NBA Duos to Keep an Eye on Next Season

By: Matteo Ametrano

Even with the conclusion of the summer league, and on court team activities for the time being, the NBA is still filled with entertaining trade talks, and lots of anticipation for the upcoming season.

Although the idea of a 'big three' in the NBA is something that is still floating around, teams have been starting to more shape their teams around pairs of great players with significant role players around them. Teams pair a superstar, or all NBA level player, with a second all star level player, and then by surrounding these two players with more defensive, three point shooting, athletic players, teams have been finding success. The Celtics with Tatum, Brown, and the Suns with Paul and Booker, then are surrounded around all the Cam Johnsons, Derrick Whites, and more, that make these teams great. Of course the defending champion Golden State Warriors are the best example of this team building model with Steph and then Klay and all their other other significant pieces. This off season has brought some of these new duos together, and there are some players that are ready to take that step into the elite duo conversation.

Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young and Dejounte Murray

The Atlanta Hawks went all in on acquiring a second guard to pair up with Trae Young in the back court. Murray was sent to Atlanta in exchange for Danillo Gallinari, three first round picks and a pick swap.

It seems like the Hawks are the next team building off similar team building models by pairing their All NBA player, Trae Young with an all-star in Murray to then go with players like John Collin, Clint Capella and more players to fill the roles of size, rebounding, shooting and wing play. Dejounte adds a lot to the Hawks back court, and also allows for more versatility throughout lineups. Now, with Murray, Trae can take more of an off ball role, which is something that we are yet to see, and could be very interesting. With the three point shooting ability of Trae, along with the off the dribble play making from Murray, we are poised to see some intriguing action with these two on offense.

Murray also adds a lot to the defensive side of the ball, an area of Traes game that is not exactly on the All NBA level. Murray led the NBA this past season in steals per game, averaging 2.0.

Trae, Murray and Collins were even seen playing together in a Seattle pro am league this past weekend. The three put on a show for the home gym, and left fans waiting with great anticipation to see what they can do on the NBA stage. Trae Young even took to twitter to show off an impressive two pass ally-oop, that ended with a John Collins slam.

https://twitter.com/TheTraeYoung/status/1553923404314525696?s=20&t=znldjpwJUL_-t2mYhS53cw

Dejounte adds something to the Hawks that Trae simply did not, a two way playmaking guard, who can defend at multiple positions. It will be interesting to see if Murray can help get the Hawks over the hump and return back to the Conference Finals in this loaded East.

New Orleans Pelicans: Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson

Intro The New Orleans Pelicans are coming off a season in which they finished in 9th in the West, and made the playoffs by beating the Spurs and then the Clippers in this year's play-in tournament. The Pelicans, who were without former first overall pick Zion Williamson for the whole season, managed to take the 60 win Suns to 6 games in a tough fought round one series. The future does indeed look bright for the Pelicans, led by coach Willie Green. A contributor to this excitement is of course the signing of Zion to his 5 year rookie max extension, and his pairing up with former Most Improved Player, Brandon Ingram. The Pelicans have developed a great roster full of defensive wing talent and shooting with players in Herb Jones, CJ McCollum, and more. The only looming question now really is Zions health, and how far he and Ingram can take the Pels in this competitive Western conference.

The offensive abilities of these two players are undeniable. Zion, we know, when available in the NBA has been nothing but incredible. Even though he has only managed to play 85 games in his short career, through this time we have seen him average 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on 60% field goal shooting, while earning his first all star selection. Brandon Ingram is now coming off his third straight season where he averaged at least 22 points. With these two paired up together again for hopefully a full season, it is going to be interesting to see just what these two can produce, and how far they can take these young Pelicans.

Ingram, who will be in more of a 2 guard/ wing role playing with McCollum, will have so much more room around the perimeter simply because of the attention Zion will draw in the paint. Ingram, who shot an outstanding 40% on 4.5 attempts these past playoffs from beyond the arch can look to improve and remain consistent with these numbers during the regular season. In comparing the 81 games these two played together to this past season, Ingrams three point attempts go up from 4.1 to 6.2 per game and his percentages increase as well.

We know Zion has out of this world ability, and BI has shown that he can carry an offense in Zion's absence, the only thing holding this duo back now is the massive question mark that is Zion's health.

The Pelicans are ready to take another jump forward following their playoff series against the Suns. This pairing truly adds offensive power with Zion's all world abilities around the rim, and Ingrams three level scoring abilities and wing shooting. With Zion hopefully returning, fully healthy ready to action and Brandon Ingram's continued growth, we will see if this pair can take the leap into the elite duo conversation.

Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes

Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam are most definitely a tandem to keep an eye out for this upcoming season. Both Scottie and Pascal are coming off seasons where they both achieved some individual success that they wish to now turn into more team successes, and a deeper playoff run. Scottie is the reigning Rookie of the Year, and was a member of the all rookie first team following a season averaging 15 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists on 49% field goal shooting. Pascal earned the second all NBA nod of his career while averaging 22 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists on near 50% field goal shooting.

The raptors asked a lot from their fourth overall pick this past season, and he absolutely delivered, being a key factor in the Raptors finishing with the fifth best record in the eastern conference. Now we will look to see improvements in all aspects of Scotties game to see what heights the 6’9 227 pound second year can reach. As for Siakam, a full offseason with no COVID problems, will surely prove to be impactful for Pascals improvements next season. Pascal had to adapt to a new role of his own, being a first year leader on the team in his first full season in the absence of Kyle Lowry.

Long wing players who can defend at multiple positions are at a premium in today's NBA, and these two resemble that perfectly. I believe that the raptors can set themselves up for years of success backboned by this elite duo, and along with shooters and scores in Fred Vanvleet and Gary Trent Jr. There is so much to look forward to about the Raptors and Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam.

On offense, these two allow for so much versatility and size in the raptors lineups. With Scottie and Pascal both showing abilities to score on multiple levels, there is so much to look forward to when these two are on the floor together. Siakams ability to get to the rim in isolation situations against bigger defenders, mixed with the improving jump shooting of Barnes, can cause matchup nightmares all over the floor. With both having great playmaking abilities as well, the transition and half court game for the raptors has so much potential with their speed and Pascals and Scotties growing play making abilities. Last season Pascal averaged a career high in assists, and that number has continued to rise throughout his entire career.

The Raptors were already a great team on defense last season, and we can expect more of this coming up. On the defensive side of the ball, Pascal and scottie cause havoc on multiple levels and can guard multiple positions with their speed as well as size and versatility. The toronto raptors certainly have something to keep an eye out for with these two potential all NBA, and all defensive team candidates.