The Western Conference has a lot of talented Big 3s.
The modern NBA has made it abundantly clear that having a single superstar on a team is no longer sufficient to reach the Finals and win a championship. Nowadays, possessing a Big 3 of All-Stars is one of the key factors for a team’s success in its quest for a championship ring.
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As the 2023-24 season is set to commence shortly, we have undertaken the task of assessing the top Big 3 combinations in the NBA, focusing this time on the Western Conference.
15. San Antonio Spurs
Big 3: Victor Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson
The San Antonio Spurs are one of the youngest teams in the entire NBA. Nevertheless, they have a mix of players who could potentially lead the franchise to a bright future and restore the past glory achieved during the Duncan, Ginóbili, and Parker eras. Victor Wembanyama is poised for greatness, potentially becoming a dominant force for decades while wearing the San Antonio jersey.
Furthermore, their other two pieces are players who play specific roles with less freedom. Given the team’s less competitive overall roster, both Johnson and the young Vassell have made significant leaps in their offensive and defensive performance for the Spurs. Johnson led the team with 22 PPG in 2022-23, while Vassell averaged 18 PPG on the offensive end.
If Wembanyama can approach producing 20 PPG in 2023-24 with San Antonio, the franchise will boast three players capable of scoring in high numbers, all of whom will continue to develop in the future. This could elevate the Big 3 to new heights in the coming seasons. Without a doubt, Wemby will be the key to the franchise’s success.
14. Utah Jazz
Credit: Fadeaway World
Big 3: Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, Jordan Clarkson
Utah surprised the entire NBA with their start to the previous season. After a few months, the team slipped in the rankings but never stopped fighting for a Play-In spot, coming close to securing one. The addition of John Collins to what was already a highly productive duo for the Jazz could improve their chances of making it to the postseason.
Markkanen earned an All-Star nod after a fantastic individual season. The Finnish player averaged 25.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 49.9 FG%, and 39.2 3P% following the best campaign of his career since leaving Cleveland. If he can maintain or improve his performance in 2024, Utah should have a successful season with continued improvement each year.
Clarkson and Collins are two players with more specific roles. Collins didn’t arrive from Atlanta to be a major offensive option, but between him and Clarkson, they should blend well in the pick-and-roll game. While the scoring guard may not be an excellent playmaker, he can utilize Collins’ interior threat to create better scoring opportunities for himself.
13. Houston Rockets
Credit: Fadeaway World
Big 3: Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet, Alperen Sengun
Houston faced numerous challenges in finding collective gameplay in 2022-23. With only 22 wins and the 14th spot in the Western Conference, the Rockets invested much of their future flexibility in a max contract for Fred VanVleet. Despite his subpar shooting year with only 39% from the field, VanVleet averaged 19.3 PPG, 7.2 APG, and 3.9 RPG.
Nevertheless, Houston can rely on Jalen Green, who is entering his third NBA season and continues to make individual quality leaps. He finished the season averaging 22.1 PPG on 41.7% shooting, and in a more organized team with new veterans, he should find better shot opportunities and reduce offensive strain.
Lastly, the Rockets have in Alperen Sengun a valuable asset they shouldn’t squander. Capable of distributing the ball in the post as well as in designed plays, similar to Draymond Green or Domantas Sabonis, the Turkish player will be a vital key to Houston’s success in the upcoming season. With Sengun, the Rockets aim for a better season than the previous one and to compete for one of the eight playoff spots in the first round.
12. Portland Trail Blazers
Credit: Fadeaway World
Big 3: Deandre Ayton, Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons
Portland lost Damian Lillard, who was traded to Milwaukee in the final hours. However, this is not a team destined to have the top pick in the next draft, as they possess valuable pieces to remain competitive. We will not use Jrue Holiday as part of the Blazers’s Big 3, because per a recent report, he will be traded in the upcoming months.
Deandre Ayton arrived in exchange for Jusuf Nurkic from Phoenix and will have the opportunity to grow with a young Blazers team, where he will be one of the central figures and have the offensive spotlight he never had with the Suns. Ayton averaged 18 PPG, and 10 RPG, shooting 58% from the field last season, and his numbers will likely see significant improvement in 2023-24.
On the other hand, the Blazers have two young players who have shown the potential for significant growth. Ant Simons will enter the 2023-24 season after averaging 21.1 PPG in the previous campaign, and he will play a much more prominent role in the absence of Lillard as the unquestioned leader of the team. Scoot Henderson, the rookie from the latest draft, will have an ideal opportunity to become the starting point guard with Lillard’s departure, a difficult void to fill, but he is a player who can become the face of the franchise for the next decade.
11. Oklahoma City Thunder
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Big 3: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Chet Holmgren
The Thunder has shown that they are ready to compete and put tanking aside. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander having evolved into an All-NBA caliber point guard in 2022-23, where he averaged 31.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 5.5 APG on 51% shooting from the field, OKC has the possibility of making it to the postseason this year and beginning a competitive process.
For this, Josh Giddey will be vital, one of the most decorated young point guards in the league at just 21 years old. The Australian finished 2022-23 averaging 16.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 6.2 APG, and shooting 48.2% from the field. Undoubtedly, all his numbers will increase in the following season after showing significant growth in the FIBA World Cup 2023 with his national team. He will be ready to elevate the Thunder to the next level.
The uncertainty lies with Chet Holmgren, who is also the missing piece that could turn OKC into a potential super team for the next decade. Chet will have his rookie year after being injured before the start of the previous season and is poised to compete head-to-head with Victor Wembanyama for the Rookie of the Year award. If he manages to secure the award or at least have a fantastic season, the Thunder could find themselves in the playoff picture come April.
Credit: Fadeaway World
Big 3: De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Kevin Huerter
Sacramento demonstrated that they had one of the best duos in the entire Western Conference last season with Fox and Sabonis. The Kings secured the third position in the standings but fell to Golden State in the first round. Still, their achievement of returning to the postseason after more than a decade cannot be underestimated.
Fox and Sabonis are high-caliber All-Stars, who had outstanding individual seasons in 2022-23. Fox ended the season with averages of 25 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.1 APG, and 51.2% shooting from the field, while the Lithuanian had stats of 19.1 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 7.3 APG, and a remarkable 61% field goal percentage. Both are expected to make a return to the All-Star Game and have a 2023-24 season where they maintain or further improve their numbers. With a growing team, Sacramento has much to prove.
But, not having a third player at the same level could be a factor to consider for the Kings. While Huerter, Barnes, and Monk all had impressive performances, they were not of the same caliber as the dynamic duo. If they don’t perform as expected next season, the Kings’ chances of replicating their past success will be greatly diminished.
9. Memphis Grizzlies
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Big 3: Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane
Memphis boasts a potential MVP candidate in Ja Morant, who averaged 26.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 8.1 APG in 2022-23. However, the electrifying point guard will be sidelined until late December due to league suspension, which will impact the team’s overall production.
Nevertheless, the Grizzlies have alternatives, and one of them is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in the league, Jaren Jackson Jr. The forward/center put up numbers of 18.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.0 BPG, and 1.0 SPG while shooting an impressive 35% from beyond the arc. The 2023-24 season is crucial for Jackson, who must improve on the offensive end to keep Memphis afloat in Morant’s absence.
Furthermore, the Grizzlies have a strong candidate for Most Improved Player in the upcoming season in Desmond Bane, who arguably should have won it in 2022 over Morant. Nevertheless, coming off a season where he averaged 21.5 PPG, the absence of the starting point guard might lead the TCU shooting guard to have an unforgettable campaign and continue to progress in his already impressive numbers.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
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Big 3: Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert
The Timberwolves were disappointing after staking their future on the Gobert trade. They should have been better classified and could not find solutions to their offensive issues between Towns and Gobert. Furthermore, Gobert had a limited impact on defense compared to initial expectations.
Nevertheless, Anthony Edwards made a strong case to be considered the new offensive leader of Minnesota, and perhaps it’s time for the Timberwolves to invest in him as their new franchise player. His 2022-23 season was outstanding, averaging 24.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.5 APG, and 1.6 SPG while shooting 45.6% from the field. After his performance with Team USA in the World Cup, Ant made it clear that he deserves to be the first offensive option for the Wolves in the upcoming season.
Karl-Anthony Towns must address his performance dips, especially in the postseason, where he has been absent in the last two playoff appearances of Minnesota. He barely crossed the 20-point mark with 20.8 PPG, along with 8.1 RPG and 4.8 APG in 2022-23. In the next season, he will need to elevate his game to give the Wolves the place they should have in the Western Conference.
The same applies to Gobert, who, after a major investment, was not utilized effectively and had an underwhelming individual season. His challenging season may have been due to his departure from Utah, where he was comfortable since being drafted in 2013, but he must justify the incredible assets given up to acquire him.
7. Dallas Mavericks
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Big 3: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Grant Williams
Similar to the Kings, Dallas possesses a duo worthy of being All-NBA in any season but leaves much to be desired in terms of the rest of the roster. Sacramento, at least, has a more contributing team rotation, while Dallas heavily relies on its stars.
That being said, one cannot bet against Luka Doncic. With four All-NBA First Team selections in five seasons, Luka has been an elite player since entering the league. He had a phenomenal 2022-23 season with averages of 32.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 8.0 APG while shooting 49% from the field.
Kyrie Irving averaged 27.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 6.0 APG in his 20 games with the Dallas Mavericks. Following an offseason where the Mavs made some moves, including his re-signing, Kyrie should continue to perform at a high level as he did in the latter part of the previous year for the 2023-24 season.
The big question for Dallas lies with the third player in the Big 3. They don’t have anyone who can fill that role with the same production as their two stars. Grant Williams should have a similar role to Draymond Green in Golden State, but other players like Josh Green or Jaden Hardy could play important roles in 2024.
6. New Orleans Pelicans
Credit: Fadeaway World
Big 3: Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram
On paper, the Pelicans have three players who could be All-Stars in any given season. The major issue for this team is injuries, as they heavily rely on Zion Williamson and the MVP-caliber performance he displayed in 2022-23, averaging 26.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.1 SPG while shooting 60.8% from the field. His availability was a significant concern, with only 29 games played.
With a healthy Zion Williamson playing more than half the season, New Orleans has an abundance of talent to support him, including CJ McCollum, who consistently hovers just outside All-Star status. McCollum is coming off a season where he averaged 20.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 5.7 APG.
They also have Brandon Ingram, who has been the franchise player when Williamson was unavailable. Ingram finished the previous season with averages of 24.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 5.8 APG, but injuries limited him to just 45 games.
If the 2023-24 season comes with stars able to stay healthy, it’s challenging to argue against the Pelicans as one of the teams with the most potential for the future. They have the Big 3, role players, and coaching staff needed to achieve great things.
5. Los Angeles Clippers
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Big 3: Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbrook
In the NBA, the Clippers are undoubtedly one of the franchises always considered championship contenders before the season starts. But, like the Pelicans, injuries have kept the California team far from the ultimate goal.
Paul George made the All-Star Game, averaging 23.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 5.1 APG while taking on the team’s leadership role, although he played only 56 out of 82 games during the season. Kawhi Leonard participated in 52 games in the same season, averaging 23.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 3.9 APG. The Clippers had him for just two playoff games, while George couldn’t participate.
This left Russell Westbrook in charge, who had a comeback season with the Clippers after a disappointing stint with the Lakers. He played only 21 games with the team but averaged 15.8 points, 7.6 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game. He also had games of 28, 30, and 37 points in the first round against Phoenix.
The Clippers have one of the best teams in the league, but they desperately need to stay injury-free to achieve their short-term championship goal.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
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Big 3: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves
The Lakers surprised everyone with how they turned their season around and reached the Western Conference Finals, especially considering the rocky start to their campaign.
There are not enough words that can adequately capture the enduring brilliance of LeBron James. Competing in his 19th All-Star game, the King averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in 55 games. At 38 years of age, he shows no signs of slowing down, and it’s unlikely that the 2023-24 season will diminish his remarkable on-court production.
Anthony Davis must overcome the injuries that have plagued him to achieve success once again. His performance in the 2022-23 season was impressive, with averages of 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 56 games. While he played more than half the season, his ability to stay available for the next campaign needs improvement.
Austin Reaves is the franchise’s latest gem. Despite being 25 years old, he continues to make rapid strides in his development, even threatening to earn his first All-Star nod if the team can achieve collective success. In the 2022-23 season, Reaves averaged 13.0 points, 3.4 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in 64 games. However, he played an even more critical role in the Playoffs, and his responsibilities are expected to expand accordingly.
The Lakers have made significant additions to their team, retained D’Angelo Russell as their starting point guard, and assembled a roster of high caliber to support LeBron and Davis in the 2023-24 season. Undoubtedly, their Big 3 has the potential to lead them to victory if they can stay healthy and find the right chemistry on the court.
3. Golden State Warriors
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Big 3: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green
The Warriors are perhaps the team most synonymous with the concept of a Big 3 over the past decade. With four championship rings and a history of success, the Splash Bros and Draymond Green continue to haunt the rest of the NBA.
Stephen Curry demonstrated last year that he is still operating at the peak of his offensive powers. Curry averaged 29.4 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in 56 games in the 2022-23 season. He earned his ninth All-Star Game selection and remains in top form. Unlike Klay and Dray, Curry is still firmly entrenched in the NBA elite and is the driving force behind Golden State’s continued contention.
Klay Thompson’s performance has declined somewhat, but after two injury-riddled seasons, it’s understandable that he hasn’t returned to peak form in recent years. Klay averaged 21.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 69 games in 2022-23, although his shooting efficiency remains a concern at times.
The final piece of the puzzle is Draymond Green, who averaged 8.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in 73 games in 2022-23. While he may not be the multifaceted player he was at his peak, Draymond continues to contribute vital elements to the team, and winning a championship would be difficult without him.
The Warriors chose to retain Draymond over Jordan Poole and acquired Chris Paul from Washington. While they may not be the top favorites for the championship, there’s no denying that their Big 3 remains one of the most formidable heading into the 2023-24 season.
2. Denver Nuggets
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Big 3: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr.
The Nuggets are the reigning champions and boast a roster capable of repeating their feat from the previous season against the Heat. Nikola Jokic enters the new season as the world’s best player after averaging 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists in 69 games in 2022-23. He earned his fifth All-Star selection and won his first Finals MVP.
Jamal Murray, coming back from injury, solidified himself as an elite perimeter player in the league. Murray averaged 20.0 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds in 65 games in 2022-23, and he was a lethal weapon in the Playoffs when Denver unleashed an unstoppable offensive onslaught. His next goal is to make the All-Star team in the upcoming season.
Similarly, Michael Porter Jr. is also a candidate for an All-Star nod and could enter the conversation for the Most Improved Player award in the next campaign. Porter Jr. posted averages of 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and shot 41.4% from three in 62 games. If he can surpass the 20-point mark in the next season, he will be one of the premier names to watch.
1. Phoenix Suns
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Big 3: Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal
The Phoenix Suns have reached a point where it’s “Championship or Bust” for the upcoming season. In 2022-23, they struggled to establish the desired team chemistry due to Durant’s mid-season trade. With the addition of Bradley Beal (and now Jusuf Nurkic for Deandre Ayton), they have no excuses for not returning to the Finals.
Devin Booker has demonstrated that this is his team, reaching an otherworldly level of efficiency in the postseason. During the regular season, Booker averaged 27.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds in 53 games, but in the playoffs, those numbers rose to 33.7 points, 7.2 assists, and 4.8 rebounds in 11 games.
Kevin Durant had his debut season in Arizona, and while he didn’t disappoint, averaging 26.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists wearing a Suns jersey, the playoff loss to Denver will motivate him to improve his numbers in the 2023-24 season, as he did in Brooklyn.
Bradley Beal is the final piece of the Big 3 that will cause problems for the rest of the NBA. The former Wizard posted averages of 23.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 50 games in the 2022-23 season. While he didn’t match his 2021 production and missed the end of the season, his star status remains intact, and he will continue to be one of the best scorers in the world.
The Suns are obligated to reach the Finals, but they must figure out how to make the team function without a traditional point guard and with so much scoring talent on the floor simultaneously. If they can find the right balance, it will be incredibly challenging to stop Phoenix’s superteam.
