Unstoppable Forces: Which 7 NBA Duos Will Dominate the 2025-26 Season?

Honorable mention:

• Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox (Spurs). We only saw them together for five games last season (before Wembanyama’s shoulder blood clots ended his season), but if they mesh as expected, I could look foolish for not having them in the top seven.
• Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson (Rockets). A potentially devastating pairing on the wing, and one with a lot more shot creation and team organization responsibilities now that Fred VanVleet is out for the season.
• Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner (Magic). We only got to see them together for 40 games last season (the team had a +3.8 net rating in the minutes they shared the court). Orlando is poised for a leap this season, but needs this duo to stay healthy and take a step forward together.
• Trae Young and Jalen Johnson (Hawks). Another team with a great offseason, but if this team is going to make the leap from being a perpetual play-in team to a top-four squad, these two have to carry the heavy load. Last season the Hawks were a +4.3 when they were on the court together, but that was only in 34 games due to injuries.
• Paul George and Joel Embiid (76ers). Potentially as good as any duo on this list, but they have to stay healthy and on the court this season. Last season they played just 18 games together and both enter this season with questions about their health.