By highlighting the current top two players from each team, we’ve ranked the league’s 30 duos from worst to best. Criteria ? Their recent performances, their strike force, but also their short or medium term potential.
30. Devont’e Graham & Terry Rozier (Charlotte Hornets)
Despite a not-so-bad ranking in the East, the Hornets have shown no signs of progress this season and don’t look like they can make it in the short term. At least not with this casting. If Graham and Rozier fulfill their roles as scorer guards, their tandem is not the most complementary and too insufficient to aim higher.
29. RJ Barrett & Julius Randle (New York Knicks)
For his first year, the third pick of the last draft did his best in another black season for the Knicks. Difficult to perform in such a context but there is no doubt that it will do better in the future. For that, he will have to be better surrounded. Although talented, Randle still does Randle: stats but ultimately very limited impact. Not the player profile that an NBA team can afford to have as a first option.
28. Collin Sexton & Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Good last of their conference, the Cavs still have enough to heal the future thanks to a beautiful youth. And Collin Sexton is clearly the leader of it. With more than 20 points in his sophomore season, the leader made his talent speak and applied for the position of possible franchise player in the reconstruction. To accompany him, we preferred Kevin Love, figure of the franchise, to Andre Drummond, the latter having played very few games with Cleveland since his arrival.
27. De’Aaron Fox & Buddy Hield (Sacramento Kings)
Buddy Hield had a very complicated bubble but one that should not make us forget what he has brought to Sacramento these last two seasons. Alongside De’Aaron Fox, he’s one half of an exciting backcourt that has long been contender in the playoffs. With 40 points on average between them, their strike force is certain but they will have to confirm.
26. Nikola Vucevic & Evan Fournier (Orlando Magic)
The European Magic duo is not the flashiest nor the most formidable. But it is effective. Following an All-Star status acquired by Vucevic in 2019, they brought Orlando to two consecutive playoff campaigns in the Steve Clifford collective. And our national Evan has even just signed his best season in his career. Even if their leadership seems to have its limits on a technical level, we can say that they are optimizing their capacities.
25. Blake Griffin & Derrick Rose (Detroit Pistons)
The association of these two players with their respective bonuses would be a real nightmare for any opponent. Yes but here it is, between repeated injuries and uncertainties about his ability to stay on top, where to situate Blake Griffin’s current level? Derrick Rose is finally “healthy” and his performances are interesting, but does he really have the profile of a reliable lieutenant in the modern NBA? Questions that may find their answers in a few months.
24. Zach LaVine & Lauri Markkanen (Chicago Bulls)
Candidate for the All-Star Game last February and on the edge of the top 10 best scorers, Zach LaVine has exploded this season. In constant progress, the rear is essential as a nice reference to his position. His association with Markkanen could have made some people jealous but the Finn missed out on his season. On paper it is all the same an inter-external tandem with quite serious potential. To monitor !
23. Domantas Sabonis & TJ Warren (Indiana Pacers)
A year ago, who would have thought that this duo would be there? Today Sabonis is an All-Star and TJ Warren was one of the biggest thrills of the record-breaking recovery. Victor Oladipo long absent then diminished, the two players have step up and were the most prominent on the side of Indiana, without taking anything away from the importance of Myles Turner and Malcolm Brogdon who actually made it possible to form a real quartet to the Pacers during the season.
22. DeMar DeRozan & LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio Spurs)
The two Spurs have each delivered their least successful individual season in a long time. Additionally, San Antonio missed the playoffs for the first time in 23 years. At the age of 31 and 35, respectively, are they still able to guide a team together to the playoffs in the Western Conference? Without any disrespect to their solid careers, the question is legitimate for two players of great talent who have never known how to win.
21. Yes Morant & Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)
Barely 21 years old each and these two cracks, rookie and sophomore, came a hair’s breadth away from sending Memphis to the playoffs. A superb performance which already puts them in a special box. With the keys to the franchise in their hands, they will now be eagerly awaited and will have to confirm the effect of past surprise. The future of the Grizzlies appears to be in good hands.
With that, we’ll see you in a few days for the second part of the ranking!
