For decades, the concept of a big three as the core of an NBA team has been a defining characteristic of the league.
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green with the Golden State Warriors. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh with the Miami Heat. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen with the Boston Celtics. Not every team is going to have that level of talent. But no matter the roster composition, taking stock of a team’s top three building blocks is an indicator of franchise health — both now and into the future.
With that in mind, we set out to determine all 30 teams’ core three players and where they fall in comparison to one another. Some teams’ cores, such as the two in our top tier, are self-explanatory. Determining those further down the list — such as three Western Conference contenders led by future Hall of Famers or franchises in various stages of their rebuilds — relied on more than just identifying each team’s three most talented players.
Note: A combination of factors (including players’ ages, contracts and projected futures with the franchise as well as each team’s place in its developmental cycle) helped determine which players made up each core.
Jump to a tier:
Championship-ready | The Jokic tier
Elite, with questions | Prime-age talent
Legend-led teams | Rising young cores
Stuck in the middle | Injury questions
Promising but unproven | The rebuilds
Average core age: 28.4
The defending champion Celtics are one of several teams that could feature options beyond the three listed, given the roster also includes former All-Stars Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Ultimately, though, this is a team built around the talents of Tatum and Brown on the wing, and White, 30, is the longer-term answer at point guard. Despite the potential financial cliff coming next summer, Tatum, Brown and White should be the basis of a contender in Boston for years to come.
Average core age: 24.2
Even with their stacked roster, the Thunder have a clear top three of Gilgeous-Alexander, a bona fide MVP candidate, plus two of the best talents on rookie-scale contract talents in Williams on the wing and Holmgren in the middle. It has been more than 12 years since the end of the Kevin Durant-Russell Westbrook-James Harden troika in OKC; this group might be the league’s best young core since then and should be together for at least the rest of the decade.
Average core age: 28.9
Murray is off to a sluggish start and Gordon remains an elite role player, but Denver is in third place on this list because of the singular talents of Jokic. It could be argued he, by himself, is enough to be even higher on this list. But until Murray, in particular, can return to the elite form he displayed during Denver’s 2023 title run, the Nuggets will have to be satisfied with third.
Average core age: 26.4
When Dallas acquired Irving just before the 2023 trade deadline, it was unclear how this team was going to find another building block to pair with its dynamic backcourt. Enter Lively, who burst onto the scene as a rookie, helping Dallas reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011. Doncic and Lively should be together through the rest of the decade, but Irving has a $42 million player option for next season.
Average core age: 33.7
The fact that Antetokounmpo’s career-high average of 31.4 points on 60.1% shooting is not enough for the 6-9 Bucks to be higher on this list is indicative of the overall state of Milwaukee’s roster. Lillard is scoring 25.3 points per game, but Milwaukee is being outscored by more than five points per 100 possessions with him on the court. Lopez is still seen as a 3-point shooting threat and a defensive presence, but his shooting percentages are down by several percentage points from last season. The other possible option, Khris Middleton, is hurt. Like in Philadelphia, Milwaukee’s superstar talent is overshadowed by massive questions about its future.
Average core age: 29.8
If this was NBA2K, and you could turn off injuries, there would be a legitimate argument to have this trio top this list. But between Embiid and George’s history of injuries and Philadelphia’s awful start, this trio can’t be any higher on this list. For now, their upside keeps them here — though there haven’t been many ups in Philadelphia’s 2-12 start.
Average core age: 28.2
New York continues to build around Brunson, and the Knicks added an All-Star stretch big man in Towns to create even more operating space for their dynamic guard. The third spot here could go to Mikal Bridges, the wing stopper the Knicks traded five first-round picks to acquire this summer from the Nets, but we’ll give Anunoby the nod after he signed a new five-year, $212.5 million this summer.
Average core age: 25.5
Cleveland could easily have center Jarrett Allen in one of these three spots instead. But given the strong starts for young building blocks Garland and Mobley, they get the nod next to Mitchell. Under new coach Kenny Atkinson, both Garland and Mobley are off to the best starts of their careers and Mitchell is playing the fewest minutes of his.
Average core age: 25.6
Memphis boasts a prototypical big three with a lead guard in Morant, a wing in Bane and a big in Jackson, the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year. A few seasons ago, Memphis would have been battling with Boston and Oklahoma City atop this list, but after a two-year run of injuries to stars and the suspension of Morant, the Grizzlies have ground to make up. Things could turn fast, however, if the Grizzlies can contend for the conference’s top seed and make noise in the postseason.
Average core age: 26.6
Edwards is another singular talent who, by himself, should warrant a higher ranking for his team. But Minnesota’s core beyond him has question marks. Gobert was just signed to a three-year extension but is entering his mid-30s. McDaniels, who signed a five-year extension a year ago, is in the midst of a second straight down season as a shooter after hitting 39.8% of his 3-point attempts in 2022-23.
Average core age: 32.7
If this list was about picking duos for only this season or for winning a single game, the combination of James (even as the league’s oldest player) and Davis would be near the top of the list. But it’s hard to predict what the future holds for the Lakers, no matter the talent on their roster, especially after James himself has announced that retirement is not far off.
Average core age: 31.0
There’s a reason the Warriors are right next to the Lakers; they’re in essentially the same situation with Curry and Green. And while Golden State’s overall roster is better, Green isn’t as good as Davis, and this is only a three-player exercise, meaning the Warriors’ overall depth isn’t counted. Still, the Warriors have gotten off to a great start and have the resources to add a star alongside Curry and Green some time over the next calendar year.
Average core age: 31.8
Another group that was easy to rank this way, in part because of the paucity of talent on the roster outside of Phoenix’s trio of max-contract stars. Durant is once again sidelined by a muscle injury, this time his calf, while Beal has been dealing with elbow and calf issues himself. Like the Lakers and Warriors above them, the Suns’ trio would rank near the top in a one-game or one-season timetable. But over a multiyear span, it’s a different calculus for Phoenix.
Average core age: 22.9
Banchero is sidelined by an oblique injury but had been playing at an All-NBA level to begin the season. Orlando hopes the Banchero-Wagner tandem will eventually be comparable to Boston’s superstar wing duo of Tatum and Brown, while Suggs is arguably the league’s best defensive guard. His 3-point shooting — he shot 39.7% last season but is off to a 30.4% start this season on higher volume — could ultimately determine his, and this trio’s, ceiling.
Average core age: 25.9
Haliburton is the face of the franchise and Siakam was signed to a max deal this summer after being acquired last season, making the two of them automatic options here. The third spot could’ve gone in a few directions but ultimately went to Mathurin, who is off to a terrific start with 19.6 points per game on 53.6% shooting (46.3% from deep) in his third season, looking like a potential long-term fit next to Haliburton in the Pacers’ backcourt.
Average core age: 21.7
Tiering the current Spurs core is a tricky exercise. On one hand, Wembanyama is the player every team would choose to start their franchise. Castle has shown flashes in the opening weeks of his rookie season, while Vassell is finally back on the court after foot surgery in the spring. This is a group that, with another high pick and another year of development for Wembanyama, could easily rise up this list next season.
Average core age: 21.5
Houston’s was the most difficult core to determine, as the roster is full of interesting players both in the future and during the Rockets’ 11-5 start. Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks have been key parts of creating the team’s defensive identity. Jabari Smith Jr. is a former No. 2 pick with prototypical size at power forward and the ability to space the floor and defend. Tari Eason and Cam Whitmore provide sparks off the bench. Ultimately, the choices are Sengun — just signed to a long-term extension last month — and Houston’s two most recent high draft picks. Thompson, a game-changing defensive prospect, joins Sheppard, whom Houston hopes can provide similar impact on offense.
Average core age: 26.6
Since Sabonis arrived in Sacramento in a trade with the Pacers in 2022, he and Fox have become one of the league’s most dynamic guard-big combinations. And while 35-year-old DeMar DeRozan is off to a hot start in his first season with the Kings, Murray is the player Sacramento believes has a chance to ascend to All-Star level in the years to come. But after a first-round exit two years ago and a play-in tournament exit last season, it remains to be seen whether this group can lift Sacramento out of the muddled pack in the ultra-competitive West.
Average core age: 25.7
We are headed into a run of teams where either age or injury impacts their futures, beginning with New Orleans and Williamson, who is once again sidelined by a hamstring injury after making his second All-Star team in 2023. Murray was acquired to be the team’s lead guard this summer, while Murphy was given a four-year, $112 million extension last month, putting them both ahead of Brandon Ingram, who is in the final year of his contract and has been the subject of trade rumors since the offseason.
Average core age: 29.1
Herro is off to the best start of his career, averaging 24.2 points on over 48.6% shooting, but this group is down here because of the combination of Butler’s age, injury history and contract status — he has a player option for next season. Adebayo remains one of the league’s most versatile bigs, as we saw with Team USA this summer, but this group has gone as far as Butler could carry it the past few seasons, and until further notice that remains the case.
Average core age: 32.1
On name recognition alone, it’s hard to believe this Clippers group is this low. But it’s unclear when Leonard will get back on the court, and Harden is now in his mid-30s and is no longer the All-NBA guard he once was, though he’s still a quality lead guard and distributor. Zubac has become a good two-way center but also doesn’t have long-term upside.
Average core age: 23.2
Barnes blossomed into an All-Star last year, while Quickley came over in the Anunoby trade with the Knicks and was given a five-year, $175 million deal to be the team’s long-term answer at point guard. Dick has stepped into the starting spot vacated by Gary Trent Jr. this summer and is impressing, averaging 18.7 points and serving as a reliable scoring option on the wing.
Average core age: 22.7
If this group can stay on the court, it could quickly move up this list. Ball has been hindered by ankle injuries the past couple years but is back on the court and playing well under first-year coach Charles Lee. Miller is coming off a very impressive rookie season and looks like a potential long-term star on the wing. The real question here surrounds Williams, who has all the tools to be an impact player at center — and a perfect fit with Ball — but has been sidelined by injuries for almost a year.
Average core age: 21.8
Detroit is starting to move in a positive direction under new coach J.B. Bickerstaff. That’s led by Cunningham, who has been playing the best basketball of his career. The same can be said for Ivey, who is off to an excellent start after an up-and-down season under Monty Williams. The third spot in Detroit could go a few ways, but we’ll make it Holland, the first pick of the new front office regime and general manager Trajan Langdon.
Average core age: 23.9
Utah’s core is led by an All-Star in Markkanen, who inked a five-year contract extension to remain the face of the franchise. But there’s plenty of work to do beyond that, as Utah is embarking on a lengthy rebuild and hopes to land one of the top five picks in this year’s draft. Until then, it will focus on the development of George and Kessler, and hope forward Taylor Hendricks can make a full recovery after a season-ending injury last month.
Average core age: 21.4
Atlanta is in a fascinating position when it comes to this exercise. Trae Young remains a wizard with the ball in his hands and is obviously the face of the franchise. But with just one guaranteed year left on his deal after this season, the Hawks’ future is more directly tied to their young players: Risacher, the first pick in June’s draft; Daniels, the main player coming back in the Murray trade this summer; and Johnson, who received a five-year, $150 million extension last month.
Average core age: 19.7
If this is a list for the next five years and beyond, Washington would be much higher, as rookies Carrington and Sarr and second-year forward Coulibaly have all shown flashes this season. The Wizards are going to lose a lot of games and are set to add another high lottery pick to this mix again next June, but there’s a lot to like about the long-term potential of this group going forward.
Average core age: 21.0
Portland is in a weird spot. Henderson, Sharpe and Clingan are the most obvious long-term building blocks, but they share positions with the team’s three highest-paid players: Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant and Deandre Ayton, respectively. Like Washington, we’ll see what this group looks down the line, but there’s certainly talent here.
Average core age: 23.4
The Bulls are stuck in no-man’s land on this list. White has blossomed into a very productive player, becoming both a high-volume and high-percentage 3-point threat who can play on and off the ball. But he’s owed $12 million this season and $12.9 million next season, meaning extending him — he is eligible to sign for four years and roughly $90 million in the offseason — ahead of his unrestricted free agency in 2026 is no sure thing. Giddey was acquired in the Alex Caruso trade this summer but wasn’t signed to an extension, leaving his future uncertain. Williams was signed to a five-year, $90 million deal this summer but is currently dealing with another foot injury and shooting 35.4% on 2-point shots this season.
Average core age: 23.0
The Nets are at square one of a rebuild and just starting the process of putting together their future core — their first-round pick in the 2025 draft is undoubtedly the centerpiece of it. Thomas, who is averaging nearly 24 points per game, could be a factor in it, too, depending on his restricted free agency next summer, while Clowney is an intriguing, athletic young big. We’ll give the slight nod to Claxton to round out the trio after he signed a four-year, $100 million deal this summer, but Brooklyn should be active in the trade market over the next few months.
