Category: NBA

The NBA moves fast. Just a couple of seasons ago, a list of the top duos would have included Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum on the Celtics, LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers, and Giannis Antetokounmpo was paired with Damian Lillard in Milwaukee. Just a season ago, a similar list would have included James Harden and Ivica Zubac on the Clippers, but by the trade deadline, both were on new teams.

Which is to say, teams need to take advantage of the windows with top duos while they can. Heading into the 2026-27 season, here are the NBA's top seven duos.

1. Nikola Jokic & Jamal Murray (Denver)

This is the most tested and reliable elite duo in the NBA — we know how well they play off each other, and we've seen them lift the Nuggets to a title. Both also are coming off monster seasons. Jokic averaged a triple-double of 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game, shot 38% from 3, and finished second in MVP voting. Murray had his best statistical season, averaging 25.4 points and 7.1 assists — both career highs — and shooting 43.5% from 3-point range, which earned him All-Star and All-NBA honors.

When Jokic and Murray were on the court together last season, the Nuggets had a +11.6 net rating. This remains one of the league's elite duos. What held back Denver last season — and the concern heading into this one — is health and the depth around Jokic and Murray. But that duo? Nobody is worried. Jokic is making midseason passes in the preseason.

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City)

We didn't see much of this duo last season. While Gilgeous-Alexander was on his way to his second consecutive MVP award, Williams played just 33 regular-season games and five in the playoffs due to injuries. J-Dub was not himself.

Williams is back healthy this season, and he and SGA are ready to resume the form that had the Thunder with a +13.1 net rating when they shared the court two seasons ago — the season they lifted OKC to the title. Gilgeous-Alexander, 29, and Williams, 25, are at their peak, have incredible depth around them (it's really a trio with Chet Holmgren), and will have the Thunder back in title contention again.

3. Victor Wembanyama & Stephon Castle/Dylan Harper (San Antonio)

Wembanyama's standing in the game is unquestioned: He became the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year last season, and at age 22 was the youngest player in NBA history to both make First Team All-NBA and lead his team to the NBA Finals. He is the MVP betting favorite heading into this season for a reason.

The question is who you pair with him in a duo. A year ago at this time, we would have said De'Aaron Fox, but during the regular season Stephon Castle looked like the better fit with Wemby, averaging 16.7 points and 7.4 assists per game while shooting 35% from 3, and the Spurs had a +17 net rating when they shared the court. Then during the playoffs, Dylan Harper asserted himself — especially in the NBA Finals — and looked like the future No. 2 option for the Spurs.

This season, either Castle or Harper could take over that role — but if you start to look at them as an elite trio, San Antonio becomes that much scarier. And they are all 22 or younger.

4. Jalen Brunson & Karl-Anthony Towns (New York)

If you want to argue this duo should be higher up the list, I'm not going to push back — the proof comes on opening night when Adam Silver hands them their championship rings.

The stats around this duo are impressive — the Knicks had a ridiculous +20.3 net rating when Towns and Brunson shared the court in the playoffs — but their stories are even better. Jalen Brunson has been dismissed and questioned before he even got to Villanova, and Dallas underestimated him so much he walked out the door. Town faced similar questions about whether he was really a championship big, and Minnesota shipped him out to avoid the second apron of the luxury tax. Together, Brunson and KAT bonded, eventually found a rhythm on the court and became New York legends. The Knicks need to pay up to keep this duo together.

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo & Bam Adebayo (Miami)

We haven't seen this duo together yet, but they deserve to be on the list. We may have questions about how smoothly they fit together on offense, and whether there is enough talent around them, but make no mistake, Pat Riley went out this summer and made the Miami Heat must-watch again.

What is this all going to look like?

"You got two front court guys that can dribble, shoot, pass. Who can rebound," Adebayo said on the LeBatard Show recently. "Obviously, the defensive side is what it is. We know how great we want that to be. But you got two guys going downhill that are very mobile. They have high IQ that can pass. People are underappreciating it right now because they haven't seen it, but as the time goes by people will learn to appreciate what we will do."

6. Luka Doncic & Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers)

Luka Doncic is as elite an offensive player as there is in the game. An MVP-level player just entering his prime at age 27. A six-time All-NBA player who last season averaged 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game.

Doncic also works best with a high-level secondary shot creator next to him, which is why the Lakers paid up this summer to retain Austin Reaves (four years and $184 million). Reaves is coming off a season where he averaged 23.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game and showed he could run the team when Doncic is out.

When Doncic and Reaves are tight, they have a Jalen Brunson-and-Josh Hart kind of comedy vibe off the court. They also work on the court, where the Lakers had a +8.9 net rating last season when the duo played together. However, Los Angeles needs them to do that in more than 41 games (injuries limited both at times last season), and the Lakers need a lot of other things — their defense, Walker Kessler, depth — to go right as well to get to the level Rob Pelinka likes to talk about.

Anthony Edwards & LaMelo Ball (Minnesota)

Minnesota will be must-watch this season. Anthony Edwards paired with the best passer he's ever played with, LaMelo Ball, will lead to a dynamic, up-tempo offense full of highlights. Whether that leads the Timberwolves back to the Western Conference Finals is a different question, but we're not going to be able to take our eyes off them.

Edwards averaged 28.8 points and five rebounds a game last season, shooting 39.9% from 3-point range. He's going to get some easier looks now, Rudy Gobert is going to be finishing alley-oops and the Timberwolves are going to be entertaining. However, the real key to their season may be whether Jaden McDaniels takes another step forward. That and whether LaMelo Ball is ready for this spotlight and this kind of playoff pressure.

Two duos of note not on this list:

• No Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren from Detroit, who came very close to taking the last spot (from the Timberwolves). To be fair, Cunningham and Duren proved they can lead a 60-win team, but that playoff performance has given me pause (especially since Pistons management didn't fix things this offseason). It really can't be said enough: if Duren and Ausar Thompson both remain non-shooters, playing them together in the postseason is going to be an issue.

• No Philadelphia 76ers are on this list because I don't know what to do with them as a duo: Reach into a hat and pull out the names of two of Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James and Joel Embiid. Two of them probably should be on this list, which two is the question. The 76ers may not have the answer to their best duo until around Christmas, so they were not making the cut here before the season tips off.

Coming off an All-Star season in which he helped anchor the 'Knicks' run to a title — and made himself a New York legend in the process — Karl-Anthony Towns had hoped he and the Knicks could quickly agree on a contract extension.

Speaking Monday, Towns sounded frustrated and turned up the heat on the talks. Here is what he said, via Stephon Bondy of the New York Post.

"Simply put, I want to do something to keep the team together and can work with the Knicks and also values me," Towns said Monday before the preseason opener. "And none of those things are close to happening."

Will he have a new contract in place before the season starts?

"It don't look good."

It's not new news that the contract talks between Towns and the Knicks have stalled, but Bondy now details just how far apart the sides are. Towns will make $57.1 million this season and has a player option for $61 million next season. He is extension eligible for up to four years and $276 million but has said he would take a discount off that number because he wants to stay in New York (the sides have until the end of the season to reach a deal).

The Knicks have offered around four years, $200 million, according to Bondy. Not only is that $76 million his max, but also the average annual salary of $50 million in the Knicks offer is asking him to take a pay cut off what he is making this season — coming off a title.

The Knicks see a financial crunch on the horizon under the NBA's luxury tax and apron system. Starting in 2028-29, there very likely will be a Jalen Brunson extension — don't expect another $113 million discount there — and that's also when a Josh Hart extension would start, and an OG Anunoby extension could begin. Keeping all of them will be somewhere between difficult and impossible.

Towns feels he has earned his payday, coming off a season where he averaged 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. Towns was asked whether he felt he should be rewarded for his role leading the Knicks to a title. His response?

"No s***, Sherlock."

That sums up where things are with Towns and the Knicks pretty well.

While most fantasy basketball focuses on head-to-head competition, whether in categories or points leagues, some prefer the rotisserie route. A slow start can be harder to rebound from in that format, but it also opens the door for managers to take more gambles to strengthen their roster through trades or the waiver wire throughout the season.

Rotoworld fantasy basketball writer Raphielle Johnson recently participated in a 12-team, nine-category roto mock draft, building a team with the first pick. Which player is the superior option to start a roster with: Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama, or someone else? How does that choice affect how a manager should build out the rest of their roster? Let's take a look.

Round 1

While there has been no shortage of managers going the Wembanyama route with the first overall pick, I stuck with the reliable Jokić. He's been the best player in fantasy basketball for years, and even if he doesn't retain that crown this season, his overall skill set means Jokić won't fall far down the rankings if that changes. The Joker led the NBA in rebounds and assists last season and has finished first or second in league MVP voting each of the last six seasons. And with the Nuggets' depth taking a hit via Peyton Watson's exit, they may need even more from the three-time MVP to remain a contender in the West.

The roto format tends to favor Luka Dončić, as it can minimize the impact of his turnover number. One could argue for him going second in this mock instead of Wembanyama, but the 7-foot-5 phenom can win the blocks category for a manager on his own. If there was a surprise in the first round of this mock, it may be Johnson, even with the strides he's made in Atlanta. That roster has gotten deeper, and having CJ McCollum in the fold from the start could cut into Johnson's usage.

Round 2

For the Round 2/3 turn, I wanted to get at least one high-usage player, preferably a guard, to supplement Jokić's production. Enter Jalen Brunson, whose ADP is hovering around this point in early drafts. While the Knicks could continue the path they took to their first NBA title in 53 years last spring by running more of the offense through Karl-Anthony Towns, Brunson will still have the ball in his hands plenty.

Also, Austin Reaves could prove to be the steal of the second round if the Lakers decide to stagger his and Dončić's minutes more to ensure at least one of them is on the floor at all times.

Round 3

While better offensive options were available going into the third round, I targeted defense by selecting Evan Mobley. His usage dipped slightly last season, but the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year still offered reliable fantasy value. His scoring and rebounding averages also improved after the All-Star break, as did his field goal percentage. A full season sharing the court with James Harden may boost Mobley's fantasy value.

In this mock, the third round had some significant injury question marks, most notably Leonard, Markkanen and Murphy. If he's available for most games, Leonard can provide elite fantasy value, so keep an eye on his ADP this month.

Round 4

Paolo Banchero hasn't been a great category-league option for most of his career, mainly because of percentages and turnovers. Jokić, Brunson, and Mobley are good in the field-goal percentage category and can help offset Banchero's deficiency there. Also, he's played at least 72 regular-season games in three of his first four seasons, so availability shouldn't be a major concern.

This mock draft was held not long after the Hornets announced that Kon Knueppel is likely to miss the start of the regular season with a hamstring injury, so it was surprising to see him go in the fourth round. Also, Duren continues to slip down draft boards as his contract situation remains unresolved.

Round 5

I targeted defense with this pick, selecting Dyson Daniels to lock down the steals category. His 2025-26 production in that category didn't match his 2024-25 output of three steals per game, but no one will be upset about a player averaging two steals per game. The key to Daniels' fantasy outlook is whether he can improve his shooting, having made 18.8 percent of his three-point attempts and 61.5 percent of his free throws last season. That second number noticeably affects Daniels' fantasy ceiling.

Other serious swings came in this round, including George and Boozer. The Ingram pick is questionable after the Clippers revealed that doctors found a partially torn Achilles when they operated on his heel this offseason. Should managers draft him at all? Or should they look to take a late-round flier? Personally, I'd leave that problem to another manager.

Round 6

Count me among those who believe that OG Anunoby is once again undervalued in fantasy rankings. Getting him in the sixth round is a major steal, especially since availability wasn't an issue in either of his first two full seasons in New York. Embiid and Garland are two other potential steals at the start of this round, as long as they stay healthy. Regarding Garland, Ingram's injury raises his ceiling, especially early in the season.

While the Ware pick offers some intrigue, I've got concerns about Milwaukee's perimeter rotation going into the season. Herro could put up big numbers in a contract year, but he'll face a lot of competition for scoring opportunities, including Rollins.

Round 7

Can fantasy managers and basketball fans in general overemphasize a player's postseason struggles when evaluating their potential? I wonder if that's the case with De'Aaron Fox, whose first NBA Finals experience wasn't good. Add in Dylan Harper likely getting more chances, and Fox could lose some playing time. However, the seventh round is a good spot to draft the veteran point guard, especially if you aren't too concerned about free-throw percentage.

Castle could be more of a gamble than Fox, but getting him in the seventh round makes more sense than his current (at the time of publishing) fifth-round ADP. Then again, if you aren't concerned about percentages or turnovers, Castle will be higher on your draft board.

Round 8

With Ja Morant no longer in the fold, is it Ty Jerome time in Memphis? That certainly seems to be the case going into the preseason. Of course, he's only surpassed 50 games once in his NBA career, so fantasy managers should keep that in mind. Given the guards on my roster at this point in the draft, I was comfortable gambling on Jerome. Quickley, who was close to a top-50 player last season, could be the steal of this round, while the Queen pick felt ambitious.

Round 9

Points were no longer my concern at this point in the draft, so I opted for versatility and selected Hart. Despite everything said about his postseason shooting struggles, he shot 41 percent from three during the regular season. Given what he can bring to the table, Hart shouldn't have much trouble providing top-100 fantasy value. However, LaVine (selected with the next pick) can offer excellent value to any manager who can get him outside the first 75 picks.

Round 10

Is Keegan Murray the forgotten man in Sacramento? He missed most of last season due to injury, which has impacted his early ADP. He may be underrated, especially with the Kings moving on from DeMar DeRozan. If the Kings move LaVine at some point, Murray's value could get a welcome boost.

The Maluach pick was interesting because he isn't guaranteed to be the Suns' starting center with Mark Williams sidelined. Oso Ighodaro filled that role last season, and he could win the opportunity again. Maluach certainly has upside, but it isn't a foregone conclusion that he'll be the Opening Night starter.

Round 11

I went with Brandin Podziemski here because he played all 82 games and had his most productive season to date in 2025-26. With Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody sidelined by knee injuries, Podziemski has more room to produce offensively. Another Warrior, Lendeborg, was selected in the 11th round, and the rookie forward is well-equipped to contribute immediately.

Thunder guards Wallace and Mitchell could both be fantasy steals after Luguentz Dort's departure. With Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe also gone, Wallace and Mitchell are worth considering within the first 100 picks. Sharing the floor with a ball-dominant guard like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may lower their fantasy ceilings in a roto format, but their floors should be reliable.

Round 12

This early in the preseason, three Lakers starters are essentially known: Dončić, Reaves, and Walker Kessler. Grimes will have every opportunity to lock down one of the two remaining spots, and given Dončić and Reaves' defensive deficiencies on the perimeter, the Lakers need him to. Grimes' key will be whether he can produce more as a rebounder and defender than he did in Philadelphia. Getting starters' minutes could help, improving his fantasy value.

Round 13

I decided to go with Bey for my final pick, adding even more points production. However, the Pelicans' rotation is a concern because of the mix of veterans and young players who need opportunities. Bey is coming off the most productive season of his NBA career, showing no ill effects from missing all of 2024-25 while rehabbing from a torn ACL. Even with limited defensive output, he finished last season as a top-100 fantasy player.

At this point in the draft, most managers are taking a swing on someone far exceeding preseason expectations, but this mock draft had a lot of "safe" choices. Harris has a lower ceiling in San Antonio than he did as a starter in Detroit, and the same goes for Vučević returning to Orlando. Washington is likely to be the subject of trade rumors again due to Dallas' frontcourt depth, while Fears' role may expand in New Orleans, even if he comes off the bench.

Final Team

• Nikola Jokić
• Jalen Brunson
• Evan Mobley
• Paolo Banchero
• Dyson Daniels
• OG Anunoby
• De'Aaron Fox
• Ty Jerome
• Josh Hart
• Keegan Murray
• Brandin Podziemski
• Quentin Grimes
• Saddiq Bey

Points, assists, steals, and three-pointers were strengths in building out this roster, while percentages and blocks were weaknesses. I'm not too much of a "punt" person, but the blocks category stands out. Daniels and Anunoby do most of their defensive work in steals, with Mobley as the lone reliable shot-blocker on this roster.

The dynasty sleepers of today are the fantasy stars of tomorrow. Or perhaps a few years from now, but the point remains the same: if you can get these guys, get them now before they realize their potential.

Under the assumption that your dynasty league will last a while (because who can really plan for a league to fold after two years when it starts), it takes a few years to truly separate yourself from the pack. It’s important to make the right moves for your team, and acquiring players before they become stars is the best way to do that. If you bought in on Jalen Johnson or Austin Reaves a few years ago, you’re probably sitting pretty in your league.

So who can be the next breakout star for fantasy managers? Here are eight candidates that shouldn’t be impossible to trade for in your league:

Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets

Here’s the breakout lock. Sharpe is already going in the top-100 in redraft leagues, but we might not be ready for just how effective he’s going to be. Over the last few years, he has been elite on the offensive glass and a strong passer for a big man. We saw Nic Claxton have his best passing season last year, and now that he’s gone, Sharpe will fill the void.

Brooklyn ranked near the top of the league in three-point attempt rate last season, so having an elite board man like Sharpe is incredibly valuable. For fantasy managers, he was also able to contribute plenty of steals last year, but he’s a genuinely effective defender. There is a lot to like about Sharpe, and he may be about to put the league on notice and solidify his role as Brooklyn’s center of the future.

Kasparas Jakucionis, Milwaukee Bucks

There are going to be plenty of opportunities for everyone in Milwaukee to get a chance to shine this season, but Jakucionis is going under the radar. He didn’t get to play much early on in Miami, but he did show some flashes during his rookie year and obviously showed a lot during his lone season at Illinois. The defense is an issue at this point of his career, but the Bucks are at least a couple years away from being a true playoff team, so there is time to improve. Right now, he can be a PRA machine that shoots triples at a high rate.

Oso Ighodaro, Phoenix Suns

While everyone is focused on Khaman Maluach, don’t forget about Ighodaro! He’s an effective defender and a strong playmaker for a player that’s nearly seven-feet tall. He’s quite different from Maluach, which means they can be staggered in different lineups based on their strengths and potentially be used at the same time. I’m bullish on Oso’s future in the NBA, and I think the Mark Williams shoulder injury will open the door for both Maluach and Ighodaro to thrive.

Noah Penda, Orlando Magic

I was intrigued by Penda entering the draft last summer, but he showed legitimate fantasy star traits as a rookie. We knew he could pass. We knew he could defend and accumulate defensive stats. However, it wasn’t clear how he’d score. He didn’t finish well as a prospect, and the jump shot was questionable. Neither of those became strengths, but he showcased a far stronger jump shot than I expected. He won’t truly pop behind Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, but he’ll eventually get the opportunity. Buy in now before he takes legit strides this year.

Joan Beringer, Minnesota Timberwolves

Buy in now, because we could see a mini breakout this season and really see Beringer become a fantasy star within 2-3 years. With Naz Reid now in Charlotte, Beringer is officially the backup center in Minnesota. Rudy Gobert was at 31.3 minutes per game last season, but that number has dropped for three straight years. Beringer should split the center minutes, meaning he could hover at 18-19 minutes per game. That’s enough time for him to showcase his talent on the glass and as a defender. He won’t be a fantasy star as a reserve, but he’ll prove that he is a per-minute monster.

Davion Mitchell, Miami Heat

Mitchell’s development over the last two years should allow him to be an excellent fit as the starting point guard for this Heat team, potentially for the next few seasons. You don’t get the nickname Off Night for no reason, so we know his perimeter defense will be vital for the Heat to be successful. However, it’s his improvement as both a playmaker and as a spot-up shooter that will really make a difference for Miami. They traded away the aforementioned Jakucionis just one year after taking him in the first because of their belief in Mitchell to be the team’s point guard.

Ja’Kobe Walter, Toronto Raptors

After a slow start to his career, Walter started to figure things out late last season, and I’m intrigued by what he could be and how he fits on this current Raptors team. He shot 40.9 percent from deep last season and was a positive defender in just his second season. For fantasy managers, he can provide steals and threes in bunches when he gets the minutes. With the way this Toronto team is currently structured, I wonder if he is a better fit as a starter than RJ Barrett. It isn’t realistic for Walter to start over Barrett, especially after Barrett had arguably the best season of his career. However, Walter is still intriguing enough for me to target him at a discount.

Sergio de Larrea, Dallas Mavericks

I was trying to avoid putting rookies on this list, but de Larrea has to be the exception. There was a chance he was going to be stashed overseas, but after landing with Dallas, there was no need. He’ll compete with Marcus Sasser to be the Mavs’ backup point guard behind Kyrie Irving. His playmaking and shooting are both enticing attributes for a tall playmaker, and he’ll have the opportunity to develop into the point guard of the future next to Cooper Flagg. Take a chance on him.

Jalen Duren's contract extension talks with Detroit dragged out all summer and right up to the Oct. 1 qualifying offer deadline. These were widely reported contentious talks that league sources at one point had described to NBC Sports as "noxious."

Jalen Duren said none of that came from him and — after signing a five-year, $200 million new deal that keeps him in Detroit — pushed back on the idea that there is any issue between him and the Pistons when he sat down in front of the media Sunday.

"There's been a lot of talk, speculation, false narratives around my name throughout the entire summer..." Duren said. "I've never spoken to anyone in the media, made any statements or comments about anything or everything that's been out there. So you can accept those as rumors....

"I am a Detroit Piston. I want to be a Detroit Piston for life. I want to give everything I got for this city and the fans... I want the city to know that I truly do believe in what we're building. I truly do believe in the players and the organization and the coaches that we have, and I want y'all to believe in me and my work ethic and my ability to want to grow as a man and a player."

Duren also talked about coming off some of the greatest highs of his career, but also a bitter taste about how things ended. Duren is coming off a breakout regular season where he averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, played high-level defense in the paint, and was at the heart of how Detroit bullied teams to 60 wins. He was named both an All-Star and All-NBA player.

Duren's lows came in the playoffs, where he struggled on both ends of the court, averaging 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, and he had a negative plus/minus for the postseason. Duren owned that.

"It was humbling, I just need to get better..." he said. "I'm man enough to acknowledge my flaws, and I'm man enough to acknowledge that I'm not perfect. And I'm also man enough to get my ass in the gym and work on those things and get better. I'm not trying to run from anything."

While the postseason was rough, Duren is 22 years old, and pigeonholing him as a guy who cannot grow from his first real postseason experience would be a mistake.

Duren's contract issue is that he was a restricted free agent, a situation where the team has almost all the leverage in negotiations. Combine that with the playoff struggles, and the Pistons were looking to save money in a tax-apron world where they also have to pay Ausar Thompson (a new five-year, $155 million extension) and MVP-candidate Cade Cunningham. Finding a number both sides could accept took time and wasn't easy.

One thing professional athletes do very well is move on from rough situations and not get dragged down by them. Duren isn't mad about how it all went down.

"I never looked at it as a dreadful situation because people are going through way worse," Duren said. "We're talking about negotiating a lot of money. There's no way I could be upset with that."

Now he has his money and the Pistons are whole.