The Miami Heat have added even more star power to their roster by acquiring Klay Thompson following his departure from the Dallas Mavericks. The four-time NBA champion will join forces with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, creating a trio with immense quality, experience, and diverse playing styles. Miami is banking on Thompson’s perimeter shooting to space the floor for the “Greek Freak,” as well as Adebayo’s defensive versatility.
However, impressive trios do not always make history. Several teams have assembled three All-Stars with championship aspirations, only to see their ambitious plans collapse due to injuries, poor on-court chemistry, or flawed roster construction.
Kevin Durant – James Harden – Kyrie Irving
Brooklyn Nets, 2021-22
Arguably the most talented offensive trio that never got the chance to show its true potential. The Nets acquired Harden in January 2021, joining a roster that already featured Durant and Irving. In the mere 16 games they played together, Brooklyn boasted a 13-3 record, showcasing flashes of an unstoppable offense. However, constant absences prevented them from building any consistency.
Injuries to Harden and Irving proved decisive against the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, and subsequent off-court issues made the situation even more complicated. Harden left for Philadelphia, and the Nets concluded this incredibly expensive experiment having won just a single playoff series.
Kobe Bryant – Steve Nash – Dwight Howard
Los Angeles Lakers, 2012-13
In the summer of 2012, the Lakers paired Kobe Bryant with two-time MVP Steve Nash and the premier center of that era, Dwight Howard. Pau Gasol was also part of the equation. On paper, this was a team that looked capable of immediately contending for a championship.
In practice, nothing worked as planned. Injuries, coaching changes, and Kobe’s problematic relationship with Howard prevented the Lakers from building chemistry. They finished with a 45-37 record and were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. The ambitious project lasted just one season, as Howard departed the following summer.
LeBron James – Anthony Davis – Russell Westbrook
Los Angeles Lakers, 2021-23
The Lakers tried once again to create a “Big Three,” placing Russell Westbrook alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The three of them boasted heavy resumes, titles, and individual accolades, but their on-court coexistence presented problems from the very beginning.
A lack of perimeter shooting, the need for all three to have the ball in their hands, and injuries to LeBron and Davis led to a disastrous first season. The Lakers finished the 2021-22 campaign with a 33-49 record, missing even the Play-In tournament. The trio played together in just 21 games before Westbrook was traded midway through the following season.
Kevin Durant – Devin Booker – Bradley Beal
Phoenix Suns, 2023-25
The Suns sacrificed a significant portion of their depth and future draft picks to surround Durant and Booker with Bradley Beal. In doing so, they created a trio of elite scorers, but one that shared too many similar traits and was not supported by a balanced roster.
In 2024, Phoenix was swept 4-0 by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. A year later, they collapsed entirely, finishing the season at 36-46 and missing the Play-In. The Suns subsequently dismantled the experiment, trading Durant and waiving Beal.
Kawhi Leonard – Paul George – James Harden
Los Angeles Clippers, 2023-24
The addition of Harden gave the Clippers three of the top offensive players of their generation. After a rocky start, the team found its rhythm and looked capable of making a deep run in the West.
As happened many times during the Leonard and George era, injuries struck at the most critical moment. Kawhi played in just two games of the series against Dallas, and the Clippers were eliminated in the first round. George departed a few months later, putting an end to this short-lived iteration of a “Big Three.”
Hakeem Olajuwon – Charles Barkley – Scottie Pippen
Houston Rockets, 1998-99
Towards the end of the ’90s, the Rockets united three legends of the sport. Olajuwon had already led Houston to two championships, Barkley was chasing the first ring of his career, and Pippen was coming off six titles with the Bulls.
The trio, however, was formed a bit too late. The players were in the twilight of their careers, and Pippen never truly adjusted to the Rockets’ offense. Houston posted a 31-19 record in the lockout-shortened 1999 season but was eliminated by the Lakers in the first round. Pippen’s relationship with Barkley deteriorated, and the experiment ended within a single year.
The Lesson for the Heat
Miami’s case presents one significant difference: Thompson does not need to dominate the ball to be effective. His shooting and off-ball movement can perfectly complement the games of Giannis and Adebayo.
The key for the Heat will be the health of the 36-year-old guard, whether there will be enough spacing with Giannis and Bam on the floor at the same time, and the quality of the rest of the roster. Big threes win the offseason headlines. Championships, however, are won through chemistry, availability, and clearly defined roles.