Ranking The NBA's Top 15 Big Threes 2025-26
- Joel Piton
- Aug 13
- 9 min read
With training camp on the horizon, it's clear that NBA's superteam experiments will never end. This season, more than a few franchises are betting big on their core tandem to get the job done. Whether it’s two All-Stars and a budding rookie ready to takeover or rising stars pushing their way into the national spotlight, the league has numerous combinations meant to dominate in 2025–26. From proven superstar pairings to explosive young combinations, here are the Top 15 NBA duos to watch heading into next season—from most threatening to least.
Barnes, Barrett, Ingram (TOR)
Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and RJ Barrett give Toronto a rare luxury—three legitimate 20+ point-per-game scorers, each with high energy and diverse skill sets. Ingram, still yet to suit up for the Raptors, is working his way back from an ankle injury that limited him to just 18 games last season. At 27, he’s entering his prime, and if he returns at full strength, he could be exactly what this team has been missing. Barrett, meanwhile, has taken major strides defensively, evolving into a true two-way threat. Add in an All-Star centerpiece like Barnes, and you’ve got a trio that could quietly turn Toronto into a dangerous problem in the East.
Wemby, Fox, Vassell (SA)
The Spurs might have young guard talent waiting in the wings with Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, but De’Aaron Fox is firmly in his prime and expected to lead this backcourt for years to come. His blistering speed paired with Wembanyama’s unmatched length gives San Antonio a legitimate 1–2 punch that can punish defenses from all angles. Fox continues to refine his playmaking while staying fearless—able to blow by defenders or stop on a dime. Wemby, meanwhile, has reportedly been putting in major work this offseason, making it impossible to predict just how dominant he’ll be when the season tips off. Add in Devin Vassell, the Spurs’ underrated two-way menace, and you’ve got a trio with scoring, defense, and youth on its side.
Cunningham, Thompson, Duren (DET)
The Pistons have all the tools to keep chasing big goals. Just a year removed from a 14-win season, they pushed a veteran-loaded New York squad to the brink in the playoffs—proof that their young core can compete on both ends. At the helm is Cade Cunningham, a 6'7" cheat code at point guard who can score, facilitate, and control the pace. Alongside him, Amen Thompson brings elite athleticism and defensive versatility, while Jalen Duren continues to grow into a dominant glass-cleaning big with soft hands and rim-protecting instincts. Yes, this trio is young—but their potential is much bigger than most realize. This could be the recipe for Detroit’s long-term success.
Adebayo, Herro, Powell (MIA)
Norman Powell joins the Miami Heat fresh off the best season of his career—a breakout year reminiscent of a Chauncey Billups-style late prime surge—averaging 22 points per game at age 31. His arrival gives Miami a much-needed extra scoring punch, ensuring they aren’t overly reliant on Tyler Herro. Speaking of Herro, he’s coming off his first All-Star campaign, with his efficiency climbing yet again and his playmaking reaching new heights—averaging a career-best 5 assists per game in 2024–25. Anchoring it all is three-time All-Star Bam Adebayo, still one of the league’s most committed All-Defensive-caliber centers. A post scorer with a smooth midrange, Bam’s pairing with rising big Ke’lel Ware could give Miami the interior presence they’ve long lacked—and maybe push them past those frustrating first-round exits.
Leonard, Beal, Harden (LAC)
Bradley Beal joins the Clippers alongside efficient playmaker and streaky scorer James Harden, plus a finally healthy Kawhi Leonard. Beal may no longer be the 30-points-a-night machine he once was, but he can still get scorching hot in an instant and tear apart a defense. While both he and Harden share similar builds and play styles, it’ll be fascinating to see how they mesh in the starting lineup—especially with Norman Powell now gone. Kawhi, meanwhile, played some of his most inspired basketball in the postseason this year, and even at 34, his regression has been minimal. He remains one of the game’s premier two-way forces. The Clippers are deeper than just this trio, but together, they’re a fan-favorite group everyone would love to see finally break through the first-round barrier.
Banchero, Wagner, Bane (ORL)
The Magic landed a major upgrade in sharpshooter Desmond Bane, a 40% three-point sniper who can drop 20 points on any given night. His size and strength at the shooting guard spot give Orlando arguably their best backcourt weapon of the 2020s (sorry, Suggs). Franz Wagner returned from his oblique injury without missing a beat, posting career highs of 24 points, 5 rebounds, and nearly 5 assists—solidifying himself as a legitimate All-Star candidate. At the center of it all is the franchise cornerstone, Paolo Banchero, a 6'10" forward capable of doing everything. Fresh off signing a five-year, $239 million extension, Banchero ensures Orlando’s future is secure—and this trio could make them a serious force in the East.
George, Embiid, Maxey (PHI)
The Magic landed a major upgrade in sharpshooter Desmond Bane, a 40% three-point sniper who can drop 20 points on any given night. His size and strength at the shooting guard spot give Orlando arguably their best backcourt weapon of the 2020s (sorry, Jalen Suggs). Franz Wagner returned from his oblique injury without missing a beat, posting career highs of 24 points, 5 rebounds, and nearly 5 assists—solidifying himself as a legitimate All-Star candidate. At the center of it all is the franchise cornerstone, Paolo Banchero, a 6'10" forward capable of doing everything. Fresh off signing a five-year, $239 million extension, Banchero ensures Orlando’s future is secure—and this trio could make them a serious force in the East.
DeRozan, LaVine, Sabonis (SAC)
![Sacramento Kings’ Domantas Sabonis (left), DeMar DeRozan (center), and Zach LaVine (right) exchange words during a break in play against the [opponent] at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. PHOTO BY COREY KNELLKEY / Associated Press](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0a139f_5b9ab932d0154b57bf849b4814279e96~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_72,h_41,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_avif,quality_auto/0a139f_5b9ab932d0154b57bf849b4814279e96~mv2.png)
With De’Aaron Fox gone, the Sacramento Kings are still searching for the formula that works. Zach LaVine is capable of running the point, but the Kings want him at his most dangerous—firing on all cylinders at the two. He’s adapted seamlessly to Sacramento’s system, posting nearly identical efficiency numbers on some of the highest usage rates of his career. Now entering his 30s, if LaVine can remain a 20+ PPG scorer, the Kings will be in a strong position. DeMar DeRozan, meanwhile, continues to inch toward the 30,000-point milestone, showing minimal regression in what’s been a Hall of Fame-caliber career—but he knows postseason success is the missing piece to his legacy. At the center of it all is Domantas Sabonis, the closest thing the league has to Nikola Jokić: a 6'11" triple-double threat who has led the NBA in rebounding for three straight seasons. An elite playmaker and a fixture near the top of the league in field goal percentage, Sabonis’ greatness is still somehow underrated.
Curry, Butler, Green (GSW)
The Warriors’ early playoff exit this season was largely due to Stephen Curry’s injuries, but the addition of Jimmy Butler has given this veteran core new life. At 36, Butler is chasing that elusive championship, and he’s adapted to Golden State’s offense surprisingly quickly. Even at 37, Curry remains one of the greatest point guards of all time, while Draymond Green is still an All-Defensive caliber anchor and emotional leader. The question is whether this roster has enough depth to make a serious run. Still, it’s hard not to root for a trio of veterans determined to prove that age is just a number.
James, Reaves, Doncic (LAL)
At 40 years old, LeBron James has one thing left on his checklist—a final championship to cap off his legendary career. Even now, he remains an All-NBA player, a 25-point-per-game scorer, and one of the most dominant all-around forces in basketball, fresh off his best three-point shooting season ever. Luka Dončić enters the equation slimmed down and locked in, ready to lead this Lakers team into his prime years. Conditioning was his biggest hurdle last season, keeping him sidelined for long stretches, but if the work pays off, he could be primed for a historic campaign. Austin Reaves, meanwhile, has gone from undrafted bench piece to a legitimate No. 2 option—a remarkable rise that’s made him a fan favorite. Together, this trio has the talent to mean serious business.
Jokic, Murray, Gordon (DEN)
It’s been just two years since Denver’s championship run, but the same core has drifted off the radar for casual fans. Nikola Jokic remains an MVP-level force, yet Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon haven’t gotten their share of the spotlight. Part of that comes down to the loaded Western Conference and Denver’s inability to recapture that same championship magic the following year. Still, they won 50 games last season largely thanks to Murray and Gordon. Gordon shot a career-best from three, becoming a legitimate threat from deep, though injuries limited his impact. Murray flirted with the coveted 50-40-90 shooting splits but faded in the playoffs. This roster is deeper than just these three—but make no mistake, they’re the foundation of Denver’s continued success.
Brunson, Bridges, Towns (NY)
The Brunson–Bridges–KAT trio has officially arrived—though their shocking loss to a Pacers team that looked far weaker on paper still stings. Karl-Anthony Towns is a legitimate All-NBA caliber big, one of the league’s most dominant stretch fives, knocking down over 40% of his threes while still punishing opponents at the rim. “Iron Man” Mikal Bridges is as reliable as they come, guaranteeing you 82 games a season and making an impact on both ends. A streaky scorer, he’s more than capable of putting up 18 points against your best defender. And then there’s Jalen Brunson—the heart of New York, the undersized glue that holds their offense together. With Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum out of the way in the East, there’s not much blocking their path to a conference title.
Durant, Thompson, Sengün (HOU)
The Sengün–Thompson–Durant trio is untested, but it’s already a fan favorite—and could be the blueprint for a championship run. The Rockets went all-in, trading away franchise star Jalen Green for a 37-year-old Kevin Durant, but the potential payoff is massive. Şengün is fresh off an All-Star season, drawing legitimate comparisons to Nikola Jokić with his passing, touch, and feel for the game. Amen Thompson has been called the “NBA’s greatest athlete” by De’Aaron Fox, pairing explosive athleticism with budding two-way talent. And then there’s Kevin Durant—still Kevin Durant, a generational scorer who instantly makes Houston a title contender. This blockbuster move turned the Rockets into favorites overnight, and everyone’s waiting to see how this trio’s synergy takes shape.
Mitchell, Garland, Mobley (CLE)
Photo by Darryl Webb/ Associated Press
When healthy, the Mitchell–Garland–Mobley trio is arguably the most dangerous core in the East. A 64-win season and a conference finals appearance back that up—but somehow, an Indiana squad built on textbook fundamentals managed to unravel them. This offseason should give the Cavs the chance to regroup and reload, and with the Pacers looking much different (and missing their best player), Cleveland and New York are now the frontrunners to represent the East in the NBA Finals. Mobley is a Defensive Player of the Year recipient, Mitchell is a primetime scorer built for the big stage, and Garland is one of the league’s quickest, streakiest guards—knocking down over 40% from three. Surrounded by a deep, talented roster, this team is built to scare anybody.
Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, Williams (OKC)
Photo by Ron Chenoy/ USA Today Sports
The reigning champs have all the tools to run it back—or at the very least, make another deep push into the Western Conference Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just completed one of the most decorated single seasons in NBA history—MVP, NBA Champion, Finals MVP, First Team All-NBA, and scoring leader—sweeping just about every major award in sight. At 6'6", he’s not only a lethal scorer and playmaker from anywhere on the floor, but also one of the league’s most underrated defenders. Jalen Williams joined Shai at All-Star Weekend and has officially arrived as a 20+ PPG scorer who can pass, shoot, and play well above the rim. Add in Chet Holmgren—a 7-footer with a jumper, shot-blocking instincts, and guard-like handles—and it’s no wonder this trio hoisted the trophy. The scariest part? They’re just getting started.
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From seasoned superteams to newly formed powerhouse trios, these are the NBA’s most dangerous Big Threes heading into the 2025–26 season. Some are proven champions, others are untested, but all have the talent to change the playoff picture in an instant. Of course, injuries, chemistry, and the grind of an 82-game season will have their say—but for now, these are the cores every team will have circled on the calendar.
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Thanks for reading!
Joel Piton