
The Miami Heat have become a dynasty of sorts since adding Jimmy Butler, earning trips to the Eastern Conference Finals in three of the past four years while also making two trips to the NBA Finals.
Miami’s Bam Adebayo is a perennial All-Defensive candidate while Butler is one of the brightest two-way stars in the game. They were the most used two-man lineup during the postseason last year.
Although they didn’t have Tyler Herro during the postseason and then they dangled his name in trade talks, the guard is still among the most promising young shot-creators in the NBA.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
11. Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert
12. Hawks: Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Clint Capela
13. Kings: Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray
14. Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren
15. Clippers: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Russell Westbrook
