Over the past decade, the NBA has delivered superstar pairings that will remain in history forever. Some duos lasted over a dynasty, while others were short-lived, but they created some of the most memorable moments in basketball history.
No matter if created via trade or from the draft, what makes a great duo is down to chemistry, complementary skill sets, and the ability to elevate each other in the game’s biggest moments. Taking into account the last 10 years, we rank the most impactful, dominant, and unforgettable pairings.
1. Kevin Durant & Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
NBA Championships: 2 (2017, 2018)
NBA Finals Appearances: 3 (2017, 2018, 2019)
Playoff Appearances: 3 (2017, 2018, 2019)
When Kevin Durant joined Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in 2016, the league instantly shifted. Golden State already had a 73-win season and two Finals trips on its resume, but Durant’s arrival elevated them into a dynasty on par with the all-time greats.
The synergy between Curry’s off-ball movement and Durant’s pure scoring made them an unsolvable perimeter duo under Steve Kerr's system. Together, they captured two championships (Durant earning both Finals MVPs), dominated the postseason, and were the driving force behind arguably the most talented team in NBA history.
What made their partnership so deadly was the complete lack of weaknesses. Curry bent defenses with his shooting range, forcing help that opened up the floor for Durant’s isolation skills. Meanwhile, Durant benefited from more open looks than he had ever seen in Oklahoma City.
Their dominance was so pronounced that the rest of the league scrambled to build superteams just to compete, solidifying their place as the defining duo of the late 2010s. Of course, they had a further boost from All-Star teammates, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.
2. LeBron James & Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
NBA Championships: 1 (2020)
NBA Finals Appearances: 1 (2020)
Playoff Appearances: 4 (2020, 2021, 2023, 2024)
LeBron James and Anthony Davis wasted no time proving their chemistry with the Los Angeles Lakers. Acquired in a blockbuster trade in 2019 for a package of Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and Lonzo Ball with multiple picks, AD was the perfect co-star for LeBron, providing elite rim protection and versatile scoring to complement LeBron’s playmaking.
Their first season together ended with the 2020 NBA title, a run defined by their dominance in the Orlando bubble, where both stars looked unstoppable. They were too big, too strong, and far too talented for anyone to handle in a Covid-stricken season.
In the years since, injuries slowed them, but their ceiling consistently remained among the highest in basketball. Davis’ ability to anchor a defense while also being a top-tier offensive option relieves pressure from LeBron, while LeBron’s leadership and vision unlock the best in Davis. In terms of raw star power, this duo could rank first, but they "only" managed to win a single championship, which drops them to second.
3. LeBron James & Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)
NBA Championships: 1 (2016)
NBA Finals Appearances: 3 (2015, 2016, 2017)
Playoff Appearances: 3 (2015, 2016, 2017)
LeBron’s return to Cleveland in 2014 marked the beginning of one of the NBA’s most iconic partnerships. While LeBron shouldered the leadership and all-around dominance, Kyrie Irving gave the Cavaliers a dynamic scoring guard who could thrive in crunch time.
Their blend of power and finesse paid off in 2016, when the Cavs pulled off the first-ever 3-1 comeback in NBA Finals history against the 73-win Warriors. That run was punctuated by Irving’s legendary step-back three over Stephen Curry, a shot that sealed Cleveland’s first title and forever immortalized their partnership.
Though their time together ended sooner than expected, with Irving essentially admitting he doesn't want to be in LeBron's shadow anymore, their peak was unforgettable. They brought a title-starved city the championship it had been waiting for and left behind one of the most dramatic Finals moments ever.
4. Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)
NBA Championships: 4 (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022)
NBA Finals Appearances: 6 (2015-2019, 2022)
Playoff Appearances: 9 (2013-2019, 2022, 2023)
Before Durant arrived, the Warriors’ dynasty was born on the backs of the Splash Brothers. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson completely redefined NBA offense with their three-point shooting, stretching defenses in ways that had never been seen before.
Their off-ball movement, rapid-fire releases, and chemistry turned Golden State into a powerhouse, culminating in the 2015 championship and setting the stage for years of dominance. Their shooting was demoralizing for opponents because a lead could balloon to double-digits with only a few three-pointers made.
Even after injuries threatened their run, the duo returned in 2022 to capture yet another championship, reminding the league that the Splash Brothers’ formula still works. The only reason they don't rank first is that some of the star players ahead of them brought a little more star power on both ends.
5. Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
NBA Championships: 1 (2024)
NBA Finals Appearances: 2 (2022, 2024)
Playoff Appearances: 8 (2018-2025)
Drafted just two years apart, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown developed together into one of the most complete duos in basketball. Both wings can score, defend, and create, giving Boston unmatched versatility season after season.
Their early years were marked by deep playoff runs, but the ultimate breakthrough came in 2024 when they finally won their first championship together. Tatum, the best player on the team who took the spotlight in every regular season campaign, took a backseat when needed to allow Brown to win Finals MVP - a testament to the sacrifice they both made.
Not to mention, their growth has been steady, with both improving season by season, and their shared timeline suggests Boston could remain in contention for years if Tatum can return to superstar form after an Achilles injury. Unlike other duos formed through trades or free agency, this one was built through the draft, and we have enjoyed their story so far.
6. Nikola Jokic & Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets)
NBA Championships: 1 (2023)
NBA Finals Appearances: 1 (2023)
Playoff Appearances: 5 (2019, 2020, 2023-2025)
The Nikola Jokic-Jamal Murray duo represents the modern NBA at its best, a creative big-man facilitator paired with a fearless scoring guard. Jokic’s historic passing and versatility make him one of the greatest offensive hubs the game has ever seen, and Murray thrives as his partner in pick-and-rolls, dribble-handoffs, and clutch-time isolations.
No doubt, their crowning achievement came in 2023, when they led the Nuggets to their first NBA championship. Jokic dominated with MVP-level production, while Murray delivered big-time performances reminiscent of his 2020 bubble run.
Together, they’ve built a reputation as an unguardable playoff pairing, and they’re still young enough to add more banners in Denver. The key for them to rise above the duos ahead of them is to get Murray firing at all times, and a second title could catapult them into the top three.
7. Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook
NBA Championships: 0
NBA Finals Appearances: 1 (2010)
Playoff Appearances: 6 (2010-2014, 2016)
Few partnerships were as explosive as Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City. Durant’s smooth scoring and Westbrook’s relentless energy made them one of the most dynamic duos of the 2010s.
Together, they led the Thunder to the 2012 NBA Finals and multiple deep playoff runs, often overwhelming opponents with their sheer athleticism and firepower. Their youth and talent suggested a dynasty in the making, as both were still developing into their eventual MVP-caliber selves.
But their time together was ultimately defined by what could have been. Injuries and untimely playoff shortcomings held them back, and when Durant left for Golden State in 2016, it marked the end of an era.
Despite never capturing a title together, their run showed that a superteam can be created through the draft. If KD and Russ had won a championship, they would have ranked in the top three, but falling short in the Finals in 2010 and not returning to that stage again drops them a few spots.
8. Giannis Antetokounmpo & Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks)
NBA Championships: 1 (2021)
NBA Finals Appearances: 1 (2021)
Playoff Appearances: 9 (2015, 2017-2024)
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton were an unconventional duo compared to the star pairings elsewhere in the league, but their results spoke volumes. Giannis, the two-time MVP, was the unstoppable force, while Middleton provided balance with his shooting, playmaking, and poise in clutch moments.
Their complementary skill sets came together perfectly during Milwaukee’s 2021 title run. That championship, highlighted by Giannis’ 50-point Game 6 performance and Middleton’s steady closing ability, ended a 50-year drought for the Bucks.
What makes their partnership so impressive is how it grew organically, a homegrown superstar and a steady All-Star finding ways to maximize each other’s strengths without needing another superstar. This duo wasn't always flashy, but they built a foundation with results.
9. Jimmy Butler & Bam Adebayo
NBA Championships: 0
NBA Finals Appearances: 2 (2020, 2023)
Playoff Appearances: 4 (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Teaming up in Miami, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo embodied the Heat’s gritty, hard-nosed culture. Butler’s ability to take over games in crunch time paired perfectly with Adebayo’s defensive versatility and playmaking from the frontcourt.
Together, they carried Miami to two NBA Finals appearances (2020 and 2023), often outperforming more “star-studded” teams through toughness, discipline, and a refusal to back down. We have to give them credit for overcoming the odds time and time again.
Their partnership was also unique. Butler set the tone with his relentless competitiveness, while Bam complemented him as a do-it-all big man who can guard multiple positions and facilitate offense. They were also the faces of the Heat’s post-Wade era and kept the franchise relevant in almost every season.
10. James Harden & Chris Paul (Houston Rockets)
NBA Championships: 0
NBA Finals Appearances: 0
Playoff Appearances: 2 (2018, 2019)
The James Harden-Chris Paul partnership with the Houston Rockets was short-lived but powerful. In 2018, they came within one win of toppling the Warriors dynasty, pushing them to seven games in the Western Conference Finals. Harden’s scoring brilliance, combined with Paul’s floor generalship, made Houston’s offense nearly unstoppable, and they would have a wing if not for Kevin Durant's decision.
Their time together was also defined by what could have been. A late injury to Paul in that 2018 series arguably cost Houston a championship, and within two years, the partnership dissolved. Still, for that brief stretch, they were the perfect balance of ball-handling and leadership.
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