Whereas there are numerous roads to success within the NBA, essentially the most glamorous and flashy technique is the acquisition of a number of celebrity gamers to type a “superteam,” often a proposition that carries an excessive sense of urgency created by the melding of age and contract standing.
Traditionally, superteams are hit and miss. Examples of success embrace the Miami Warmth’s back-to-back championships in 2011-12 and 2012-13 with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Mixtures of superstars which have failed are plentiful, most notably the 2021-22 Brooklyn Nets’ confluence of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden.
The present NBA collective bargaining settlement has launched a second wage cap apron to additional limit groups’ capacity to construct rosters. However we haven’t seen the whole elimination of superteams. Now, when a restricted free agent desires to signal with one other staff, he and the brand new staff signal a proposal sheet. The phrases of that deal — which should be for not less than two seasons — are given to the participant’s authentic staff, which has two days to match.
If the staff matches, the participant is beneath contract together with his authentic staff however on the principal phrases of the supply sheet. If the staff passes on matching inside two days, the participant is beneath contract with the brand new staff.
A means round these necessities is midseason trades that enable groups an abbreviated run to a championship through a rental, because it have been, of a celebrity participant. The fee for utilizing that tack? The lack of potential future stars and draft picks on which a staff may construct, or rebuild, from inside.
The 2024-25 season began with three superteams: the Philadelphia 76ers, the Phoenix Suns and (marginally) the Los Angeles Clippers.
Of that trio, the Clippers are the one staff with even a successful file — 40-30 and in seventh place within the West as of this writing. Phoenix (34-37) at the moment occupies the ultimate spot within the West play-in match thanks to 3 straight wins, whereas Philadelphia (23-47, thirteenth within the East) has been an unmitigated catastrophe, dropping eight of its previous 10 video games and falling off the tempo for the postseason.
Let’s have a look at these three groups and break down why issues have or haven’t labored out, from worst to greatest:
The 76ers
Philadelphia added free agent Paul George within the offseason to reinforce middle Joel Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey however not often had the three gamers on the court docket on the identical time due to accidents.
After enjoying in simply 39 video games in 2023-24, the 31-year-old Embiid participated in solely 19 video games this season earlier than being shut down on the finish of February because of “ongoing points together with his left knee.” He averaged 23.8 factors per sport this yr after averaging not less than 30 factors and successful two scoring titles in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
George, who left the Clippers to signal a four-year, $212 million free-agent contract, was shut down for the marketing campaign on March 17 due to adductor muscle and knee points. He performed in 41 video games this season, averaging 16.2 factors, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists. It’s the fifth time in six seasons George has performed fewer than 60 video games.
Maxey has not performed since March 3 whereas working his means again from again and finger strains. He’s missed 10 video games since then, and the 76ers have dropped eight of these contests.
The 76ers have been solely 7-8 this season when Embiid, George and Maxey began collectively.
“I don’t assume anyone envisioned it going like this,” Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse mentioned. “It’s disappointing on plenty of ranges.”
The Suns
Mar 21, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns ahead Kevin Durant (35) shoots in opposition to Cleveland Cavaliers ahead De’Andre Hunter (12) in the course of the second half at Footprint Heart. Obligatory Credit score: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Photos The offensive firepower of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal was supposed to have the ability to overwhelm groups within the West, however the trio has additionally been affected by the harm bug and a scarcity of chemistry.
To make issues worse, Phoenix tried to commerce the 36-year-old Durant on the deadline with out the celebrity ahead asking for it. Don’t anticipate Durant to return to the Suns even when they discover a method to put it collectively, make the postseason and create some noise there.
“We anticipate lots out of ourselves individually, and it simply hasn’t materialized the best way we needed to,” Durant mentioned. “It’s been disappointing to see us play this fashion. We gotta take into consideration the day forward of us and making an attempt to get higher and determine how we’re gonna win the following sport and go on from there.”
The three gamers have been introduced collectively earlier than the 2023-24 season after the Suns took Denver to 6 video games within the Western Convention semifinals the earlier yr. Phoenix completed sixth within the West final yr and was swept by Minnesota within the first spherical of the playoffs.
Phoenix has the second-highest payroll for any American sports activities staff at $408.9 million, with the staff getting something however an actual bang for its buck.
The Clippers
Mar 16, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) reacts in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets in the course of the second half at Intuit Dome. Obligatory Credit score: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Photos The Clippers’ melding of Harden with Kawhi Leonard and budding celebrity Norman Powell has the prospect of constructing waves within the postseason, as Harden’s elite play of late has Los Angeles climbing.
Harden is averaging 29.1 factors, 6.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists throughout his final 9 video games because the Clippers have received their previous 5 outings — a stint that has them difficult for the sixth spot within the West.
Leonard’s numbers (19.7 factors, 5.4 rebounds and three assists in 27 video games) are the manufacturing of a complementary participant quite than a star, however one could be silly to low cost him when the sport, or the season, is on the road.
Powell nonetheless leads the staff in scoring at 23 factors per contest regardless of enjoying in solely 49 video games, lacking time not too long ago due to a left knee harm. He returned from a five-game absence on March 16 however tweaked his hamstring.
Having Powell at full energy can be a key issue for Los Angeles over the ultimate three weeks of the common season and into the postseason.