Superteams come and go, but duos remain the backbone of championship success. Including Magic & Kareem to Jordan & Pippen to Shaq & Kobe, the best duos in NBA history have shaped the league for decades. But what about the future? Five years from now, who will be the most dominant, game-changing tandem in the NBA?
Looking ahead to the 2029-30 season, Victor Wembanyama will have an MVP case, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be deep in his prime, and Luka Doncic may have another superstar by his side once LeBron James retires. The NBA’s landscape will look entirely different, and these 15 duos will be at the center of it all.
1. Victor Wembanyama & De’Aaron Fox (San Antonio Spurs)
It’s hard to imagine a more dangerous duo than Wembanyama (currently 21 years old) and Fox (27) five years from now. Wemby will be the best player in the NBA, combining elite rim protection, unstoppable scoring, and playmaking from a 7’4″ frame. By then, he’ll be a perennial MVP candidate and multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year winner for the Spurs.
De’Aaron Fox is the perfect complement—a lightning-fast point guard who thrives in transition and clutch moments. With Wembanyama’s defensive anchor skills and versatile offense, Fox won’t have to carry the full scoring load and can focus on playmaking and attacking the rim. This duo has the potential to bring San Antonio back to championship contention, reminiscent of Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.
2. Nikola Jokic & Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets)
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are already one of the top three duos in the league and five years from now, they should still be near the top. Three-time MVP Jokic will be entering his mid-30s but should remain one of the best offensive forces in the NBA, with his elite passing, scoring efficiency, and rebounding. Murray, meanwhile, will be at the peak of his prime as a high-level shot-creator and playoff performer.
This duo’s chemistry is unmatched, and as long as Denver surrounds them with the right pieces, they will remain title contenders. If they add another championship or two in the next five years, Jokic and Murray could go down as one of the greatest duos in NBA history.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)
The Thunder’s young core is already special, and five years from now, SGA and Holmgren could be at the forefront of a modern NBA dynasty. SGA will likely have an MVP award (or two) to his name, already proving himself as an elite scorer, playmaker, and clutch performer.
Chet Holmgren, meanwhile, will have filled out physically and should be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate every season while still spacing the floor and contributing offensively. If this duo stays together and continues to develop, OKC could be the next great dynasty of the NBA, especially considering the excellent role players they have.
4. Paolo Banchero & Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic)
The Orlando Magic is already building something special, and in five years, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner should be one of the best duos in the league. Banchero’s all-around game makes him an MVP candidate, and by 2030, he’ll be a 30 PPG scorer with elite playmaking skills.
The 23-year-old Wagner is one of the most underrated players in the NBA, but that won’t last long. His versatility on both ends of the floor makes him a perfect No. 2 option, and together, this duo could lead the Magic to multiple deep playoff runs and possibly a championship.
5. Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
Jayson Tatum (nearly 27) and Jaylen Brown (28) have already led the Celtics to deep playoff runs and won an NBA title last year, and in five years, they’ll still be elite. Tatum will be entering his prime and likely have an MVP or two to his name, while Brown will continue to be one of the best two-way wings in the league.
The question is whether they’ll still be together in five years. If they remain in Boston, they will be perennial title contenders, but if they split up, this ranking could look very different. However, we cannot imagine a case where Tatum and Brown don’t retire with the Celtics and because of that, they will rank top five.
6. Luka Doncic & Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers)
The Lakers acquiring 25-year-old Luka Doncic was a franchise-altering move, and pairing him with 26-year-old Austin Reaves gives them a perfect inside-outside duo. Luka will still be one of the best offensive engines in basketball, and Reaves will be the ideal complementary scorer and playmaker.
If the Lakers build the right roster around them, this duo could lead Los Angeles to multiple titles in the post-LeBron era. The question is whether Reaves can take another leap to solidify himself as a true star and based on his performances this season, there is always that strong possibility.
7. Ja Morant & Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)
Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. have already proven their potential with three playoff appearances together, and in five years, they’ll be even better. Morant’s explosiveness and playmaking will still make him one of the most feared guards in the league, while Jackson should continue to be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
The key to their success will be staying healthy and getting more playoff experience. If they do, Memphis could be a perennial contender but they have to realize their potential. The key for them might be how the Grizzlies build around them because Desmond Bane might need to reach All-Star status for the team to gain that edge.
8. Anthony Edwards & Jaden McDaniels (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Superstar Anthony Edwards is already one of the most dominant players in the NBA at 23 years old, and in five years, he’ll be contending with Victor Wembanyama to be the face of the league. His scoring ability, leadership, and clutch performances will make him the man that everybody would want to be like.
The 2023-24 All-Defensive Team member Jaden McDaniels, meanwhile, will be one of the best two-way wings in the league, giving this duo elite defensive versatility. It might be tempting to include Julius Randle but McDaniels might have a higher ceiling considering the former is 30 years old right now. If Minnesota continues to build around them, this could be the best Timberwolves team ever.
9. Donovan Mitchell & Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers)
If Donovan Mitchell stays with the Cavaliers for the long-term, this duo has the potential to be one of the most balanced in the NBA. Mitchell is already an elite scorer, capable of dropping 30+ points on any given night, and thrives as a clutch shot-maker. His playoff experience and leadership make him the perfect offensive anchor for a contending team.
Meanwhile, Evan Mobley is on track to remain one of the best defensive bigs in the league and has made his first All-Star Team this season. A Mitchell-Mobley duo could be the foundation of a future championship run, but it all depends on Mitchell’s long-term commitment and Mobley’s offensive development, along with the growth of others including Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen.
10. Cade Cunningham & Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons)
The Detroit Pistons may still be rebuilding, but Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren have the potential to turn the franchise around completely. Cunningham, a 6’7” point guard, has all the tools to be a superstar playmaker and scorer and he showed that by making his first All-Star appearance this season.
By 2030, Cunningham could be a top-10 player in the league, assuming he continues to develop his efficiency and scoring consistency. Jalen Duren, on the other hand, is shaping up to be a dominant force in the paint. He’s already an elite rebounder, and his rim-running and Detroit could return to major playoff contention for the first time since the early 2000s because of their duo.
11. Jalen Green & Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets)
The Rockets have one of the most intriguing young duos in the league, with Jalen Green’s electric scoring ability and Alperen Sengun’s “Jokic-like” passing and post-play. Green is an explosive athlete and natural scorer, capable of getting buckets at all three levels. If he continues refining his shot selection and efficiency, he could become one of the NBA’s premier scoring guards.
Sengun, meanwhile, is one of the most skilled young bigs in the NBA, with elite passing vision, footwork, and scoring touch. If Green and Sengun develop strong chemistry and the Rockets boost Amen Thompson’s production enough, there could be major trouble for other teams in the West by 2030. It has to be said that Thompson might be the piece to form a Big Three in five years as well.
12. Jalen Brunson & Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks)
Jalen Brunson has proven that he is more than capable of leading a team, and pairing him with Karl-Anthony Towns gives New York an elite inside-outside combination. Brunson is 28 years old but in five years, he could be playing at a consistent All-NBA level, leading the Knicks deep into the playoffs.
Towns is the biggest wildcard in this equation. There’s no doubt that KAT (29) is one of the most offensively talented big men in the league, with elite three-point shooting, post-scoring, and playmaking for a center. If Towns can fully embrace a winning mindset and become a more reliable playoff performer, he and Brunson could elevate the Knicks to serious championship contention.
13. Tyler Herro & Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
Miami’s Heat Culture keeps them competitive, but in five years, this duo may not have the firepower to be a true championship threat. Bam Adebayo is an elite defender, rebounder, and playmaker for a big, and he will still be one of the best defensive anchors in the league. At 32, Adebayo will be in his prime.
Tyler Herro will need to take another significant leap as a star if Miami wants to compete at the highest level after making his first All-Star selection this season. While he is a skilled shot-creator and three-point shooter, he hasn’t yet proven that he can be a true No. 1 or No. 2 option on a title team. If he does reach that level, this Heat duo could crack the top 10.
14. Giannis Antetokounmpo & Kyle Kuzma (Milwaukee Bucks)
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains one of the most dominant forces in basketball, and in five years, he will still be a top-five player in the NBA. Even at 35 years old, Giannis will be 7’0” tall with plenty of experience behind him. However, the biggest concern is whether Kyle Kuzma is the right second star next to him.
Kuzma is a solid two-way forward who can score and defend multiple positions, but he isn’t on the same level as the other second options on this list. If the Milwaukee Bucks fail to pair Giannis with a true superstar-level running mate, it could cost them a chance at another championship.
15. Tyrese Haliburton & Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers)
The Pacers pulled off a major move by pairing Tyrese Haliburton (24) with Pascal Siakam (30) last season, and in five years, this duo could be one of the most well-rounded in the NBA. Haliburton is already an elite passer and high-IQ floor general and he could become a legitimate MVP candidate by 2030.
Siakam brings championship experience, and assuming he doesn’t decline, he could make the Pacers a very solid playoff team moving forward. This duo led the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals last year so there is plenty of time for them to repeat that success over the next few seasons.
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