Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram: Ranking the top-16 duos in NBA

New Orleans Pelicans: Zion and Ingram vs. the NBA

#8: Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid

Once thought to be the future of the NBA, this duo has probably stayed at the same place on this list over the last few seasons.

Both are very good players but it has yet to translate into much team success as the insufferable “Process” rumbles on.

Simmons might be the best all-around defensive player in the NBA this season and Embiid isn’t far behind. Simmons still can’t shoot but he is a shot creator and a bully in the paint.

Embiid is probably the best center in the league and Simmons is a point guard in a power forward’s body. What’s not to like?

The 76ers would be foolish to trade either one of them for James Harden but it wouldn’t be shocking if they did.

#7: Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving

If this list were made at the end of the season, these two very well could be on top, but I can’t put them much higher until I see them play a few games together.

Durant is probably the league’s best player when healthy and Kyrie is still one of the best pure scorers in the NBA. “When healthy” is going to be the tagline with these two, as their health is the only thing stopping them from taking over one of the top spots in the East.

Durant has also evolved into a plus-defender, though Kyrie is still awful in that department. It will be interesting to see how these two mesh, as that Harden trade is lurking if the Nets want to make a splash.