Targeting two players on the same team has long been a viable draft strategy when it comes to fantasy sports, and a fairly popular one at that. In football, taking a strong quarterback/wide receiver duo gives managers a foundation they can rely on in any given week. The same team-building concept applies to basketball. This article will highlight some of the best combos you should keep your eyes on when doing preparation for upcoming drafts/leagues.
Top Fantasy Basketball Teammate Duos
James Harden, PG/SG / Ivica Zubac, C - Los Angeles Clippers 
Let's start with an obvious one. Yes, the Clippers added Brook Lopez and John Collins to their frontcourt and Chris Paul and Bradley Beal to the backcourt. The majority of the playmaking will still belong to James Harden, and the 28-year-old Ivica Zubac, who broke out with career-highs in scoring (16.8), rebounding (12.6) and double-doubles (59) in 80 games last year, will continue to dominate the minutes at center. The new arrivals will surely eat into playing time for this pick-and-roll nightmare, but that should mean less wear and tear over the course of the season that will keep them fresh when it matters.
Josh Giddey, PG/SG/SF / Matas Buzelis, SF/PF - Chicago Bulls 
After a drawn-out negotiation period over the summer, Chicago brought back Josh Giddey on a reported four-year deal worth about $100 million. With that finally getting done, the Aussie can focus on leading an up-tempo Bulls offense that took
Targeting two players on the same team has long been a viable draft strategy when it comes to fantasy sports, and a fairly popular one at that. In football, taking a strong quarterback/wide receiver duo gives managers a foundation they can rely on in any given week. The same team-building concept applies to basketball. This article will highlight some of the best combos you should keep your eyes on when doing preparation for upcoming drafts/leagues.
Top Fantasy Basketball Teammate Duos
James Harden, PG/SG / Ivica Zubac, C - Los Angeles Clippers
Let's start with an obvious one. Yes, the Clippers added Brook Lopez and John Collins to their frontcourt and Chris Paul and Bradley Beal to the backcourt. The majority of the playmaking will still belong to James Harden, and the 28-year-old Ivica Zubac, who broke out with career-highs in scoring (16.8), rebounding (12.6) and double-doubles (59) in 80 games last year, will continue to dominate the minutes at center. The new arrivals will surely eat into playing time for this pick-and-roll nightmare, but that should mean less wear and tear over the course of the season that will keep them fresh when it matters.
Josh Giddey, PG/SG/SF / Matas Buzelis, SF/PF - Chicago Bulls
After a drawn-out negotiation period over the summer, Chicago brought back Josh Giddey on a reported four-year deal worth about $100 million. With that finally getting done, the Aussie can focus on leading an up-tempo Bulls offense that took the third-most three-pointers (42) in 2024-25. Remember, following the All-Star break last year, Giddey cooked to the tune of 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 1.5 steals across 19 contests, racking up 15 double-doubles and five triple-doubles in the process. A similar run during the fantasy playoffs could be the difference in claiming a championship.
Buzelis, who didn't start a game until early February in his rookie campaign, is set to start from the onset of 2025-26. He's an explosive athlete at 6-foot-10, and with Giddey orchestrating an efficient offense, the Chitown native could be primed for a jump in Year 2.
Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG / Evan Mobley, PF/C - Cleveland Cavaliers 
Donovan Mitchell will presumably be the starting point guard for the Cavs while Darius Garland continues to recover from offseason toe surgery. The 2024-25 All-NBA First Teamer will be tasked with running Cleveland's offense and providing a large chunk of it, too, as last year's starting small forward Max Strus will be out for a significant period of time after undergoing surgery for a Jones Fracture in his left foot in August.
Heading into his fifth season, Evan Mobley should be ready to carry the load while his teammates get back to full health. Last year, he registered a career-high 18.5 points with 9.3 boards, 3.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.6 blocks on 55.7 / 37.0 / 72.5 shooting splits. Don't be surprised if '24-25's Defensive Player of the Year goes above those numbers in 2025-26.
Luka Doncic, PG/SG / LeBron James, SF/PF - Los Angeles Lakers 
After an eventful summer for the Lakers, Luka Dončić and LeBron James look poised to lead an upgraded roster back to the postseason in the stacked Western Conference. Dončić was happy to recruit Deandre Ayton to LA, giving him a talented 7-foot lob threat to work with from the start of training camp. The Slovenian looks to be in the best shape of his young career after guiding his country to a quarterfinals appearance in EuroBasket 2025.
James, who appeared in 70 games a year ago, decided that Father Time needs to wait at least one more year. The 40-year-old will be suiting up for what will be an all-time NBA record 23rd season in 2025-26. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 boards, 8.2 dimes, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks a season ago, and there's plenty of evidence suggesting the King will keep torturing defenses alongside his superstar running mate in Dončić.
De'Aaron Fox, PG / Victor Wembanyama, C - San Antonio Spurs 
Assuming both De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama are healthy, this dynamic duo will spearhead a new era of Spurs basketball on both ends of the court. Fox only made 12 appearances for San Antonio after they acquired him at last year's trade deadline because of a left pinkie finger injury. Fox is locked in as the starting point guard alongside the Frenchman for their debut in 2025-26.
Wembanyama is expected to be ready to roll for training camp, a tremendous sign for the 21-year-old and the Spurs. Before being shut down for the 2024-25 season, 'The Alien' averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals and an NBA-best 3.8 blocks per contest over 46 outings. It'll likely cost you a top two overall pick in your draft, but Wemby has all the opportunity and tools necessary to provide plus-production in nearly every statistical category.
Nikola Jokic, C / Christian Braun, SG/SF - Denver Nuggets 
It feels like all Nikola Jokić has done for the past five years is record one unbelievable season after the next. 'The Joker' has three league MVP awards and two second-place finishes since 2020-21. In 2024-25, he averaged a triple-double with 29.6 points, 12.7 boards and 10.2 assists across 70 outings, adding 1.8 steals and 0.6 blocks. There's no reason to put any sort of limit on Jokić's potential, especially when considering he's still in his prime at age 30.
Although Denver traded for Cameron Johnson and signed Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway, Jr. to bolster their second unit, Christian Braun remains the primary combo target if you're lucky enough to draft Jokić. The Nuggets swapped out Michael Porter, Jr. for Johnson, and despite him assuming the starting small forward spot, Braun has the benefit of pre-existing chemistry with Jokić and experience in Denver's system that gives him the edge. Across 79 games last season, he posted 15.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.1 spg and 0.5 bpg on splits of 58.0 / 39.7 / 82.7, numbers the fourth-year pro should be able to replicate in 2025-26.
Essential Resources for Fantasy Basketball Success
Check out RotoWire's How to Play Fantasy Basketball guide for a complete walkthrough, but here is some basic advice:
- Check out custom NBA Fantasy Projections
- Look into Fantasy Basketball Mock Drafts
- Listen to a Fantasy Basketball Podcast
- Check in on Fantasy Basketball Player News
- Read Fantasy Basketball Articles
- Dive into RotoWire's Fantasy Basketball Draft Kit
- Study NBA Depth Charts
- See RotoWire's Fantasy Basketball Dynasty Rankings
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