NBA roster analysis: ranking the top trios on all 30 teams
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ESPN’s annual review of every franchise’s three-player nucleus places the Oklahoma City Thunder alone at the summit, while the Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz headline a full-scale rebuilding tier. The breakdown weighs present performance, future upside and the likelihood each trio stays intact over the medium term.
Tier 1 – A league of their own
Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams
After winning 68 games and the 2025 championship with one of the youngest title rosters ever, Oklahoma City extended all three cornerstones this offseason, solidifying long-term supremacy.
Tier 2 – Knocking on the door
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon
Two narrow Game 7 exits keep Denver from a potential three-peat, but the league’s best player and two proven co-stars remain firmly in contention.
Tier 3 – Best of the East
Cleveland Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley
A 64-win regular season was followed by a second-round loss to Indiana, keeping Cleveland just outside the top tier.
New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby
Fresh off their first conference-final appearance in 25 years and a coaching change, New York believes this trio can end a 50-year title drought.
Tier 4 – Ascendant young teams
Atlanta Hawks: Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher
Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis can become free agents next summer, but last season’s Most Improved Player (Daniels) leads an intriguing young core.
Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, Ron Holland, Ausar Thompson
Cunningham earned first-time All-Star and All-NBA honors while returning Detroit to the playoffs; multiple young teammates vie for a long-term spot beside him.
Houston Rockets: Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson
Kevin Durant’s contract status is unresolved, so Thompson joins after Fred VanVleet’s preseason ACL tear opened a larger role.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle
Back-to-back conference-final trips raise expectations; Randle replaces Rudy Gobert after signing an extension.
Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane
Orlando paid heavily to add Bane while Jalen Suggs recovers from knee surgery; efficiency gains from Banchero and Wagner could swing the season.
San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper
Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle exits the core after San Antonio both traded for Fox and drafted Harper at No. 2, all built around Wembanyama.
Tier 5 – Gap years
Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White
Tatum’s May Achilles tear sidelines him most of 2025-26, leaving Boston to bide time before another title push.
Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Pascal Siakam
Haliburton’s Finals Achilles tear delays Indiana’s momentum; Nembhard’s breakout moves him into the trio.
Tier 6 – Old stars with big questions
Dallas Mavericks: Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving
Luka Doncic is in Los Angeles and Irving rehabs an ACL; rookie Flagg must produce immediately while Davis tries to stay healthy.
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green
The Warriors went 22-5 when Curry and Butler were both available, but all three core players are 35 or older.
LA Clippers: Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Ivica Zubac
Major roster additions were offset by lingering health and league-investigation concerns surrounding Leonard.
Los Angeles Lakers: Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves
A sciatica issue threatens James’s season start as the league’s oldest player approaches 41; durability and shooting remain questions.
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, Myles Turner
With Damian Lillard back in Portland, Milwaukee replaces Brook Lopez with Turner and faces a steep talent drop-off at the third spot.
Tier 7 – Changing the course
Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Cedric Coward
Injuries to Morant and Jackson plus roster turnover have Memphis recalibrating after once being viewed as an elite young core.
Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe
Health remains the dominant storyline as Embiid and Paul George battle injuries; rookie Edgecombe claims a core position.
Tier 8 – Stuck in the middle
Chicago Bulls: Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, Noa Essengue
History suggests another 38-win season; Giddey’s new deal and consecutive lottery picks headline a roster lacking clear direction.
Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware
With Jimmy Butler now in Golden State, Miami hunts for a co-star to lift the club out of consecutive play-in finishes.
Sacramento Kings: Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray
Murray awaits an extension while the Kings pivot to a reconfigured roster resembling a Chicago reunion.
Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, Collin Murray-Boyles
Barnes’s max extension is joined by Ingram’s deadline arrival and rookie Murray-Boyles, but long-term upside appears limited.
Tier 9 – Starting a rebuild
Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel
Persistent injuries opened the door to draft Knueppel at No. 4; front-court questions persist after trading Mark Williams.
New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson, Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen
New leadership installs two lottery picks around a fit Williamson following the departure of basketball chief David Griffin.
Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker, Ryan Dunn, Khaman Maluach
With Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal gone and limited draft control, Phoenix embraces a long rebuild centered on Booker and two rookies.
Tier 10 – Rebuilding
Brooklyn Nets: Nic Claxton, Egor Demin, Nolan Traore
Brooklyn kept all five first-round selections in June, signaling a full youth movement alongside the 25-year-old Claxton.
Portland Trail Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, Donovan Clingan
An eclectic mix of prospects and veterans leaves Portland’s exact goals unclear heading into the season.
Utah Jazz: Lauri Markkanen, Ace Bailey, Walter Clayton
Despite lottery misfortune, Utah nabbed consensus top-three prospect Bailey at No. 5 and paired him with title-winning point guard Clayton.
Washington Wizards: Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson
Washington’s last three lottery picks form the foundation as the club now carries 10 players on rookie-scale contracts.
The full ranking provides a snapshot of how each organization views its immediate ambitions and long-range strategies through the lens of its primary trio.
Source: ESPN
