- Divisions do not play a role in the standings but still exist in the breakout of teams
- Both the Eastern and Western Conference are stacked with star power in their divisions
- There will be situations where the majority of teams in a division won’t have the best players
In each conference in the NBA, there are divisions to separate the 15 teams into three groups. The Eastern Conference has the Atlantic Divison, Central Divison, and Southeast Divison.
The Western Conference includes the Northwest, Pacific, and Southwest Divisions. It would be more than interesting to explore the tantalizing idea of constructing the ultimate superteam within each of the NBA’s divisions.
This could offer a captivating glimpse into what could transpire if the league’s top talents joined forces under a single banner. From the Atlantic to the Pacific, and all the divisions in between, we delve into the intricacies of assembling these fantasy teams, taking into account player strengths, styles, and team dynamics.
Join us as we embark on this imaginative endeavor, envisioning the amalgamation of talent, skill, and charisma that could define the NBA’s 2023-24 season.
While these superteams may never grace the hardwood together, the excitement they generate reflects the boundless possibilities that lie at the heart of professional basketball’s enduring appeal. Here is each superteam that can be created in every NBA division for the upcoming regular season.
Atlantic Division: Inside-Outside Domination
Superteam: James Harden, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Julius Randle, Joel Embiid
The Atlantic Division includes the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and Toronto Raptors. The superteam created will only take players from the Celtics, 76ers, and Knicks.
A former MVP of the league, James Harden is a scoring virtuoso and a master of offensive versatility. His exceptional ball-handling, court vision, and scoring make him a top-tier playmaker.
Harden’s ability to orchestrate the offense (league-leading 10.7 assists per game), create shots for himself and his teammates, and draw fouls from defenders adds a dynamic element to the team’s attack.
Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown’s emergence as a two-way star has been remarkable. His athleticism, defensive prowess, and rapidly improving offensive game make him an invaluable asset.
Brown’s defensive skills allow him to guard multiple positions, disrupt passing lanes, and provide solid perimeter defense. This past season, Brown averaged a career-high 26.6 points per game.
Jayson Tatum’s scoring versatility to create shots from anywhere on the court adds another dimension to the team’s offensive repertoire. His footwork, shot-making, and growing playmaking skills make him a focal point in both isolation situations and team-oriented plays, as seen from the 2023 campaign when he averaged 30.1 points per game.
In the frontcourt, Julius Randle’s unique skill set as a forward with playmaking and inside-out scoring diversify the team’s options. The best player in New York right now, Randle will be a perfect option to run on the break with Harden pulling the strings.
Joel Embiid’s dominance in the post and his shot-blocking presence anchor the team’s interior defense. His offensive versatility as a skilled big man who can score inside and step out for mid-range shots adds a strategic advantage. The reigning MVP will bring his 33.1 points per game average to solid scorers around him.
Collectively, these five players form a superteam that embodies both offensive firepower and defensive prowess. Their combined skills cover playmaking, scoring, shooting, and defensive versatility, enabling the team to excel in various game scenarios.
Central Divison: Supreme Athleticism
Superteam: Donovan Mitchell, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Evan Mobley
The superteam composed of Donovan Mitchell, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Evan Mobley in the Central Division represents a perfect blend of skills, versatility, and star power.
Donovan Mitchell’s explosive scoring and leadership qualities make him a cornerstone of this superteam. His knack for scoring in various ways, including driving to the basket, hitting jump shots, and excelling in isolation situations, adds a crucial dimension to the team’s offense, even if he isn’t a natural point guard.
The scoring versatility, athleticism, and improved defensive efforts of Zach LaVine enhance the team’s offensive potency.
He can shoot from long range (career 38.4%), attack the rim, and create his own shot makes him a difficult matchup for opponents. This backcourt is supremely athletic in terms of running the floor and creating offense.
DeMar DeRozan’s proficiency in mid-range scoring and his playmaking abilities significantly bolster the team’s offensive options.
His exceptional footwork to create shots in tight spaces adds a unique dimension to the team’s offensive strategy. Even at age 34, DeRozan’s athleticism is difficult to handle for opposing teams as a 6’6” swingman.
The unparalleled combination of size, athleticism, and skills of Giannis Antetokounmpo makes him a transcendent player in the league. His skills in driving to the basket, and creating mismatches as a playmaking forward are unmatched.
Giannis’s defensive prowess and shot-blocking capabilities fortify the team’s interior defense, creating a versatile defensive anchor. There is no doubt that The Greek Freak is the anchor of the Central Divison in terms of impact and athleticism.
Finally, Evan Mobley’s defensive instincts, shot-blocking (career 1.6 blocks per game), and emerging offensive game add depth to the team’s lineup. His presence as a rim protector and his skill to switch on defense make the team a formidable force on that end of the floor.
Mobley’s budding offensive skills, including his shooting and post moves, contribute to the team’s scoring options.
The diverse skill sets in various aspects of the game create a synergy that can contend with any opponent in the Central Division and beyond. More so than any other division, the Central Division is stacked with elite athletes.
Southeast Division: Guards Galore
Superteam: Trae Young, LaMelo Ball, Jimmy Butler, Paolo Banchero, Bam Adebayo
The superteam featuring Trae Young, LaMelo Ball, Jimmy Butler, Paolo Banchero, and Bam Adebayo in the Southeast Division forms a dynamic and versatile group that covers various aspects of the game that will be heavily guard-oriented.
Trae Young’s exceptional ball-handling, deep shooting range, and elite passing skills (career 9.3 assists per game) make him the engine of the team’s offense.
Despite being undersized, Young is a load to handle on offense because if he isn’t scoring he is looking to dish. A dynamic ball-handler, Young will have to share the usage rate with LaMelo Ball.
The point guard of the Charlotte Hornets, LaMelo Ball’s flair for playmaking, court vision, and basketball IQ make him a perfect complement to Trae Young.
He can push the tempo, make creative passes, and contribute to rebounding bolsters the team’s transition game. Another ball-dominant player, Ball will orchestrate the offense with All-Star Trae Young.
Unlike the backcourt which features offensive-minded guards, Jimmy Butler brings leadership, defensive intensity, and scoring prowess to the team.
His tenacity on defense to guard multiple positions, and leadership qualities set the tone for the team’s commitment to both ends of the floor. There is no doubt who the leader of this team is.
Even if he just came off a rookie season, Paolo Banchero’s combination of size, skill, and versatility as a forward adds a dimension of inside scoring and defensive presence.
Banchero’s emerging skills make him a potential future All-Star and a mix of scoring and size will be beneficial to this guard-dominant side.
Finally, to bring versatility to the center position, Bam Adebayo’s defensive prowess, shot-blocking, and versatility as a playmaking big man make him an invaluable asset. His rim protection and knack for generating turnovers elevate the team’s defensive capabilities.
Collectively, these five players form a well-rounded superteam that thrives on its offensive creativity. The guards of this team will be extremely ball-dominant and everything will run through them as much as possible, allowing Butler and Adebayo to focus on defense and keep Banchero as the primary passing option on the block.
Northwest: Offensive Perfection
Superteam: Damian Lillard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, Nikola Jokic
When trying to create a superteam with perfect offensive players, it is hard to look further than the Northwest Division. The teams include the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, and Portland Trail Blazers. However, only four of these teams will have players make the superteam cut.
As the leader of the team, Damian Lillard’s deep shooting range, clutch scoring, and leadership qualities make him the team’s primary offensive weapon.
His tendency to hit shots from well beyond the arc, create his own shot, and excel in high-pressure situations adds a dimension of offensive explosiveness. When it is time to close, it will be “Dame Time” as the player who posted an impressive 32.2 points per game in 2023.
A dominant offensive player as well, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s versatility as a playmaking guard will be valuable alongside players who thrive on receiving the ball in their spots.
Capable of scoring in the half-court with speed and basketball IQ and also dominating on the fast break, 2023 All-NBA Team member Gilgeous-Alexander will form a dominant backcourt with Lillard.
Anthony Edwards’ athleticism, scoring, and potential for growth make him an exciting addition to the superteam. The rising superstar does not always need the ball to score because he is adept at coming off screens or attacking the basket on the break, so he is a perfect choice for a dominant backcourt.
Karl-Anthony Towns‘ versatility as a big man who can shoot from outside (career 39.5% 3-PT FG), score in the post, and protect the rim adds a unique dimension to the team’s lineup.
His elite shooting and rebounding prowess contribute to offensive spacing and second-chance opportunities. Amazingly, Towns will also have to be the primary defender for a very offensive-oriented side.
Finally, the best player on the team is the two-time MVP and reigning NBA champion, Nikola Jokic. Jokic’s exceptional playmaking skills from the center position and his versatile scoring ability make him a linchpin of the team’s offense.
His court vision, passing, and high basketball IQ create opportunities for open shots and easy baskets.
This team does not need any more offense but having a dominant playmaking center like Nikola Jokic means the Northwest division has the best offensive firepower in the league.
Even if they won’t defend at a high level in comparison to other sides, they will be able to go off on offense in a matter of a few possessions.
Pacific Division: The Avengers
Superteam: Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis
The Pacific Division superteam is known as “The Avengers” for a reason. With arguably five of the NBA’s best 15 talents in the league in one team, there might be no way to stop them from doing whatever they want on the court. There might not be another divisional superteam that can top them in winning intangibles.
Stephen Curry’s revolutionary shooting, deep range marksmanship (42.8%), and off-ball movement make him an offensive juggernaut. His mere presence on the court forces defenses to stretch, opening up space for his teammates.
Curry’s combination of scoring, playmaking, and leadership would set the tone for the team’s offensive strategy as the best point guard in the world right now.
As the best shooting guard in the NBA, Devin Booker’s scoring versatility, mid-range game, and three-point shooting make him a potent offensive threat.
His tendency to create his own shot and excel in isolation situations adds a dynamic scoring element. If slowing down Curry wasn’t enough, dealing with Booker makes this backcourt ridiculous.
Is there any doubt about who the leader of this team is? LeBron James’ unparalleled playmaking, basketball IQ, and versatility make him the team’s ultimate facilitator.
His capacity to orchestrate the offense, contribute to scoring, and elevate his teammates’ performances is unparalleled. LeBron’s leadership would further solidify the team’s identity as he is the primary playmaker with Curry and Booker moving to get open.
The Pacific superteam is unstoppable already, but how about adding Kevin Durant? Kevin Durant’s scoring finesse, shot-making, and length provide the team with an unmatched offensive weapon (29.1 points per game in 2023).
At nearly 7 feet tall, Kevin can be a disruptor on defense while getting easy chances to shoot over helpless forwards. Durant won back-to-back titles the last time he played on a superteam, so imagine what he can do with the rest of the “Avengers”.
As the most versatile center in the game on both ends, Anthony Davis’ defensive versatility, shot-blocking, and inside scoring contribute to the team’s interior dominance.
His ability to guard multiple positions and protect the rim adds an invaluable defensive anchor. A shot-blocking monster with rebounding skills, Davis is enough to hold the fort down on defense.
Collectively, these five players form a superteam that blends shooting, playmaking, scoring, and defensive skills into a cohesive unit.
The synergy among these players, each with their unique strengths, creates a team that can adapt to various game situations and opponents. With the best players in the world in every position, this squad is simply on another level.
Southwest Division: Ball-Handling And Teamwork
Superteam: Ja Morant, Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Zion Williamson, Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Southwest stars bring elite ball-handling and playmaking as they aim to make each other better on the court. Whether that entails having the best divisional superteam or not remains to be seen, but it will be hard to slow down this team on offense.
However, they do have a weakness when it comes to defense with only their bigs acting as above-average defenders.
The athleticism, speed, and court vision of Ja Morant make him a pivotal playmaker for the team. His tendency to create opportunities in transition, penetrate defenses, and distribute the ball to open teammates adds a dynamic element to the offense.
The superstar also happens to be the most explosive player on the team… in the frontcourt.
The other head of the backcourt, Kyrie Irving’s exceptional ball-handling, scoring arsenal, and clutch performances bring a scoring spark to the team.
His ability to create shots from anywhere on the court, navigate through defenses, and hit tough shots makes him an unstoppable figure alongside another ball-dominant point guard.
The all-around skills, basketball IQ, and court vision of Luka Doncic elevate the team’s playmaking abilities. Luka will operate as a primary ball handler, score from beyond the arc, and orchestrate the offense making him a focal point.
Even if Morant and Irving are traditional point guards, Doncic will handle the ball a ton and act more as a “point-forward” for this uptempo squad.
Talking about Ja Morant’s explosiveness, Zion Williamson is the guard incarnated as a big man. Zion Williamson’s explosiveness, power, and scoring in the paint at 6’6” and 284 lbs make him a force to be reckoned with.
Zion’s natural skill of finishing through contact, and contributing on the boards provides a potent interior presence. Williamson’s combination of size and athleticism creates matchup nightmares for opponents as well.
Finally, the only true defender on the team, Jaren Jackson Jr.’s shot-blocking, defensive versatility, and three-point shooting add depth to the team’s lineup.
His rim protection and three-point shot create opportunities on both ends of the court. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year will have his hands full protecting the paint.
Which NBA Divison Has The Best Superteam?
Overall, there is no doubt that the Pacific Division will have the best superteam. Not only is LeBron James surrounded by the NBA’s best shooters and scorers (Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant), but he can also trust Anthony Davis to dominate on defense.
Imagine taking the Phoenix Suns’ best two players and giving them the presence of the Lakers’ two best talents. Finally, adding four-time NBA champion and the greatest shooter ever in Stephen Curry makes their talent overkill.
The second-best lineup is that of Atlantic Divison. James Harden is on the decline, but he can still be the league leader in assists, and he is surrounded by elite offensive players in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Julius Randle, and Joel Embiid.
Having the league MVP down low and elite perimeter players around him makes this side dominant when it comes to controlling games.
The Northwest is right in line with the Atlantic Division because Nikola Jokic can control the entire offense in both the half and full-court while stars Damian Lillard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, and Karl-Anthony Towns score in bunches.
The only reason the Northwest Division is slightly behind the Atlantic Division is due to a lack of defense.
In fourth place is the Central Division because the athleticism is off the charts. Mainly, Giannis Antetokounmpo is already a load to handle on the court but surrounding him with elite athletes (Mitchell, LaVine, DeRozan) who can score is simply scary.
Even having 21-year-old Evan Mobley down low means they won’t be pushovers on defense.
The Southwest has too many similar players but they are extremely talented. Morant, Irving, and Doncic will dominate the ball and create easy offense but they are defensively limited.
Williamson and Jackson Jr. provide athleticism and size, which means there is no way this team is the worst of the bunch.
That means the “worst” superteam has to be the Southeast Division. The backcourt of Trae Young and LaMelo Ball is extremely talented offensively but they have heavy usage rates and are not elite defenders by any means.
Having two guards who are easy to get past means there must be big men down low, but the undersized Bam Adebayo won’t be enough to make the difference.
