In a time where the NBA has found parity around the league, it was because of duos teaming up in many different places. From Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant on the Brooklyn Nets, Anthony Davis and LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers, and even to Paul George and Kawhi Leonard on the Los Angeles Clippers. If this trend were to continue, duos would take over the NBA.
Top Five Young Duos in the NBA
Number Five – Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis
Luka Dončić is fresh off of his rookie of the year season. A year where he shocked the league with his abilities on the Dallas Mavericks. Kristaps Porziņģis is coming off of a bad ACL injury, but hopefully, he will make a full recovery. Dončić averaged 21.2 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, and 6 assists a game last year en route to winning the rookie of the year award. Porzingis was out all of last year but has lifetime averages of 17.8 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game, and 1.3 assists per game. If he can come back and thrive after his injury, this European duo can be a threat for years to come, and might even make the playoffs this year.
Number Four – Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum both had a rough year playing alongside Irving. He is now gone and has been replaced with a leader in Kemba Walker. Last year, Brown averaged 13 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, and 1.4 assists per game. Depending on the Gordon Hayward comeback, Brown will also be the Boston Celtics second best defender on the team. Tatum, on the other hand, averaged 15.7 points per game, 6 rebounds per game, and 2.1 assists per game last year. With star potential running through both of their veins, expect a possible breakout season from at least one, if not both of these players.
Number Three – Trae Young and John Collins
Trae Young came second in voting for the rookie of the year award last year, and he is looking for vengeance on those that doubted him. He averaged 19.1 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, and 8.1 assists per game last year. Young has been putting in work in the summer at the Drew League with other NBA stars. He is ready to make a strong impression in his second year. Speaking of strong second year impressions, John Collins had one for the ages. Averaging 19.5 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game, and 2 assists per game. With the likes of Young dropping dimes to him all season long next year, both of these player’s numbers should increase in the coming season.
Number Two – Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic
Jamal Murray was an amazing force for the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs. Winning games for the team in high-pressure moments from the free-throw line. Last year, Murray averaged 18.2 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, and 4.8 assists per game. Murray is the leader of this team, despite the star Nikola Jokić playing alongside him. Jokić averaged 20.1 points per game, 10.8 rebounds per game, and 7.3 assists per game. He also got selected to an All-NBA team. The coming years should be fun for Denver.
Number One – Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid
Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are the faces of the Philadelphia 76ers. Getting eliminated by the Toronto Raptors in the playoffs should have motivated the two to get even better in the upcoming year. Last year, Simmons averaged 16.9 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, and 7.7 assists per game, while Embiid averaged 27.5 points per game, 13.6 rebounds per game, and 3.7 assists per game. The two should come back next year stronger than ever.
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