With the Minnesota Timberwolves trading for LaMelo Ball, one thing is fairly evident: the Wolves will have one of, if not the, best starting backcourts in the NBA as Ball teams up with Anthony Edwards.
Now, it remains to be seen how quickly things can jell between the two. Even Edwards seems to believe it could take a little time for them to develop chemistry. There's a reason, though, that excitement is through the roof for the fan base.
Which other teams also find themselves in the running for the best backcourt in 2026-27? Here are three others.
Some honorable mentions include the Oklahoma City Thunder (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace), Philadelphia 76ers (Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe), New York Knicks (Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart), and Indiana Pacers (Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard).
3. San Antonio Spurs: De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle
It wasn’t a great NBA Finals for De’Aaron Fox, but he played well enough to be named to his second All-Star team. Stephon Castle is already one of the best two-way guards in the league.
If this included the top reserve guard as well as the starters, San Antonio might be on top with the addition of Dylan Harper. It’s an embarrassment of backcourt riches for the Spurs, and it has led many to speculate that Fox will be traded in the not-too-distant future.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers: James Harden and Donovan Mitchell
The Cavaliers traded Darius Garland in February in order to upgrade—in their eyes—their starting backcourt by acquiring James Harden in return. Pairing Harden with Donovan Mitchell gave Cleveland two guards who can light up the scoreboard on any given night.
An issue with this backcourt is its defense. Harden has never been known for his defensive prowess, and he’ll be 37 years old once next season begins. In this year’s playoffs, Jalen Brunson made sure to get James Harden in isolation and had a field day with him in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
1. Los Angeles Lakers: Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves
The Lakers no longer roster LeBron James. They do have Luka Doncic, who has made six of the last seven All-NBA First Teams. Also on the team is Austin Reaves. He may have been in line for his first All-Star appearance had he not suffered a left calf strain on Christmas Day.
Reaves has seen his scoring average increase in each of his five years in the league, while Dončić is fresh off his second scoring title. Now, it’s important for the Lakers to see both of them healthy for the postseason.
Are these starting backcourts better than Minnesota’s?
Now, we have to let the 2026–27 season play out. Edwards and Ball have yet to play a game together.
The most accomplished backcourt is likely Cleveland’s. Harden isn’t the player he was at his MVP peak, though. The Lakers’ backcourt was swept in the first round by the Wolves in its first playoffs together, and Dončić didn’t play in the 2026 postseason. Harper and Castle might have the most potential, but for now, Harper is a super-sub.
Edwards is widely seen as the best shooting guard in the NBA. The Charlotte Hornets saw their offense improve exponentially over the last few years when Ball was on the floor. Their case as the league’s best starting backcourt is as strong as anyone’s.
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